How to remove metal cover to install trailer hitch

[vikingleif81]

The 2 bolts holding the metal cover in place are extremely tight but also appear to be way to long to have clearance from the back bumper to be removed. Can anyone advise on this process?

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[coadr]

You have to take the bumper off to install the tow hitch so I assume you also need it off to take the cover plate off

 

[Deleted member 64921]

read this.....

 

[GA2Dr]

Correct - bumper has to come off to remove that bracket. There are a bunch of videos on YouTube - not hard to do. I did it myself to install a Kurt hitch. I would recommend getting someone to help though, as I scratched my plastic bumper a bit trying to take it off myself.

 

[DALOLA]

You can just loosen the rear bumper & pull it back, doesn't have to come all the way off....saves unhooking the wire harness. Not sure why Ford put those ridiculous long bolts in there....

 

[Saltwater Junkie]

Like @Badlands Traveler said. No need to remove bumper. Using a sawzall, I cut off as much exposed threads as possible from the bumper side of the 5" bolts and they backed right out.

 

[Jason N]

I just cut the bolts off on mine and then when installing the hitch put the bolts the other way around as it should've been.

 

[Soulstice]

Can’t remember persons name, has a green Bronco 2d, great videos for full tow install. I will say, maybe bumpers are different, but mine has like 1” tabs that hold it beside two bolts underneath, and I could not really loosen it easily and do the work. Also videos are great but most of the video people are very experienced, so looks easy, and it is, bit little stuff you learn along the way if don’t do it all the time. Like unclicking the harness. Was a pita for me, these guys just grab and unclick, mine did not go like that…and I had a headache putting sensors back properly. They are not installed very good, place bumper gently, the backup sensors are cheap af and barely attached. And my harness points didn’t really “click” on or off, so took a bit to get that all back together. But this was a good learning experience with my Bronco. I also cleaned all the hidden crud building up in bumper, and hit everything with some rust inhibitor while off, if you’ve ever seen a hitch on a vehicle you plan to keep, they are not as weather resistant as one would hope. And I’m a fan of torque settings, which are in videos and in install instructions. Do yourself a favor and take spare off too. Also a good time to add the second tow hook if like that synergy.

 

[MayhemMike]

The Curt hitch I installed did not require removal of the bumper. It was a 15 minute task.

 

[Roger123]

The Curt hitch I installed did not require removal of the bumper. It was a 15 minute task.

In newer models Ford put a giant metal box over the electrical connector that needs to be removed and they used bolts that are 2" too long. Bumper has to be moved to remove them (or as someone suggested the bolts may be able to be cut).

 

[Fast Eddie]

You can just loosen the rear bumper & pull it back, doesn't have to come all the way off....saves unhooking the wire harness. Not sure why Ford put those ridiculous long bolts in there....

Tried that on my 2025, no go. Bumper had to come off...

 

[vikingleif81]

Thanks everyone! At least I know I'm not crazy and Ford made this way too complicated.

 

[TXArea51]

I have to tackle the same thing when my hitch comes in. Question does the trailer light plug have to be activated by dealership or is it plug and play.

 

[Fastmc25]

I just loosened my bumper and was able to get the bolts out.

 

[kcmusa]

I used an impact on them long bolts. One broke the nut thing, had to use channel locks to hold it, then remove bolt.

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