pbrmeasap
Well-Known Member
Agree with other installation notes and suggestions, particularly that this was a fairly massive PIA. I found that removing the push pins in both front fender liners (wheels removed of course) allowed for better access to the dreaded fender bolt. Used the dewalt right angle attachment to both remove and reinstall. I went with keeping the belly pan attached to the front bumper cover and r & i both as a unit. This also required removing the push pins holding the brake ducts to the fender liners as well so they stayed attached to the bumper cover. Thus, is really a two person operation in reinstalling the cover as the ducts need to align and clear the cooling lines and cross members correctly.
The other major issue that I had was that the tow hook receiver did not extend far enough forward into the grill to allow for the tow hook to then screw in far enough to have sufficient gripping power. Thus, had to remove everything and add in several stainless washers as spacers. This pushed the receiver more towards the honeycomb grill so that the hook could screw in enough to hold securely. Blue thread lock also used. Here's hoping will never have to find out if an actual tow hook retrieval will be successful.
If had to do again, may try and find a body shop to tackle this, although I feel the end result is most likely superior. Again, cannot understand why Ford didn't install these from the get go. I had recently corresponded with Ford Performance via chat and asked them why was not installed - their response was only that this was a common question they received and would take to engineering, or something along those lines.
The other major issue that I had was that the tow hook receiver did not extend far enough forward into the grill to allow for the tow hook to then screw in far enough to have sufficient gripping power. Thus, had to remove everything and add in several stainless washers as spacers. This pushed the receiver more towards the honeycomb grill so that the hook could screw in enough to hold securely. Blue thread lock also used. Here's hoping will never have to find out if an actual tow hook retrieval will be successful.
If had to do again, may try and find a body shop to tackle this, although I feel the end result is most likely superior. Again, cannot understand why Ford didn't install these from the get go. I had recently corresponded with Ford Performance via chat and asked them why was not installed - their response was only that this was a common question they received and would take to engineering, or something along those lines.
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