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Installing Tow Hooks

Silva

By Silva
in Modifications & Accessories

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Silva Enthusiast

Silva

Posted
Posted

Could anyone tell me if installing tow hooks on a 2016 Sierra involves removing the bumper?

mjdxtreme Enthusiast

mjdxtreme

Posted
Posted

From my understanding its the way the bolts are inserted into the frame. The bumper gets in the way.

15_silverado Enthusiast

15_silverado

Posted
Posted

Could anyone tell me if installing tow hooks on a 2016 Sierra involves removing the bumper?

 

I looked closely at the tow hook area under my 2017 the other day when changing the oil. It looks very easy and don't see anything; any brackets; or any frame in the way of the bolts coming out, should be a piece of cake. Basically I think they have changed the design of the frame to bumper brackets that were on the 14-15 which had the bumper frame bracket in the way on the driver's side. But again on my 17 it looks super easy with nothing in the way. I have already ordered the chrome tow hooks, however they came damaged so I just mailed them back today, when I get my replacements and install them I'll report back, should be about 2 weeks until I get them installed. Remind me if I forget to report back.

15_silverado Enthusiast

15_silverado

Posted
Posted

Also a side note for you 14-15 owner's. It looks like you do not have to remove the bumper, but instead get a little creative and only remove the frame to bumper bracket on the driver's side only to get the one bolt out, the passenger side is no issue. Looks like a very easy task and should not refrain you from installing tow hooks if that is your desire. Here is a good video explaining the process. Again this is for only the 14-15 models. My 17 looks to have nothing at all in the way.

 

 

Silva Enthusiast

Silva

Posted
  • Author
Posted

I looked closely at the tow hook area under my 2017 the other day when changing the oil. It looks very easy and don't see anything; any brackets; or any frame in the way of the bolts coming out, should be a piece of cake. Basically I think they have changed the design of the frame to bumper brackets that were on the 14-15 which had the bumper frame bracket in the way on the driver's side. But again on my 17 it looks super easy with nothing in the way. I have already ordered the chrome tow hooks, however they came damaged so I just mailed them back today, when I get my replacements and install them I'll report back, should be about 2 weeks until I get them installed. Remind me if I forget to report back.

Great thanks a lot for the info. Does your bumper trim already have the holes cut out for the hooks? Or are you going to cut the holes yourself? Yeah if you could check back in once they're installed that would be helpful.

 

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

15_silverado Enthusiast

15_silverado

Posted
Posted

Great thanks a lot for the info. Does your bumper trim already have the holes cut out for the hooks? Or are you going to cut the holes yourself? Yeah if you could check back in once they're installed that would be helpful.

 

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

 

My truck already has factory tow hooks, I'm just switching out from black to chrome; so the cut outs in the plastic are already there.

 

If you don't have those cut outs you obviously will have to cut them out fist (start small) or you can probably order that plastic trim piece with the cut outs in place, that's what I would do because I would most likely screw it up trying to cut it. But I don't know how difficult it would be to replace that plastic trim piece. I truly don't believe it would be that hard and don't think the bumper has to come off or anything crazy like that, but it would be an extra expense and task, but probably worth it than cutting. Just my opinion.

 

If you want my black tow hooks I'll sell them cheap. There in perfect condition, I just want chrome to go with my chrome bumper.

Silva Enthusiast

Silva

Posted
  • Author
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My truck already has factory tow hooks, I'm just switching out from black to chrome; so the cut outs in the plastic are already there.

 

If you don't have those cut outs you obviously will have to cut them out fist (start small) or you can probably order that plastic trim piece with the cut outs in place, that's what I would do because I would most likely screw it up trying to cut it. But I don't know how difficult it would be to replace that plastic trim piece. I truly don't believe it would be that hard and don't think the bumper has to come off or anything crazy like that, but it would be an extra expense and task, but probably worth it than cutting. Just my opinion.

 

If you want my black tow hooks I'll sell them cheap. There in perfect condition, I just want chrome to go with my chrome bumper.

 

 

If its not too much to ask for could you take a close up shot of how the cuts are made for the factory tow hook? Would save me a trip to the dealer being its about 30 miles away. I probably will buy a new trim piece too but just want to see how difficult it would be to cut lol.

 

I'm actually torn between which to get! Would love to see a pic of the chrome hooks with the chrome bumper since I can't seem to find a picture online.

15_silverado Enthusiast

15_silverado

Posted
Posted

 

 

If its not too much to ask for could you take a close up shot of how the cuts are made for the factory tow hook? Would save me a trip to the dealer being its about 30 miles away. I probably will buy a new trim piece too but just want to see how difficult it would be to cut lol.

 

I'm actually torn between which to get! Would love to see a pic of the chrome hooks with the chrome bumper since I can't seem to find a picture online.

 

Look here for some photos, these are on a 14-15 but the cutt out will be the same size

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/158868-tow-hook-surround-trim/

 

http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/158868-tow-hook-surround-trim/page-3

  • 4 weeks later...
15_silverado Enthusiast

15_silverado

Posted
Posted

 

Were you able to install the tow hooks on your truck?

I unfortunately was dealing with a really crappy company, that sent me damaged tow hooks, there customer service was terrible to deal with and took forever to replace the tow hooks; which I had to pay for shipping back by the way... redickulous. Sorry for the rant.

 

Anyhow, I just got my replacement set 2 days ago, haven't installed them yet as it's been really cold or wet anyway. Hopefully I'll get them installed over Xmas break. I don't expect any problems should be easy. Check back, I'll let you know.

15GMCSLT Enthusiast

15GMCSLT

Posted
Posted

I've added the recovery hooks to mine as it didn't have them from the factory. Also the new inserts we added as I wanted it to look oem. I had a body shop do mine as to install the new insterts you had to remove the bumper.

 

 

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15_silverado Enthusiast

15_silverado

Posted
Posted

 

Were you able to install the tow hooks on your truck?

Well as usual, I was wrong about nothing being in the way; nothing is ever easy. LOL.

 

Got the passenger side tow hook in no problem, nothing in the way.

 

On the the driver's side there is a bumper bracket preventing the bolt from sliding out after taking the nut off the other side. The bolt has to slide out towards the middle of the truck and there is b bumper support bracket right there in the middle of the bumper preventing the bolt from sliding out all the way. The bracket looks to intragit to take off, so I'm going to cut off the head of the bolt with a sawzal then pull the bolt out the other way; towards the driver's side; away from the middle of the truck. Luckily there is plenty of room in there to get the sawzal. They give you all new hardware,bolts in the tow hook kit, so then when reinstalling the new tow hook I will just slide the bolt in from the driver's side towards the middle of the truck and put the nut on that side instead. Should be fine that way.

 

I'd like to say this is going to be easy but don't want to jinks anything, I borrowed a sawzal from a friend, I'll finish this tommarow one way or another and report back.

 

As for your case though, this should not impact you at all as you have no tow hooks at all right now. You would just install them as I discribed and put the nut on the side towards the middle of the truck where the bumper bracket is.

 

The only problem you will have is cutting out the holes for the tow hooks to protrude through. As another member stated to get the factory tow hook surround trim piece installed the bumper has to come off; and after looking at it that's probably accurate. So it would probably be easier for you just to cut it out yourself. I would just use a 1 inch hole saw drill bit on each end of the tow hook area then cut out the middle in-between the holes you drilled.

 

I did take some pictures, I have no idea how to post pictures and am not real good with computers, so if you PM me your phone number I can text them to you if you like, then you can post them if you want.

Silva Enthusiast

Silva

Posted
  • Author
Posted

Well as usual, I was wrong about nothing being in the way; nothing is ever easy. LOL.

 

Got the passenger side tow hook in no problem, nothing in the way.

 

On the the driver's side there is a bumper bracket preventing the bolt from sliding out after taking the nut off the other side. The bolt has to slide out towards the middle of the truck and there is b bumper support bracket right there in the middle of the bumper preventing the bolt from sliding out all the way. The bracket looks to intragit to take off, so I'm going to cut off the head of the bolt with a sawzal then pull the bolt out the other way; towards the driver's side; away from the middle of the truck. Luckily there is plenty of room in there to get the sawzal. They give you all new hardware,bolts in the tow hook kit, so then when reinstalling the new tow hook I will just slide the bolt in from the driver's side towards the middle of the truck and put the nut on that side instead. Should be fine that way.

 

I'd like to say this is going to be easy but don't want to jinks anything, I borrowed a sawzal from a friend, I'll finish this tommarow one way or another and report back.

 

As for your case though, this should not impact you at all as you have no tow hooks at all right now. You would just install them as I discribed and put the nut on the side towards the middle of the truck where the bumper bracket is.

 

The only problem you will have is cutting out the holes for the tow hooks to protrude through. As another member stated to get the factory tow hook surround trim piece installed the bumper has to come off; and after looking at it that's probably accurate. So it would probably be easier for you just to cut it out yourself. I would just use a 1 inch hole saw drill bit on each end of the tow hook area then cut out the middle in-between the holes you drilled.

 

I did take some pictures, I have no idea how to post pictures and am not real good with computers, so if you PM me your phone number I can text them to you if you like, then you can post them if you want.

 

Thanks a lot for the detailed write up this is really helpful! Sucks about not being able to install the driver's side as easily. This is something I will take on pretty soon just need to order the chrome hooks. Will update this topic as soon as I have it finished.

15_silverado Enthusiast

15_silverado

Posted
Posted

 

Thanks a lot for the detailed write up this is really helpful! Sucks about not being able to install the driver's side as easily. This is something I will take on pretty soon just need to order the chrome hooks. Will update this topic as soon as I have it finished.

OK it's done. Not too bad, I had to cut off that bolt head with a sawzal, it took about 10 minutes of cutting, it was tough to cut through but nothing a little paitents can't handle. After that it's easy; just slide the bolt out the other direction. Then when reinstalling just slide the bolt in from the left and put the nut on other side; towards the middle of the truck; easy. Just like I stated more in detail from my previous post.

 

This all could of been avoided if gm would have put the bolt through that way to begin with, but we all know they don't like to make things easy. Thanks gm. LOL.

  • 1 year later...
JohnEaton54 Enthusiast

JohnEaton54

Posted
Posted

The chrome tow hooks for my new 2018 Denali are due to arrive today.  I was under the front of the truck this morning and discovered the issue this thread has so perfectly pointed out. 

Passenger’s side is no problem, (I had the existing hook off and back on in just a few minutes). On the driver’s side, the frame will interfere.  Before seeing this thread and seeing the Greg Hicks Recovery Hooks Removal video, my thinking was cut off one bolt head on the driver’s side and reinstall the new long bolt that comes with the new hooks from the other side. 

I just got back from Home Depot where I purchased two, one 6” and one 9” Diablo Demon Carbide-Tipped Thick Metal Cutting Reciprocating Saw Blades.  (At nearly $30 for the pair they should be pretty good blades)

Before I resort to sawing up my new truck, I think I will give Greg Hicks’ method a try.  Then again, I’m not anxious to take a crowbar to my new truck either.

I’ll report back, hopefully with good news.

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