Installing Tow Hooks

2017_whitez71 · September 6, 2018

2 hours ago, JohnEaton54 said:

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.

I would take those blades back to home depot and get some 6" Lenox blades. You can get 5 of them for under $20. That's what I used to cut my bolt head off, took no time to cut through it. I also held the bolt with some vise grips to stop it from spinning. Bolts aren't that hard.

JohnEaton54 · September 7, 2018

^^^^^

Thanks Toby. No doubt good advice. I read some overwhelmingly positive reviews on the Diablo's so I thought I would give them a try.

Sounds like you had good luck with a 6" blade so that's the one I'll try first. If that works, I will return the more expensive 9" blade.

Thanks too for the comment about holding the bolt with vice grips. I plan to do just that. I'm also thinking about securing the vice grips with a nylon tie strap, just to make sure the bolt stays put.

YukonXL04 · September 7, 2018

Using a cutoff wheel makes quick easy work of bolt heads... sawzall will do it fine though, just a little tricky getting the cut started.

Waterfowler41 · September 7, 2018

Using a cutoff wheel makes quick easy work of bolt heads... sawzall will do it fine though, just a little tricky getting the cut started.

I used a rotozip with a carbide blade to slice and dice my bolts for my old bumper guard.

Waterfowler 41’s Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/brittmork

JohnEaton54 · September 7, 2018

The Diablo Demon 6” blade made short work of cutting through the driver’s side long bolt.

The hard part was getting the new chrome hooks, especially the driver’s side through plastic bezels and into the frame. Once in place, the long bolt on the driver’s side was inserted from the opposite side (as it should have been from the factory) and tightened down with the nut.

Now my new Sierra Denali is almost an “Ultimate”. It lacks only 4WD and 22” wheels, neither of which I wanted.

YukonXL04 · September 8, 2018

Nice! It's the little things!

churchy1313 · October 17, 2018

On 11/22/2016 at 10:58 PM, 15_silverado said:

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.

Thank you so much for the video. I had to to the passenger side just like you show doing the driver side on my 2014 Sierra Denali 1500

Victor Peña · October 20, 2019

Has anyone installed any in a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500? Just ordered some red hooks but wondering if I have to remove the plastic guard it has behind the bumper or if I have to cut into it

JimCost2014 · October 20, 2019

21 minutes ago, Victor Peña said:

Has anyone installed any in a 2019 GMC Sierra 1500? Just ordered some red hooks but wondering if I have to remove the plastic guard it has behind the bumper or if I have to cut into it

Welcome to the site!

Dealer should be able to provide instructions, but they should be in the box with the hooks.