Front Tow Hooks-2004.5 HOW TO REMOVE?

[BKneeland]

I would like to weld-UP a front brush guard for my 2004. 5 4x4/manual transmission truck and want to remove the tow hooks and mount the brush guard to the same tow hook locations. Got under the truck and removed (on the drivers side) the most exposed bolt (head is 1/2", nut on the back side is 15mm) looks like one other of the 4 bolts will be easy to remove. THE PROBLEM is access to the back-side nuts to get a socket or wrench on the 2 nuts (closest to the radiators). Access to these 2 nuts appears to be more than challenging as space is limited between (not a direct shot) the radiators and bracket. Second problem is the space/opening on the front bumper directly in front of the outside lower tow hook bolt is not large enough to get a socket on the bolt head... ... ... ... . (maybe my wobble socket might work)

I could torch the bolt heads off, but gaining access to the new nuts on the back side for the new guard IS STILL A PROBLEM. I've had to make lots of modified tools in the past but this one NOT SURE ABOUT.

Using the tow hook locations to mount most front accessories would be a PERFECT LOCATION... ... ... ... had Dodge designers had their HEADS thinking correctly... ... ... ... .

 

[AH64ID]

I had to pull the bumper to install mine.

 

[BKneeland]

How does this facilitate getting to the 2 nuts on the back side that are almost concealed (looking from underneath the truck towards the back side of the bumper) between the radiator and bracket for each tow hook? I'll look again, but removing only the bumper may not work-removing the bumper and the bumper bracket MAY WORK?
Appreciate the HELP... ... ... .....

 

[AH64ID]

Maybe some pics?

I recall everything being quite easy to get to.

 

[Gibbs]

BKneeland, if you remove the bumper, you'll have access to the tow hook bolts. Disconnect the fog light (if equipped) harness on the driver's side. Then remove the three nuts (18 mm) behind the bumper with the red arrows. This pic is the pass. side but the drivers side is a mirror image. The lower bolts are easy to get to from the bottom and I removed the top bolt from the top with 18mm socket and my flexhead 3/8" ratchet, which made it a lot easier. The bolts are carriage bolts and are captivated by a star washer retainer thingy so they shouldn't spin when you loosen the nuts. If you take off these 6 nuts, the bumper comes right off. You may have to fiddle with the fender liners a bit where they "groove" into the bumper, but its not hard at all and the bumper is light.