2003 Ford Expedition Modifications - Tow Hooks

2003 Ford Expedition: Purchase Date - November 13, 2002; Build Date - September 25, 2002

Installing Tow Hooks - Project Finished

I have a 4x2 '03 Expedition, and I want to install the tow hooks that come standard on the 4x4 Expeditions. I'm not planning on "off roading", but they have come in handy on previous SUVs when I've needed to be towed, or pulled out of a muddy parking lot.

Figure 1 - The Goal

Therefore, I contacted my Ford parts source and ordered the following parts:

Figure 2 - Parts

2L1Z-17A954-AA ( Hooks ) x 2
W706973-S426 ( Bracket ) x 2
N605937-S426 ( Bolts ) x 4

Seemed simple enough, but when I got ready to install, I ran into a huge problem. The brackets (highlighted in red) in Figure 2 need to go inside the frame rail, and the bolts go through the two holes in the bottom of the frame. But there is zero access to the inside of the frame. Figures 3 and 4 show my problem.

Figure 3 - Frame

Figure 4 - Frame

Access to the front is blocked by the metal bumper, and the only holes in the frame are the tie-down points, but the bracket is too big. I now assume that when the tow hooks are installed at the factory, they are installed prior to the metal bumper. Therefore, to complete this modification, I unfortunately had to remove the front bumper cover and metal bumper to gain access to the frame rails to install the bracket.

Figure 5 - Cover Removed

With the bumper cover and bumper removed, I was able to install the brackets in the frame rails, thus installing the tow hooks.

Figure 6 - Bracket Installation

Figure 7 - Tow Hooks Installed

Now, reverse process and install the bumper and bumper cover. Here is the finished modification (finally). :)

Figure 8 - Finished