Receiver Hitch
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 842
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
Receiver Hitch
I'm looking at buying a receiver hitch for my truck so I can tow again. Anybody know where I can find one for under $100 or what other years might work?
I used to tow with the ugly step bumper it had on it when I got it. It had this bolted under the bumper:
It seemed to work ok and I was considering using it again but I don't want to drill into my decent original chrome bumper I got for my truck. I was thinking of fabbing something up to bolt to the chassis using this. The only problem is my dad and I don't really have any skills in welding and we want to do it right and not crappily. The question is, should I buy one (if I can find one under $100) or try to fab up something? I found one off a 84 and another off a 90 something F-150; could these work? Thanks.
I used to tow with the ugly step bumper it had on it when I got it. It had this bolted under the bumper:
It seemed to work ok and I was considering using it again but I don't want to drill into my decent original chrome bumper I got for my truck. I was thinking of fabbing something up to bolt to the chassis using this. The only problem is my dad and I don't really have any skills in welding and we want to do it right and not crappily. The question is, should I buy one (if I can find one under $100) or try to fab up something? I found one off a 84 and another off a 90 something F-150; could these work? Thanks.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 20,678
Likes: 83
From: NorCal
I hated the heavy and ugly dock bumper and installed a contour bumper. Ahhhhhhh.......
I was in the same boat as you wanting to tow! I measured my frame and went hunting in the 'yards. I got my bolt-on, frame-mounted Class III hitch off the rotting carcass of a late 80s/early 90s Bronco... drilled six holes for new Grade 8 hardware and 1/4 backing plates (to spread the load) and she was good to go.
Cost? The hitch wouldda been $46 but it was half-off day at the 'yard. Serendipity! Total cost was like $30 with the new hardware. BTW, get them nylon-lined locking nuts.
I was in the same boat as you wanting to tow! I measured my frame and went hunting in the 'yards. I got my bolt-on, frame-mounted Class III hitch off the rotting carcass of a late 80s/early 90s Bronco... drilled six holes for new Grade 8 hardware and 1/4 backing plates (to spread the load) and she was good to go.
Cost? The hitch wouldda been $46 but it was half-off day at the 'yard. Serendipity! Total cost was like $30 with the new hardware. BTW, get them nylon-lined locking nuts.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 842
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
I hated the heavy and ugly dock bumper and installed a contour bumper. Ahhhhhhh.......
I was in the same boat as you wanting to tow! I measured my frame and went hunting in the 'yards. I got my bolt-on, frame-mounted Class III hitch off the rotting carcass of a late 80s/early 90s Bronco... drilled six holes for new Grade 8 hardware and 1/4 backing plates (to spread the load) and she was good to go.
Cost? The hitch wouldda been $46 but it was half-off day at the 'yard. Serendipity! Total cost was like $30 with the new hardware. BTW, get them nylon-lined locking nuts.
I was in the same boat as you wanting to tow! I measured my frame and went hunting in the 'yards. I got my bolt-on, frame-mounted Class III hitch off the rotting carcass of a late 80s/early 90s Bronco... drilled six holes for new Grade 8 hardware and 1/4 backing plates (to spread the load) and she was good to go.
Cost? The hitch wouldda been $46 but it was half-off day at the 'yard. Serendipity! Total cost was like $30 with the new hardware. BTW, get them nylon-lined locking nuts.
Thread Starter
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 842
Likes: 1
From: Georgia
I don't plan to tow anything super heavy but if I had to, I want to have the capability to do so.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 169
Likes: 0
From: f l a
a 74-87 1/2,3/4,1 ton and 88-91 vent window door gm truck, blazer,or suburban's frame rails are same distance apart(i know gm) one off of them could work also.don't use a dodge hitch,they bend easier than the gm or ford's.
some 92+ gm's use a straight tube with welded plates that bolt to frame.cut the weld around the square tube,slide the plate in a to match your frame rails and reweld it,have done this with our bog trucks before.
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Elder User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 618
Likes: 1
From: central oregon
don't use a dodge hitch,they bend easier than the gm or ford's.
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From: Residing in the shwa. On.
WOW!!! Someone's a lil cranky... Need a hug fella??
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,395
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From: Alabama
I just took the one off of my '98 Jeep Grand Cherokee...I haven't put it on my '78 as of yet, but from dry fitting on a spare frame, it looks like it will bolt right up...may have to drill two holes, but looks really close...Currently I have a tow "bar"??? I am not sure if it was homemade or some type of aftermarket item...it was on the truck when I purchased it...but it attaches to the frame rails, and come out below my contour bumper...it ISN'T a square tube, but just a 2" ball...I can get some pics tomorrow if you want...
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 403
Likes: 0
From: Story City, Iowa
I actually got one from Cabelas a year or so back. They had free shipping and the hitch was on sale. I paid just over $100 shipped to my door for a bolt on brand new hitch. If I remember right I had to drill 2 holes, but my time was worth the little extra I had to Patti get something that bolted up with little work.
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