Remove front bumper to change tow hook surround?

[dboot66]

So I really don't like the dark gray plastic trim piece that surrounds the front tow hooks on my 2015 Sierra SLT AT CC. I'm in the process of dechroming the entire truck, and also blacking out the grill. I know I could plasti-dip the dark gray piece, but I looked online and I purchased a new black (GM calls the color anthracite) tow hook surround piece for $69. It's a solid black plastic piece, and if it gets rock chips or anything it will still be black under the rock chip.

 

I have read on another thread that you probably have to remove the entire front lower bumper in order to change out this plastic trim piece. I took it to a body shop in town, and the guy said he needs to remove the bumper also and wants 3.5 hours labor to do the job.

 

Is this correct? Do you really have to remove the entire front bumper to change out this plastic trim piece? Has anyone out there replaced this piece without removing the front bumper?

 

Thanks for any assistance.

[Mike1220]

I know that removing the bumper will make this a lot easier. Im not sure if it'll take 3.5 hours to do. If you feel confident with a wrench/ratchet you can do it yourself. If you have a friend that can come help you then it'll make it a lot easier. I know I can a have my front end off in about 25-30 minutes or maybe a little less from popping the hood to putting the bumper down on the ground (it would be about 15-20 minutes but my bull bar gets in the way). First time you remove the bumper it seems like the average number I've seen from a few ppl who have mentioned how long it took them, it's between about 45 minutes to an hour. Then changing you'll have to remove the black metal mounts that hook to the bumper that also mount the bumper to the truck. And once those are off then you can remove the tow hook surrounds as easily as possible. I had to remove mine early on in ownership to paint the insert in the bumper and reshape it when it got messed up from someone backing into it at Home Depot.

[dboot66]

Appreciate the info. But, is there anyone who has changed out this part WITHOUT removing the front bumper? And, if so, can you give directions as how to do this?

[MIameow]

So I really don't like the dark gray plastic trim piece that surrounds the front tow hooks on my 2015 Sierra SLT AT CC. I'm in the process of dechroming the entire truck, and also blacking out the grill. I know I could plasti-dip the dark gray piece, but I looked online and I purchased a new black (GM calls the color anthracite) tow hook surround piece for $69. It's a solid black plastic piece, and if it gets rock chips or anything it will still be black under the rock chip.

 

I have read on another thread that you probably have to remove the entire front lower bumper in order to change out this plastic trim piece. I took it to a body shop in town, and the guy said he needs to remove the bumper also and wants 3.5 hours labor to do the job.

 

Is this correct? Do you really have to remove the entire front bumper to change out this plastic trim piece? Has anyone out there replaced this piece without removing the front bumper?

 

Thanks for any assistance.

Could you list part # and where you purchased it from? Thanks

[dboot66]

Could you list part # and where you purchased it from? Thanks

Part # 22902312 and I ordered it from iamgmparts.com

[LaVaDog]

I nailed a huge boulder and scuffed the lower air dam, tow hook surround & license plate delete cover. I bought the tow hook surround from the dealer to replace it. One I got into the job, you have to remove the bumper to replace it. I just returned the part to the dealer. I guess I will just live with the scuff.

[irish4life8911]

I just want to follow this thread bc Ive been thinking about plasti dippin mine and removing the lower air valence.

 

In the process off dechroming mine too

[rdhower3]

Nope you have to remove the front bumper. It's actually very easy to do and not hard at all. I had to remove it to get one bolt out on the driver side tow hook to install my bully bar. It was a pain, because of the way they designed the whole front end and how everything is bolted together, but honestly it's not bad removing. First time seems kind of rough, but I'd do it again in a heartbeat.

[Bonker]

It can be done without removing the bumper, here is the link.

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/170977-2014-sierra-how-to-take-off-lower-grillecover/