How To Install Bull Bar On F150 Without Tow Hooks – Cracked The Easy Way To Do It!

The bull bars are used for adding a protective layer to your truck front exterior. Not only it helps your truck to look a tab bit cooler but also saves from collisions issues. Not installing the bull bar, sometimes cause the f150 truck to face the smack of tree limbs, animals, and so on.

Now the problem can arise when you discover that you’ve got a bull bar that comes with no tow hooks. Before you think about spending more by going through replacement and stuff, why don’t you first figure out how to install bull bar on f150 without tow hooks and see if it works for you. Basically, what we’re here to talk about. Hand With Us!

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How To Install Bull Bar On F150 Without Tow Hooks? – Explaining The Procedure!

If you want to safely and perfectly attach the bull bar on your f150 truck without tow hooks, we suggest getting all the tools. Considering it’s your first time installing the bull bar, prepare a nice work environment to do the steps easily.

Note: It would take 1 hour to install the bull bar on the f150 truck without tow hooks.

Almost all experts suggest newbies read the vehicle owner’s manual before installing the bull bars. Make sure to use a lifter jack to lift the truck for accessing inside the bumpers really quickly.

For your sake, we have given 2 easy-to-follow installation methods based on ford f150 truck models. Now, let’s get started with the installation of a bull bar without tow hooks on f150.

Material You’ll Need

1 Bull Bar.
8 Pieces of Lock Washers 12mm.
1 Driver Mounting Bracket.
4 Flat Washers (for Mounting Bracket to Frame.)
1 Passenger Mounting Bracket.
8 Flat Washers (for Bull Bar.)
4 Bolt Plates.
8 Hex Nuts 12mm.
4 Hex Head Bolts.
A Ratchet Wrench.
A Wire.
A Utility Knife

Align The Bolts and Bolt Plates

Start by finding the location where you have to attach the bolts and bolt plates. It will be underneath your f150 truck. All you need is a wire to place it on top of the bolts and bolt plates.

Then, pull one side of the wire while another side is firmly grasped. This way the bolts and platers will go through the hole easily. If you have successfully done the process, then be sure to do the same thing to the driver-side too.

Insert The Mounting Brackets

In the case of a bull bar fitment, you need to cut a small part of the bumper to reach the place. Just grab a knife or sharp tool and cut the plastic frame of your f150 truck based on the location you want the bull bar to be.

It would be smart if you align the place where you are holing. This part is very important as you are going to install the bull bar through the holes. According to most mechanics, the gap should be about 39-3/4” from both mounting brackets.

Make sure you are cutting it based on the size of the mounting bracket’s vertical position. Next, attach the driver mounting bracket with the flatlock washers on the bolts.

Then, fit the mounting bracket using the nuts and fit them well. And, do the same thing on the passenger-side mounting bracket.

Install The Bull Bar

Now, it’s time for you to fit the bull bar inside the holes that you just made. If you can’t carry the weight of the bullbar, make sure you get help from your friend.

Once you and your friend attach the bull bar, the nuts need to be tightened out for proper fitment. For that, go underneath the f150 truck and use a ratchet wrench to tighten up the first nut.

Then, attach the remaining 2 bolts inside the horizontal holes on the driver mounting bracket. Tighten up nuts inside the bolts using a ratchet wrench.

And also, don’t forget to fasten the second nut that is carrying the bull bar. Do the same thing on the passenger-side mounting bracket.

Level and Adjust The Bull Bar Fitment

If you want the bull bar in a lower or higher position, it needs adjustment and leveling. For that, adjust the bar near the bumper and then tighten up the nuts (positioned horizontally) of the driver-side mounting bracket using the ratchet wrench.

You are able to torque the nuts by pushing the bolts from the other side. Repeat the process on the passenger-side mounting bracket too. And, you are done.

Warring: You should take out the front license plate and bracket before fitting the bull bar. If installing the bull bar hides the license plate, we suggest using a license plate relocation kit for the safe side.

Installation Procedure For 2018-2021 Ford F150 Trucks

Step-1: Insert the driver bolts and bolt plates underneath the f150 truck frame. To reach the place directly, you will notice plastic covers near the location of two hooks. Since you’ll install the bull bar without tow hooks, so remove the cover and insert all the hardware through it.

Step-2: Next, attach the driver mounting bracket, washers, and nuts to secure the bolts. Now, loosely fit the nuts into the bolts.

Step-3: Insert the passenger side bolts and bolt plates by reaching through the bumper. And then, install the mounting bracket washers, and nuts just like you have done to the driver side. Be sure to fit the nuts loosely.

Step-4: Align the gaps of the bracket and outer bracket flanges to ensure better fitment of the bull bar. Now, connect the bull bar to the mounting brackets.

Step-5: After finding the right position, go underneath of f150 truck. Then, insert 2 bolts along with nuts on both driver and passenger-side mountain brackets to fit tightly. Be sure to use a ratchet wrench to tighten them up well.

Warning: You have to remove the 3 nuts that are attached to the plastic covers of the front bumper. And, if your f150 truck has a front camera, adjust it to see well.

Some Tricks That Help Installing the Bull Bar

Fitting the bull bar into your f150 would be easier if you know the tricks that lessen the hard work. In short, the following tricks will stop you from making a silly mistake during the installation period. So, let’s check them out:

The nuts of the bull bar should be fitted according to the instruction. For that, you need to use torque just as suggested. And, confirm that all the nuts and bolts are attached rightly.
If your bull bar needs drilling, align the areas where you want to make holes. And, wear safety gloves while drilling on the bull bar.
Clean the surface after installing the bull bar. Most experts suggest using a high-quality wax once you have done installing it. This way the bar will shine with a protective finish.
Since the bull bar is quite heavy and large, asking for your friend’s help will be a great solution if you can’t do it yourself.
Always protect your eyes to avoid personal injury. Get a safety glass or google when going under the truck.

How Much Does It Cost to Install a Bull Bar?

If you are one of those who are too afraid to make any changes to their loving f150 trucks, then it’s totally okay to seek help from a professional mechanic. But, the installation cost done by experts will be around $300 to $500.

Not to mention the price of a bull bar is around $1,000 to $3,000 based on the quality and design. By counting in total, you may need to pay a huge price.

And, the reason why you are looking for the installation guide is that you don’t want to hire a professional mechanic to insert the bull bar due to the installation cost, right? As the installation is not that hard, most people do it themselves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is it legal to fit bull bars?

Well, using bull bars on f150 trucks is not illegal. As long as the bull bars you are using aren’t covering the license plate on your truck, it is okay to use. If the bull bars are blocking it, then you will break the law of keeping the front license plate visible.
Apart from that, installing the bull bars is not a problem. However, the Department for Transport suggests not to use them as they can cause serious injury to others.

Do bull bars affect insurance?

If you are using the bull bars on your f150 truck, it won’t void warranty assurance. As long as you are not making a fixed change by installing parts, the warranty will cover the promised deflects for a certain time.
Also, the bull bars you are using need to be legal so that ford offers protection. If not, the warranty will be void by the brand since it is not approved for the MOT.

What is the purpose of a bull bar on a truck?

Most people use bull bars on their trucks to increase robust protection. To avoid a collision or being hit by other cars that will damage the truck’s exterior, the bull bars do a great job. Also, they will protect the truck exterior from animals, trees, cars, and other vehicles.
Besides, installing the bull bars does improve the truck’s exterior appearance. And, they give great safety against negative impact on the road.

Wrap Up

And that’s all on how to install a bull bar on f150 without tow hooks. We added a few more notes and tried to answer some of the very frequently asked queries on this whole situation. Does it sound a bit less hectic and confusing than before? Hopefully!

Your truck does deserve that extra layer of protection. And adding a bull bar is one of the most essential favors you can do to it. So, for some minimal issues faced during the installation, don’t keep it assigned for later. Get the things sorted and have your bull bar properly installed. If it seems absolutely complex, ask an expert to help you out as the last resource of solution.

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How To Install Bull Bar on F150 Without Tow Hooks – Cracked the Easy Way to Do It!