Bumper,
body,
grill, &
header removed for clarity.
IF THE IMAGE IS TOO SMALL, click it.
These brackets allow many adjustments so they can fit variations in frame width, bumper height, and recovery point design. But virtually any towing eye that fits '97-20 F150s will fit '92-96 Broncos (& some '92-97 F-series) with these brackets.
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The side brackets are designed to sit on the Bronco sway bar tabs at "normal" height, which should also work for most body lifts. If the body mounts are collapsed (they should be replaced), or if the recovery points are too close to the bottom of the (properly-adjusted) bumper, then the entire system can be lowered by cutting off the distance needed (maximum of ~3/4" drop) at the area indicated in yellow from each side bracket. The crossbar can be mounted in any of 4 positions, but there may be interference with the ATF cooler tubes requiring slight bending of the tubes, or a small notch to be cut in the crossbar so the tubes don't rub it. For the best fit, the body & bumper should be centered on the frame, and the body mounts must be tight enough to keep it there (black Energy poly is recommended).
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Installation:
1) mark the bumper relative to the body for alignment later, using an alcohol-erase marker &/or low-adhesion painter's tape (e.g. 3M Blue)
2) pull the rubber air dam inside the bumper down & fold it back behind the core support, on top of the sway bar if present; the grill (five #2 Phillips screws) may also be removed for access from above
3) remove the 4 bumper arm nuts (21mm); straighten the bumper & its arms if necessary; (if present) cut 4 slits into the air dam (F2TZ-17626-A) where indicated in this photo album, score and fold the tabs rearward & down to allow the towing eyes to protrude
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4) sight across the frame rails along the bumper tabs and bend them into line with each other using a
large adjustable wrench
5) place each side bracket behind the bumper tab with the back of the bracket resting on the sway bar tab and the flat side of the bracket against the frame rail (LHF & RHF markings visible); if necessary, mark then cut the plastic filler (F2TZ-17A861-A Right; F2TZ-17A861-B Left) below each headlight to clear the brackets
6) loosely install the bumper with its arms' 4 bolts back through the frame tabs & the side brackets; adjust the bumper UP as far as possible without touching the body
7) position the nut plates in the side brackets above the bottom holes; loosely start the rear towing eye bolts (15mm) up through the crossbar (in your selected orientation) & brackets up into the nut plates
8 ) push the eyes (or shackle mounts) through the air dam, & hook them onto the rear bolts; install the front towing eye bolts, & check for clearance below the bumper (which must be at its proper height to the body)
9) if there is interference, note the vertical distance needed to clear the bumper, then remove the bumper, bolts, & side brackets; cut the necessary clearance height (~3/4" max.) from the bottom rear of each side bracket, indicated in yellow in this image, then repeat steps 5-8
10) ensuring proper alignment to the body, tighten the bumper nuts (21mm) to 45-60 lb-ft
11) tighten all 4 tow eye bolts (15mm) to 59 lb-ft (78 Nm)
12) reset the rubber air dam from the core support into the bumper & remove/erase any alignment marks
Actual shipping dimensions: 33x9x4" @19 lbs (brackets only)
Cast iron eyes: 13 lbs/pr
Aluminum eyes: 6 lbs/pr
Fabricated steel: 12 lbs/pr
Fabricated short: 7.5 lbs/pr
Imported shackle mounts: 10 lbs/pr
