2019 Ram 2500 (6.4 hemi) Tow Hooks install?????

[IdahoEagle]

I ordered tow hooks for my 2019 Ram 2500 Tradesman (6.4 hemi) and I installed them.

Here are the tow hooks I installed:

68349551AD - Tow Hook 2019-2024 Ram | Mopar Factory Parts

Get Your OEM Tow Hook (68349551ad) Delivered Right To Your Door For Your 2019-2024 Ram Vehicle At AN Affordable Price With Nationwide Shipping!

www.moparfactoryparts.com

The problem is there is a ton of play in the hooks. (See video here:

I've been dealing with this problem now for over a week. Even took my truck to a ram dealership nearby and the service manager couldn't tell me how to install them. He just said, "I'm not sure why they aren't tight."

I had already taken the tow hooks out, but I've attached a photo of where I've placed the bolts. Seems pretty straightforward.

Can anyone offer any sort of guidance?
- Kevin

 

[Trophywa]

Just installed the tow hooks also, tons of slop. Went to tractor supply and got two 5/8x 4.5” grade 8 bolts, nuts, washers. Removed the factory front (sand blasted ones) loosened the rear and put one washer on the inside, between hook and frame. Tightened everything up, no slop. Hope this helps

 

[IdahoEagle]

It sounds like we both ended up doing almost the same thing. I ended up using some washers between the the factory bolts and the inside of the bumper arms. Didn't have to remove anything. Worked great.

 

[Trophywa]

Good deal

 

[GABOX78]

Good Morning All !!
I have to do some modifications in order to install thew Tow hooks that didnt come with the truck. So first the part I have to find and replace was the lower grille and I found ti here https://www.moparpartsoverstock.com/p/__/13918252/68384297AA.html PArt #68384297AA
Taking that Lower Grille wasnt fun at all but I was able to doit myself, i did left 4 little screws out since i couldnt installed them again wich i will try again another weekend.

The thing is that the Hooks are loose like you mention here, but I gues I will try that option of adding some washers and see how it works.

**UPDATE - OCT 13/2020**
I went to TSC and got some 5/8" Grade 8 lat washers and some lock washers to just in case and start using just one on the front bolt since i wasnt able to reach on the 2 bolt. The washer got in easily and then I use my torque wrench and apply 80 lbs of torque on the 2 bolt and on the first olt that have the washer I still need to do the torque but I need an extender to reach. Finally the tow hook doesn't have the loose movement anymore, so thank you for the idea you provide here!!

I will post pictures later since The RAM is on the car wash right now getting clean!

 

[Old Dodge]

First I have to say Thanks for the info published.
Purchased a 2020 2500, it didn’t have tow hooks, found 2 on eBay.
Removing the lower grill, I started on the 18 fastener screws and everything went well until I got to the three hideaway screws on each side, those took better Than an hour to remove , you need to be a contortionist to get to them.
looking at the grill from the front it looks to be two parts, so when installing tow hooks you could unsnap the back grill from th bezel, I guess that would have been too simple for Ram to do that, so now I have to order a new lower grill to fit my tow hooks, they want every dollar, these tow hooks are now a $300.00 add on. So bottom line don’t be fooled into thinking that adding tow hooks is a simple and cheap adding.

 

[PaRam]

Old Dodge, I have a 19 3500, how do you get those bolts on the tow hook bezel trim uninstalled- the ones that are behind the tow hooks? I can't find any way to get to them.

 

[Wgmcmurry]

I bought tow hooks on ebay and just trimmed lower grill to fit tow hooks. Washers wouldn't fit in between the frame and hooks. I just tightened bolts a little more until slop was gone. $53 install.

 

[CRAIG4FSU]

I bought tow hooks on ebay and just trimmed lower grill to fit tow hooks. Washers wouldn't fit in between the frame and hooks. I just tightened bolts a little more until slop was gone. $53 install.

Dremel?

 

[Addyover]

I ordered tow hooks for my 2019 Ram 2500 Tradesman (6.4 hemi) and I installed them.

Here are the tow hooks I installed:

68349551AD - Tow Hook 2019-2024 Ram | Mopar Factory Parts

Get Your OEM Tow Hook (68349551ad) Delivered Right To Your Door For Your 2019-2024 Ram Vehicle At AN Affordable Price With Nationwide Shipping!

www.moparfactoryparts.com

The problem is there is a ton of play in the hooks. (See video here:

I've been dealing with this problem now for over a week. Even took my truck to a ram dealership nearby and the service manager couldn't tell me how to install them. He just said, "I'm not sure why they aren't tight."

I had already taken the tow hooks out, but I've attached a photo of where I've placed the bolts. Seems pretty straightforward.

Can anyone offer any sort of guidance?
- Kevin

The loose tolerance is by design I think (unconfirmed). I know a little about mechanical design and when I think about rear hitches and hitch receivers (like the square receiver tubes variant) there is slop/tolerance to allow for easy removal and installs, and to mitigate corrosion from locking the hitch and receiver, seizing them together. As the corrosion expands or decreases dimension tolerances (inner vs outer or female vs male) decreases clearances and root cause for seizer of fit if tolerance is adequate . When I put the front "emergency recover tow bars"(as stated in the manual...nice name...LOL...let's just call them toe bars, I mean "tow bars"), I too had the same thought of looseness. But than looked at the design and we have a hitch and receiver design again with the tow bars fitting inside a structural frame end-box of the 5th gen 2500 3500 truck . This Cast Metal tow hook by design is made to be installed and removed.....This is why I feel the design for tow hook tolerance gap is relevant. I have seen on YouTube people over torquing the two mounting points crushing/forming the frame end-box to tighten against the loose tolerance till no movement is observed. This is a recipe for never being able to service the tow hook or box end of the frame, especially if truck sees winter road salt. Well I am leaving them as designed, I have all Mopar part confirmed compatibility parts for my VIN # and meet the specified torque requirements. Looseness is similar to what I see with rear hitches and receivers....

 

[Addyover]

Old Dodge, I have a 19 3500, how do you get those bolts on the tow hook bezel trim uninstalled- the ones that are behind the tow hooks? I can't find any way to get to them.

I added to the length of the ignition wrench making it easier to reach/access. Still was a chore but easier to remove than install in those areas. Lots of patience required.