I installed a Curt front hitch on my 1995 F250 (460) and have a couple of questions.

1. Did I install this hitch correctly?

The hitch I ordered was designated for 4x4 models only, my truck is 2WD. A completely different designed hitch is offered for 2wd models, that looks like a traditional frame mounted hitch (rear hitch style). However, it hangs low...so I bought the 4x4 hitch model (for ground clearance) after reading that the frame horns/front frame design is the same between 4x2 and 4x4 f-series.

2. Is there anything you would change? mounting hardware...etc. other than what I have used?





























The reason I ask if I mounted the hitch correctly is because of the strange way this hitch bolts up. The bolts that came with the hitch were way to short, so I purchased longer grade 8 bolts and nuts to tie the sides of hitch to the frame rail. see below pics:







Should I upgrade the bolts that hold the bumper (& now hitch ) to the frame? I have used spacers (washers) to push the bumper forward due to 33inch tires that rub (the bumper) without the extra clearance. However due to the added thickness of the hitch the bolts are just barely long enough....see pic below:




I bought the hitch at etrailer.com Curt model #31310, here is a link:

Front Hitch for 1995 Ford F-250 and F-350 - Curt 31310

I will use this front mounted hitch to move trailers (back them up/park them) and the occasional 4x4 mud extraction/anchor (as the tow rig)

I now have a class three front hitch, class five rear hitch, 15k fifth wheel hitch and 15k goosneck that mounts to the 5th wheel rails via adapter; just about 300 pounds of hitch weight...I think I have covered all towing hitch's for this 460 beast tow rig,...short of a big rig 5th wheel, am I missing a hitch type?

 

yea u mounted it right the reason the bolts they sent u are too short is because the 4wd frame ends are boxed where the side bolts go to the frame and urs isn't boxed

 

I wondered about that, it makes perfect sense. If the frame was boxed (on 2wd) the bolts that came with the hitch would have worked.

So why is the 2wd frame not boxed? Does a 4wd frame need the boxed frame up front for component mounting?...etc. or is it just to stiffen the frame up for the flex encountered off road?

I asked the question regarding the difference in frames between 2wd and 4wd and every response (from multiple forums & friends) was that there was no difference.....well, I guess I found at least one of the differences.

Thanks for the help.

 

The 4x4 trucks have leaf springs up front, and the frames are boxed for the front spring shackles.