Even if the fixed recovery eyes are factory installed (such as on the X trim) there still is a visible "jagged edge" around the openings. PowerfulUK has come up with an elegant solution.

The owner manual says the screw-in towing eye is designed for on-road recovery only. Any other use (meaning off-road recovery) can result in vehicle damage, serious injury, death, and all that fun stuff. The fixed, exposed recovery eyes are designed for both on-road and off-road recovery, up to 6.5 tons.

https://www.ownerinfo.landrover.com/.../proc/G2389888

 

ll.I

Here are a couple of photos I took while installing mine. It took me maybe an hour and a half, by myself in my garage with screwdrivers, a torque wrench and sockets and some cardboard boxes to support the bumper cover while I installed the new towing eyes. Didn't even have to remove the bumper cover completely as you see, I only disconnected the lines on the RH side (following the video from PowerfulUK) and the screws on the left, then opened it up like a book and was able to remove the factory anchors for the screw-in towing eye and replace them with the fixed types. In the second photo you can somewhat see the installed frames from PowerfulUK, which make the look cleaner around those edges.

 

I did this install myself as well about a week ago. Took a couple of hours as well, mainly because I was going slow and didn't want to break anything. Bumper wasn't coming off nearly as easily as the powerfuluk video and realized I still had one little machine screw that I had missed. Was also having a hard time getting the rear camera spray hose reconnected and realized a small black piece of plastic was still on the ground that had popped off....not the clip that goes around it, but rather the little attachment that sits on the end of the hose for the clip to attach to. Popping the trim off the side of the vehicle was probably the most nerve wracking part, but it actually came off nicer than powerfuluk's did and went back on nice without needing to use the replacement clips they provide. Realigning the bumper with one person took a couple of attempts.

Anyways, wasn't the easiest thing ever, wasn't the hardest and was worth the effort.

 

Nice! Looks like I have my first project for when the car arrives!

 

For future reference, those 8 big bolts need to be tightened to 170 Nm / 125 ft lb of torque.

 

You and me both. That's on my list for sure. I've a giant torque wrench for my Ducati's rear wheel so those numbers aren't too intimidating

 

FYI, the X comes with the red orange tow hooks.

 

I am collecting parts (and wisdom from this forum) prior to my imminent D110 arrival. I have the small mudflaps that I plan to install myself along with Powerful UK's rear tow hook eye kit. The Defender is coming with the Wheel arch extensions already installed.

So I'm worried that the extensions won't be as easy to just pop-off as the smaller factory wheel arch protectors and I may damage them? I realize that I shouldn't install my mudflaps until after I've removed the rear bumper for the tow eyes install, but has anyone installed these WITH the wheel arch extension kit successfully.

Thanks in advance for your experience.

 

Can’t help you there, C. Everett, but I will probably do the tow hooks eventually. I love mechanical work that involves bolts and screws. But I HATE body work that involves clips, rivnuts and the myriad other fasteners that seem to all be one-use even though they claim otherwise. I suppose I’ll grumble and eventually pull the rear bumper and install those hooks (which involves a lot of satisfyingly stout bolts that I can use impact guns and torque wrenches on!), but I reserve the right to complain a lot.

 

Extensions are glued on, so not as easy to get off and once removed not reusable I expect.