That is a pissah idea (use a socket)... Stupid me, I scraped the punch I was
using (too small) and ended up using a 1/2" socket extension as a punch but
didn't think to put a socket on the end of it... Damn, that would have saved a
knuckle or too! :-)
I forget who originally asked about this, but if you think you're gonna' go for
it I have some pictures of what we're talking about... Just give me your
private email address if ya' want them.
Oh yeah, one thing I forgot. The instruction call for cutting up the splash
shield. It probably made the final install more difficult but I didn't have to
cut anything... I wanted as much splash protection as possible. FWIW.
Tom
______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Re: DML: Mopar tow hooks, install
Author: <dakota-truck@buffnet.net> at smtpout
Date: 6/24/99 8:02 AM
I installed my tow hooks in just over an hour, start to finish. I had an
idea of what I was in for based on what other people said about the install
and I read the instructions several times to become familiar with the
procedure. I too ran into the problem where two of the nuts provided did not
fit the bolts they were matched up to. I could not find metric hardware I
was happy with so I replaced the two metric bolts with 9/16" grade 8 nuts
and bolts. They fit the holes drilled by Mopar perfectly and I didn't have
to locate a hex driver to fit the metric bolts either. That was another area
that caused a snag. I may have found a little piece of magic for removing
the stock bumper bracket bolts. Instead of using a punch as is recommended,
I used a cheap 1/2" drive ratchet extention that's about 6" long. I placed
the female end over the end of the bolt and whacked the male end. A piece of
1X2 pine wedged between the frame and radiator support was the perfect shim
to prevent flexing. With the extention in place, you can use both hands on
your hammer of choise. I found that my LARGE rubber mallet was just about
perfect. Once very hard hit and the bolt was on it's way across the garage.
Good luck.
John
98 Dakota 4X4 CC Sport, 5.2L, Auto, Leach headers, DDBC
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