Hitch Removal
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 145
Likes: 0
Years ago, I swapped a 2003-2005 hitch and nuts/bolts onto my 2000 Ex for the higher tow rating. There are 4 bolts that hold the gas tank up there. Take 1 out and get 4 that are about 4-5 inches longer. Replace the 4 bolts 1 at a time with the longer ones so that you can drop the fuel tank lower without removing it. This will give you plenty of room to get the old hitch nuts out and get the new ones in. Removing the tank would make this job more difficult especially if there is gas in it because it could be heavy and bulky.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 628
Likes: 10
From: Florence
yeah the mobile site doesnt show signatures... the longer bolt idea works ok but you have to cut those two bolts off and its next too impossible to do with the tank in place even if its 4-5 inches lower.. plus to do the harpoon mod you have to have the tank on the ground.. also when you pull the assembly out of the tank look at the screen and make sure it is still in tact they commonly crack off.. atleast the diesels do.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,955
Likes: 6
From: Eastern PA
When I had my tank out for a fuel pump replacement I took the non-hex head round bolts out with a pipe wrench and TIG welded big nuts to their heads, now when it comes time to pull the hitch they will all hopefully come out with a ratchet, extension and socket.
Those round headed bolts are there to ensure that ALL EXs keep the hitch in place as required at the time of manufacture by the Feds, the mighty EX is a passenger vehicle not a truck so due to it's ride height they had to all have rear hitches and front blocker beams for crash protection safety for the other cars involved. Standard hex headed hitch bolts would have made it too easy for folks to remove the hitch and loose that safety feature.
Those round headed bolts are there to ensure that ALL EXs keep the hitch in place as required at the time of manufacture by the Feds, the mighty EX is a passenger vehicle not a truck so due to it's ride height they had to all have rear hitches and front blocker beams for crash protection safety for the other cars involved. Standard hex headed hitch bolts would have made it too easy for folks to remove the hitch and loose that safety feature.
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