FX4 tow hook install on NON FX4 Package Maverick - doesn't fit [VIDEO]

[2022EOW]

Ford is making a big deal out of the BED and FITS customization and DIY utility.. They've said nothing, that I've heard about easy DIY off-road upgrades.

You may have to wait a while, or just add the FX4 package to your vehicle.

That said, it does suck that some of your hopes have been dashed.

I know less than jack about off road driving and off road mods, so I am no hp there. Good luck and I hope you are either able to add FX4 to your Maverick, or find a reasonable way to add front tow hooks.

Most likely because this is not the best platform for off-road upgrades. How many lifted Sante-Fe's with big tires and wheels do you think there will be? Honda Ridgelines? None, because they are not good platforms for it.

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[vabchusa]

Well I don't know how far the OP, Mrboom is willing to go helping with this, but I have made a diagram which may show how this problem can be solved.

Bolt (A) holds or bolts frame/parts (B) and (C) together.

Are parts (B) and (D) in this diagram the same part, attached or welded together somewhere as to be connected?

A hook could be easily fabricated to use the existing factory two 12mm bolts up front and the rear attachment point could be BOLT (A). It looks like a very strong anchoring point. How strong is the point that bolt (A) holds together?

This would allow a modified hook to be bolted on without welding the frame. It may still not be as strong as a factory FX4 but it could allow a strong 3rd mounting point without welding and get the job done.

Any thoughts Mrboom? Does this make sense?

The long bar on the orginal towhooks is made to slide back in event of front end collision so as to not interfere with the design collapsible front bumper.

 

[04mach146]

Welding anything to the frame will instantly void the warranty, especially the 5 year corrosion warranty. Welding will require grinding off paint to expose metal to weld to. I ordered the FX4 package so I'm all set, but I personally wouldn't add them later so as to maintain warranty integrity.

Taking a non fx4 vehicle off road voids the warranty as well for any damage caused by such actions..... everyone else keeps wondering why upgrade to fx4 vs tow package.... well now you know. glad I ordered my fx4

 

[jeffdeq]

The long bar on the orginal towhooks is made to slide back in event of front end collision so as to not interfere with the design collapsible front bumper.

Bingo!

 

[vezpa]

The long bar on the orginal towhooks is made to slide back in event of front end collision so as to not interfere with the design collapsible front bumper.

Those two 12mm bolts attached in front wont be stopping this from happening in a crash. That entire unibody will still fold up like an accordion with its crumple zones. We are talking about items used in a controlled pull, not a violent crush backwards.

 

[Zepper]

Enough with the canned style "you get what you payed for" responses. I am so sick of that BS. It is NOT COMMON to change an entire subframe for this simple bolt on.

Every company out there that orders these as work trucks will buy the XL model and any work truck should have or have the ability to install tow hooks for work duty. Ford could have even made it an accessory kit. Every truck should have come with the FX4 style lower bumper, even if the hooks were not installed and could be added for later the cost of hooks and 6 bolts. That is just dumb shit.

I bought a base 2012 RWD Colorado and added the factory front tow hooks $90 and 20 min later.

Thank You FORD for ensuring my Maverick permanently retains the Cheap AF look and inability to pull from the front.

There is an accessory kit.....first you buy the whole fx4 front subframe.....

 

[vezpa]

There is an accessory kit.....first you buy the whole fx4 front subframe.....

Sad but true.

 

[notfast]

Unless you are going in the ditch backwards, you can always use:

The dirt drainage ditch is parallel to the road indefinitely. We first tried pulling the truck out in reverse, but the truck just sunk into the mud a few inches and slid along the ditch. Hence why we re-rigged and dragged the truck up sideways onto the road.

I had one of those D-ring shackles but I never used it. I found it easier and faster to loop a soft shackle through both the safety chain hooks (or around the hitch receiver itself) and loop the tow strap through the soft shackle.

Taking a non fx4 vehicle off road voids the warranty as well for any damage caused by such actions..... everyone else keeps wondering why upgrade to fx4 vs tow package.... well now you know. glad I ordered my fx4

I read that in another thread and still can wrap my head around it. I would like to see what Ford defines as off-road. The road to my old house is a mile of gravel and includes two hill climbs that are a good 20% incline.

My Mazda3 could do that as long as it wasn't raining or wet. It's not like I live way out in the woods in a cabin either; the entire neighborhood has two entrance roads. Most of the houses are on 1- or 2-acre plots.

 

[04mach146]

@notfast honestly I'd like to see what they deemed off road as well and how much but I got the fx4 for many reasons and being able to drive off road was my main reason along with having skid plates

 

[guerro]

The amount of anger in this thread is somewhat shocking. While I agree, Ford should have spent the money and put the mounts on all units, I am surprised by the level of anger with Ford. I wonder what the aftermarket will come up with? Also, was that FX4 just burrowed from the dealer or was it actually purchased? I would not be happy if I purchased that pickup and it had been taken apart previously.

 

[Mrboom_5.0]

The amount of anger in this thread is somewhat shocking. While I agree, Ford should have spent the money and put the mounts on all units, I am surprised by the level of anger with Ford. I wonder what the aftermarket will come up with? Also, was that FX4 just burrowed from the dealer or was it actually purchased? I would not be happy if I purchased that pickup and it had been taken apart previously.

Brand new Vehicles get taken apart all the time before they're sold. All those modified vehicles dealerships sell.. guess what. Get disassembled. And people like my are the ones who do it. I just didn't modify this maverick.

 

[ArizonaLouie]

I ordered an XL AWD 4k Tow. I planned on adding the front hooks.
Am i mad? NO! Disappointed? Yes.
Bottom line is $27K on a cheap AF little do all rig is amazing. Cool your jets and lets see what the aftermarket comes up with.
Thank to the OP for his informative vids

 

[Wire4money]

If there is a true desire for installing tow hooks, I would suggest that you just get a fabrication shop to make a pair of brackets that you can bolt on the frame.

One slight problem, the Maverick has no frame.

 

[Wire4money]

Can y’all help me understand…. I want to flat tow my Mav behind my RV, the hybrid is cleared to do this per the owners manual.
Question: does this tow hook situation described in the video (thanks for posting it!) have any effect on me being able to put the tow bar plate (once the manufacturers have a template) onto my truck? Or is this a situation related to using the truck to pull itself or another vehicle out of the mud?
thanks!

Should not be an issue. Remember, fx4 is awd/2.0 only which is not flat towable. The hybrid is the only flat towable, and none will have tow hook provisions.

 

[jeffdeq]

One slight problem, the Maverick has no frame.

I stand corrected, the correct term is a sub-frame member. However, there has to be a structure present to support the engine/transmission assembly, steering linkages, radiator support, front struts and suspension, and the front impact bumper.
Yes, there is no body on frame like the F-150 and the Super Duty’s, but there are structural sub-frame members to the prevent the sheet metal body from collapsing under its own weight.

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