Disregard this post, the hitch doesn't have to come off...

 

I know it says disregard but I got mine out today after it being stuck for months!
I hooked it to a tractor and went ***** to the wall, finally people out after a couple yanks.

Disclaimer: Not reccomended! And will likely get you a scolding here on the forum for doing a "hold my beer" action

 

I'm going to be replacing my rusty hitch soon on my 2001 Excursion. So I would appreciate tips from anyone who has been there and done that.

 

On an old truck, Failed attempts
Tried to beat it out with a mini sledge hammer.
Tried a come along to a big tree.
Tried cussing it out.
I gave it a P.B blaster bath and a hammer waited a few days and one more bath and hammer. After a week I chained it to a BIG tree and gave it a few good bumps before it finally came out.

 

I'm going to be replacing the entire hitch that is bolted to the frame. I've got a good used one. I'm hoping to swap it out without dropping the gas tank. I've been looking under the Excursion planning my attack. It looks like I will have little trouble unbolting the old hitch but accessing the nut plates with the tank in place will be a trick. I would like to hear from those who have done the swap and have learned the best approach.

 

HEAT HEAT HEAT. Heat up the tube with MAP or Acetylene gas if you have it available. Get the receiver nice and hot all the way around and spray a penetrating oil around the hitch and the heat will draw the oil in. Tap on it with a hammer and pull it out. I do this all the time on salt water soaked units that have been stuck for years. Just be patient.
You can get MAP gas at any hardware store. It is in the yellow bottle and is 3 X hotter than the blue propane tanks.

 

Get a can of WD-40 a mini sledgehammer grab your chain and tie it up to something big and gun and hope for a clean break. Repeat in tell it come off or you break something.

 

Some good info was covered here:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ml#post9933469