I have the trailer hitch on the back of my 2007, so there is not easy option for a recovery hook. But I was able to get a 2009 rear tow hook from the classified section and installed it tonight on my 2007. It was a piece of cake. All you need are 3 5/8 grade 8 bolts, nuts and lock washers (lowes).

Its just 6 bolts to take the rear bumper of, and the frame is totally open to drill straight into. The total install was about 1 hour. I attached a few pics. I'm pretty happy with the results. What do you guys think?

If you decide to drill all the way through the frame and run a 5" bolt through remember that the frame rails are only 1/8" thick sheet metal, when you tighten the bolts you run the risk of bending the frame rails in; so make sure you put a piece of 3/4" steel tube inside the frame rail, then run the bolt through that. It will prevent the rail from bending in when you tighten the crap out of the bolts.

 

Looks good, do you have any pics of where you drilled into the frame?

 

I don't have those pics, but its really easy to drill strainght into the exposed frame when the bumper is off. There are 2 holes on the side and one on the bottom of the frame rail that you need to drill. Its very straight forward

 

Instead of drilling holes in your frame could'nt you use a shackle receiver? Like this one?, http://www.montanajacks.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=853 Well anyways, the install looks awesome! Very clean and looks factory!

 

except you need the 2" version...

I got one at Tractor Supply for under $30... except the d-ring is mounted 90* off from the others...looks weird...but still good for recovery purposes.

 

Making the pics click free...

 

at first i thought 'who cares?' but saw what you meant about the hitch being in the way. wonder if the same can be done w/the '07 tow hook? nicely done man and nice lookin' dual exhaust too!

 

You cant do the same with the 07/08 tow hook because it mounts on the rear crossbar right behind the back bumper. The bumper hanger and other welds are in the way for you to move it off center. Even if the welds and hangers were not in the way, the 07/08 hook would interfere with my volant exhaust, so this worked out pretty well for me.

 

I wonder if they've come out with an accessory kit yet to do it w/o drilling into the frame. Either that or the '09 frame is threaded in that area like the center of the rear cross member.

Mine has the hole in the frame, but it would need some nutcerts to attach the bolts too if you wanted to do it w/o drilling.

 

Makes you wonder why they moved it to the center to begin with. The TJ had it on the left side just like the 09s.