08 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute Installation Instructions

1. Remove one factory sheet metal screw on the front fender and the three front plastic clips from underneath the plastic molded side skirt (Figure 1). Once these are removed, gently pull on the plastic side skirt to locate the factory hole on the side panel (Figure 2).
2. Mark the location of the factory hole on the plastic side skirt. Using a 7/16” drill bit, carefully drill the marked location on the plastic side skirt (Figure 3).
3. Gently pull on the side skirt again to insert (1) 10mm x 30mm Bolt Plate into factory hole on the side panel (Figure 4). Once the Bolt Plate is in place, carefully orient the Bolt Plate through plastic side skirt (Figure 5).
4. Locate the three factory bolts on the front of the frame rail. Remove the two lower ones. Position driver front Mounting Bracket to frame rail. Line up holes on the Mounting Bracket to factory holes where you previously removed the factory bolts. Secure Mounting Bracket with factory bolts (Figure 6).
5. Insert Support Bracket through already installed Bolt Plate and secure it using (1) 10mm Nylock Nut and (1) 10mm Flat Washer. Attach opposite side of Support Bracket to Mounting Bracket using (1) 10mm x 25mm Hex Head Bolt, (2) 10mm Flat Washers, and (1) 10mm Nylock Nut (Figure 7). NOTE: Shorter tab on the Support Bracket mounts to the vehicle. Do not tighten at this time.
6. From underneath of vehicle, locate the three factory holes on the floor panel and towards the rear of the vehicle. Remove the factory rubber plug facing the rear on the vehicle next to the three factory holes (Figure 8).
7. Insert (1) Double Nut Plate through factory larger round hole. Align threaded nuts on the plate with smaller and oval factory holes (Figure 9). NOTE: Welded nuts on the plate should the face up.
8. Position driver rear Mounting Bracket onto vehicle. Use (1) 8mm x 25mm Hex Head Bolt, (1) 8mm Flat Washer, and (1) 8mm Lock Washer to attach Mounting Bracket to previously rubber plug location (You would not be using this 8mm bolt on the Mazda Tribute). Use (1) 10mm x 45mm Hex Head Bolt, (1) 10mm Flat Washer, and (1) 10mm Lock Washer to Attach Mounting Bracket to smaller round factory hole. Use (1) 10mm x 45mm Hex Head Bolt, (1) 10mm Square Washer, and (1) 10mm Lock Washer to attach Mounting Bracket to oval factory hole (Figure 10 & 11). Do not tighten at this time.

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