has anyone put tow hocks on the factory bumber. i have the xl and i was thinking of putting tow hocks on the bumber by either using the holes that arer already there or drilling them were i want them. how much do you think it could pull without a ripping the bumber off? or b start to disform it?

i have a 2wd drive so ill probley only use them if i get stuck and need to pull it out from the front and dont feel like crawling under the truck to attach a strap to the frame

 

They go on the frame, not the bumper.

 

yeah i know, but do do that i would have to cut holes in the bumber, which i dont what to do

 

id just order a bumper from an xlt 4x4... the 1 with 2 holes in it... then you can easily get an exhaust shop to weld the tow hooks on it. you can get a bumper for about 100$ and sell your used 1 also if its perfect condition

 

Would you rather see your bumper go flying off & smash someone's skull? If you don't want to do it RIGHT, don't do it. The '92-96 bumper isn't mounted to the frame solidly enough to pull on it, or even push with it. It's totally cosmetic & sacrificial.



The '80-91 bumper is mounted better, but it's still not strong enough to pull on.

The holes in the turbo-diesel style bumper (offered as an option on '94-96 1/2-tons) don't line up with the frame, so they're useless for this.

For some GOOD ideas on how to pull, look thru all the photos in this thread.