Concern with Buying Used Maverick with Aftermarket front tow hooks?

[Hot Runr Guy]

The YT video in a related thread explains the frame and support plates on a FX4 version versus a hybrid and their limitations. I'm looking at the installation of front hooks on my hybrid for emergency/limited use and I'm not ready to cut up the front fascia until I'm sure where the anchor points will be and the effectivness of the install.

I've already contacted Blue Ox, and attempted to purchase just the mounting brackets, to attempt the same end goal. With their 3-point mounting, I'm confident the strength is there. Just need to be creative and create a female thread so that a screw-in recovery hook (like the BS uses on the rear).

https://www.blueoxtowbars.com/media/installation_instruction/BX2690.pdf

HRG

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[Deleted member 30736]

When I see a vehicle that's been butchered like that, I wonder about all the redneck engineering that's been done that I can't see. I've done far too many restorations and cussed way too many previous owners....

 

[Nw_adventure]

I would run fast from that rig - Yikes

 

[realshelby]

Those are Blue Ox base plate tabs extending through the very much hacked up front fascia. Yes, that Maverick likely has a lot more actual miles on it than odometer shows as flat towing behind an rv does NOT add miles to the odometer.
BLUE OX baseplates on Mavericks are unsafe to use! I and at least one other member here have had them FAIL in use!
The electrical you see may not even touch any part of the Maverick factory wiring. Mine has a 6 pin like that...but independent wiring all the way back to the tail lights. I installed separate bulb sockets into the maverick tail light housings. NOTHING in the factory wiring is spliced or tapped into.

 

[Tommkent]

It's a Blue Ox Base plate designed to be towed. The Maverick Hybrid is the only Maverick you can flat tow and it does not harm the vehicle. It's what I have been using. Reference page 292 of the owner's manual.

 

[Exranger]

If you do keep it, a couple pieces of black textured abs plastic cleverly cut and placed over those hooks would make it look like a complete install

 

[Timothyd]

I just purchased a used 2023 Lariat that is in good shape and I really like it. However, I realized after reviewing the threads on here that the front tow hooks and 6 pin connector were not part of the Ford tow package (this is not the 4x4 Maverick) and were an aftermarket job. I'm still in the 5 day grace period on the purchase from the dealer (it wasn't a Ford dealership). It does not seem like this modification would void any warranties, but should I be concerned about this modification or go get it checked out by a Ford shop? It's not the cleanest cut job on the front panels but I'm less concerned about the aesthetic impact. It looks like it was possibly used to pull behind an RV.

Despite being a little unclean cut job I wouldn't see much of a problem. Easy enough to improve and it actually raises the value.
It's not like it was off roaded or used in hauling or abused.

 

[Timothyd]

It appears who ever cut the front bumper to install the mounting points used an axe (and missed a few times). With that terrible workmanship I would question the entire install. Do you even need a flat-towable Maverick?

I could never un-see that and personally would walk away as I have zero need to tow my Maverick and could not live with that front end now, but you do you.


.

Yeah, now that you're looking right at it but he didn't see it till later so it can't be so bad and I can see a few ways to improve it. I'm less concerned about the appearance than the electrical connections.

 

[FamousAmos]

I just purchased a used 2023 Lariat that is in good shape and I really like it. However, I realized after reviewing the threads on here that the front tow hooks and 6 pin connector were not part of the Ford tow package (this is not the 4x4 Maverick) and were an aftermarket job. I'm still in the 5 day grace period on the purchase from the dealer (it wasn't a Ford dealership). It does not seem like this modification would void any warranties, but should I be concerned about this modification or go get it checked out by a Ford shop? It's not the cleanest cut job on the front panels but I'm less concerned about the aesthetic impact. It looks like it was possibly used to pull behind an RV.

From a layman's (Accountant) point of view, you need to do two things:
1. Check with Ford re. any warranty effect, and
2. Have a machine shop evaluate the weld job. Like someone on here said, if the cutout job was so sloppy, maybe the weld job is also. If it is, you don't want to learn it the hard way.
Good luck, and I hope you are happy with your truck and its price.

 

[RLmesc]

Get it checked out by a real Ford dealer or good body shop, to see what those "hooks' are connected to. If it was bolted into the uni-body rails, they may have torn them. As far as I've seen only the Ford connections for their tow hooks are strong enough to grab a hold of.

 

[Hot Runr Guy]

2. Have a machine shop evaluate the weld job.

The installation instructions for that Blue Ox product are linked in a thread above, there is no welding required. Not sure where you got that impression?

HRG

 

[TheWizziard]

Yes, it is the 2023 2.5L hybrid

What you have is an It is an aftermarket "baseplate". It is for flat towing the maverick behind a motorhome. The tubes you see sticking out are where the drawbars are mounted.

As others have stated the cutouts for the tubes is a little rough. This should be only cosmetic. If you are planning to use the base plate you should check or have someone check that the baseplate is properly installed.


I asked if it was a hybrid as only the hybrid is able to be flat towed.

 

[starznbutrflyz]

His Mav looks like mine I also bought used. 2022 hybrid xl. The fascia makes my stomach turn and they definitely screwed the wiring as my tail lights were not functioning properly. I took it back to the dealer and had them remove the wire job at the taillights so they functioned correctly. I do wonder if the one actually for the fx towing fits a hybrid though???

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