Install Roadmaster Tow Brackets

2008 Jeep Liberty Limited 4x4

I will try and describe what I learned while installing the Roadmaster Tow Bar Brackets on our 2008 Jeep Liberty Limited, 4x4. I think the most important piece of advice is to read the Roadmaster directions, the DEMCO installation instructions and the Blue OX installation instructions. Each presents items that do not appear in others. Such as DEMCO suggests, through their described method, that you remove the fender flare from the Bumper, leaving the attachment clip on the bumper, whereas Roadmaster suggests disconnecting the fender flare from the bumper and leaving the clips on the fender flare. I will try and add some pertinent photos to help explain what I saw and what you might see.

This is what we start with and hope to end with.

This shows the two Power Steering Cooler hoses that you need to move. I cut the tie that holds them to the radiator frame
and was able to get them out of the way. There is a round "push pin" connector (below the bottom hose) that needs to be removed.

This 10mm head bolt needs to be removed on each side. I believe that is one of the air bag sensors that it is above.

This clip connects the bottom of the fender flare to the bumper. You
can put your hand inside the bottom of the bumper and feel it.

This clip holds the fender flare to the bumper. On the right side you can see a little tab. This needs to be
pushed back, while another tab on the other side of the clip needs to be pulled toward you.

This is a little better picture of the clip that fits into the Bumper.

This is what it looks like after the bumper is removed. The two "black boxes" need to be removed. They cover the frame opening.

There is on piece in the kit that was hard to figure out. There is an "L" shaped bracket with a threaded stud on one part and a welded nut on the other part. The welded nut goes down, lining up with a hole in bottom of the bumper support (horizon part going left to right), while the stud goes through a hole in the back of the bumper support toward the radiator. You then need to put a big flat washer, a lock washer and nut on, in the area between the radiator and the bumper support. Get the nut started as soon as you get the piece in position. I did mine once the bracket was in place and it was a little difficult.

Here the bracket is in position. The bolt goes through the bracket, through the sub frame and into the frame.

Here the bracket is bolted into place.

I have tie wrapped the Power Steering Cooler hoses to the Bracket. Be careful when sliding the outer section of the tow
bracket into place the first time, as the hoses may have worked their way behind the mounted bracket.

Other things:

You will need an 18mm socket for the Sway Bar Bracket nuts.
You will need a 21mm socket for the sub-frame bolt. A short socket would work best, I used a deep socket and got it jammed
between the bolt and the Sway Bar. Pulling the sway bar bracket off is a little difficult, as there is not much flex. I did not put the Jeep up on jack-stands - do not know if that would help or not.

Enlarge the holes in the bottom of the frame rail before you put the brackets on. I used a 1/2" drill with a 1/2" bit to enlarge the holes. You do need to drill one hole on each side through the bottom of the bumper frame. I used the 1/2" drill and started with a 1/16" bit and worked up gradually from there. Seems to be pretty hard steel.

An assistant would be good when putting the bumper cover back on. It is not heavy, just awkward to hold and line up at the same time.

The bumper cover needs to be trimmed in both corners. I did not do a very good job in the trimming process, but it is in an area that you will not see. You can almost remove the entire little area of plastic (it is black) without problem. A sharp "box" knife is what I used to cut it.

Plastic rivets can be cut with side cutters after you loosen them by prying out on them a little. The new ones are installed without problem. I used the instruction in the DEMCO procedure to install them. I did not think to try my rivet tool. It might work.

Took about 8 hours by myself.