That's funny...$230!!! Dealers...

 

This took me about two hours to complete because the instructions aren't the best (for the cutting part). The simple cut on the top is really a difficult cut through two layers of plastic, i wouldn't recommend doing it unless you have a reciprocating saw. I started with a drill bit and a knife thinking I could cut it nice and clean but it made my hands hurt. Luckily we have a brand new reciprocating saw that was just waiting to be opened so i gave it a shot and I was able to complete the cuts in less that five minutes. The install is not bad once you get through the cuts. By the way, be gentle with the plastic clips holding everything together in the bumper, if you try to force em out they will just strip and you'll need to get some new ones. Thats all I got, good luck and youre going to love the new hooks!

If you're good with your hands, install them yourself, it is wayyy too expensive through the dealer and way more satisfying knowing that you did it.

 

Got this mod done today.. took a couple of hours. wanna say thanks to HULKGREEN for getting me some front tow hooks..
got a couple pictures of the cuts
made them all with ease with a hairdryer and a utility knife. heat the thick plastic up and it cuts like butter. the hardest part to cut was the thick stuff where it angled up but there isn't but like an inch so its easy enough.
I found the best tool for removing the air dam is a good pair of steel toed boots
the plastic screws are easy to remove if you first push really hard with your philips screwdriver so that it sticks in them then twist out carefully not to pull it out while unscrewing.
hope this helps anybody


under side cuts

top side cuts.. remember only cut half or so.

finished product

 

Need help on this ones guys. Maybe I'm just too left-brained. I got all the holes cut exactly like Davebloomer (thanks for the pics) and I bolted the hooks on the front bumper securely. I just can't get the plastic bumper over both the hooks and the crush cans to get it back in place. Any hints? The hooks should be completely tightened before you install the plastic bumper, right? I'm assuming you slide the plastic bumper over the hooks then over the cans, but it just doesn't fit. I feel like I'm doing one of those intertwined nail puzzles and failing hard. Doesn't help that it's 20 degrees outside and my hands are getting icey.

TIA.

 

I THINK I understand what you're doing wrong....

On the inside of the bumper, you know the little plates with the bolts on them that go through the end of the frame rails to secure the bumper to the frame? Take those off of the inside of the bumper and replace them with the tow hooks...the bolts on the tow hooks take the place of the previous ones and will attach to the end of the frame rails to secure the bumper. Does that sound right?

 

That is what I have done. I removed the original bolts and replaced with the tow hooks between the steel inner and plastic outer bumpers. I bolted and tightened the steel bumper to the frame with the tow hook bolts and now am trying to get the outer plastic on. Did I need to sandwich the steel bumper, tow hooks and plastic bumper together first before bolting the whole thing to the frame horns?

 

Yep, it should be something like this:

plastic outer shell, then tow hooks, then metal inner bumper, all attached together as one piece. THEN bolt that entire thing to the end of the frame rails.

Hope that helps!

 

I guess the devil really is in the details. After re-reading this entire thread several times and other instructions I found this one little detail that suggests you sandwich the outer plastic, tow hooks and inner metal bumper together then attach to the frame horns as a unit. Just froze my butt off in the driveway (15 degrees) removing all 8 bolts then reattaching - but now it's installed.

After seeing it installed without the plastic outter I really dislike the large factory plastic now and guess l'll be fabbing up some steel simple bumper for the front soon.

 

Glad you got it fixed...

 

OK, so i got my lower airdam off... no problem. I ruined all the plastic screws, but the thing was a POS anyway.

Now I learn that my craftsman socket set only goes up to 17mm... WTF!!! not only did i buy a base X wrangler, but I've got the stripped down socket set too! This is getting rediculous. I'm making a drink.

Anything else I should check on before I go to Sears tomorrow?