Hi folks,


I'm new to the forum, and classic Ford trucks. My pop and I bought a 1956 f100 Standard Cab this week and I'm looking for some advice on mounting a trailer hitch so I can tow Whalers (in various states of restoration, nothing over 2500lbs) It has custom exhaust and custom body work on the rear. My plan is to move the exhaust tips to the sides and hide the hitch behind a flip up license plate bracket. My plan is to enjoy the truck, but slowly take it as closely back to original as possible. In that regard, would a "bolt on" hitch be preferable to a welded hitch so that if I later revert to the original body configuration, I can simply change the drop on the hitch frame? Any alternate suggestions are welcome, including exhaust rerouting. Thanks.

 

Two choices.
Get a back bumper and do a bumper hitch this may mean removing the " custom metal work". Get a bolt on receiver hitch and bolt it to the frame. It may clear the custom work. I would do this since you will be towing whalers.

The pipes will have to be rerouted. Have you thought of storing your spare in the stock location? The spare should clear the receiver hitch. Spare mount is impossible due to those pipes.

The pipes will have to be rerouted. It's a matter of taste but I would throw those cheesy zoomy tips in the scrap pile,

 

I went to a local and had a receiver hitch bolted to the frame rails and a little forward then normal. It was more hidden that way. My 06 has a receiver poking out under the bumper YUK.

I had the exhaust done after the hitch was installed with long 4" tips like you have. Love that mellow tone.



John

 

I like your roll pan, looks great! I've just done this on my own 66, so would agree with whats already been said about the pipes being in the way no matter which way you go.
Mine is the bolt on type and sits below the factory style rear bumper. Mine sits a little too low and forward for my liking, but it does clear everything that way, I can still have the spare wheel carrier and its how they were originally done over here.

If I had your setup I would consider something custom to poke through the number plate. Its much neater that way but is going to involve something custom to sit up higher (probably $$) and will also cost you the exhaust setup you have.

I took mine off for painting, you can see the bolt locations where it sits under the frame to give you an idea how it all sits. This clears the spare wheel carrier and the factory type rear bumper. I guess this could be shortened to sit out where the number plate sits on your roll pan?

 

Thanks for the replies and photos, that really clears things up. While I do like the look of the roll pan, it's probably going to "go away" eventually in favor of the factory bumper set up. It sounds like the first step will be to reroute the pipes (I'll probably lose the tips in favor of a more stock look)and remount the spare in the stock location. Once this is done, I'll see what I can accomplish with a bolt-on receiver. Ideally it would be something that works with both the custom roll pan and the factory bumper, but if I have to swap out the receiver the so be it. My biggest concern would be keeping the number of holes in the frame to a minimum, which may mean buying a brand name generic receiver and modifying it for my application. Perhaps it would have some residual value should I convert the rear end to a factory look. Alternately, I could mount the hitch a little further back, as jowilker suggests, which would work with both the custom roll pan and factory bumper.

 

No idea where you are, but U-Haul offers hitches and some other supply houses. You might try Google search receiver hitch your town and see what comes up. I believe if you cut the pipes behind the hangers in the photo you should be able to mount the hitch without interfering with the roll pan. Mine had 3 bolts on each side on the bottom lip of the rail.

I am gonna say with those cherry bomb style mufflers the larger 4in tips will mellow the sound and rumble in the cab, because I'd guess it's a little loud. LOL


John