left mine on, because i don't wanna loose my hooks

 

I looked at my truck and wondered is it possible to cut the hooks off of the carrier on the SUT? what could you use to cut them off? Seems like a sawzall wouldn't do the trick?!?!?! It looks like they should be able to cut off cleanly to avoid paying $150+ for tow hooks if you remove the spare.

 

Use a Plasma torch and then go back to it with a grinder to clean it up. You will need a heavy duty one, but it will work.

Have not removed my carrier yet. Since in Michigan your licence plate has to be mounted on rear bumper only. I was thinking on tapping holes to mount it. Like you said, paying $150 for replacement tow hooks is stupid. They do not come in the OEM black color either, the ones I found are chrome.