Capes

Anyone install a factory hitch by just removing the Valance instead of the whole bumper cover?
I just got a 2017 Trailhawk and was hoping to install the hitch as easily as possible.
I saw a youtube video of someone doing it that way, but he didn't show putting the valance
back on. He jerked it off with brute force. I wonder how many clips he broke.
The valance can be bought as a separate piece. This is the large piece not the small
center piece, which is called a valance also.................

Capes

Ok, I'll answer my own question.
Saw two people on Youtube that suggested yanking off
the lower valance on a new style Cherokee Trailhawk
with brute force. Neither really showed it being done or broken tabs, if any.
I was just trying to see what the tabs looked like, but both videos were poor quality.
Don't understand why people make their videos in the dark......(that's another subject)
After starring at the bumper and feeling around underneath for ever, and not being able to
tell how the tabs work,I decided to spray all of them with silicone spray.
I was worried about damaging the bumper cover more then the valance.
Then starting in the middle, in the most delicate part of the valance, I inserted a flat
1" wide panel tool. (the ones for popping off panels)
I inserted the tool between the two panels right at the spot where a tab was.
And while pushing down on the valance, pulled it out, and it popped out like butter.
All the clips are the same except at the bottom, where a tab just slides into a slot
on the bumper cover.
I startle my neighbor when I jumped up yelling "YES" YES" YES" THANK GOD!!!"
So, there it is, don't yank it off with brute force, unless you want to!!.............Craig

P.S. I did it in my dark garage, so the video is bad

Capes

So, this is probably my last post.
I only joined to get an answer about installing a hitch.
Which I then answered my own question.
Here is the last chapter in installing the factory hitch............

After removing the lower valance, you will find that the bumper
will not just slide right out. And, if your not careful, you will
tear up the bumper cover just like one of the guys on Youtube did.
There is about 3/4" of bumper up inside the cover, and it hits
right where the slot is for a tab. If you are not careful, you will
destroy the slot, and lose that tab. Which will make the fit loose
in that area. I guess you could hot glue or silicone that area, but
If you are very careful, you can lift the bumper cover high enough
to slide the bumper out without damaging the slot.
I used silicone spray on top of the bumper arms to make them
slide out easily, and quickly slid the new bumper/hitch back in.
If you get the bumper out without damaging the cover your
in great shape. It might even help doing this job when it is
warm outside so the plastic is less stiff. Or, heat the whole
cover with a hair dryer.
So, that's it. My answer to my question. Thank me for that, and
2 thumbs up for a job well done..................Love, Craig