Hitch Removal
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 49
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From: West Milford, New Jersey
Hitch Removal
My hitch is rusting so bad that I can pull it off in pieces. Surprisingly it seems to be the only major rust on my EX. I crawled under it the other day to check out how it is removed and I only saw half of 4 bolts. Those bolts look like they are under the fuel tank and I can't get my socket onto them.
My question is, do I need to drop the fuel tank to remove the hitch, and also is there anything else I should do while the fuel tank is down.(Besides replacing the hitch with a new one.)
If anyone has replaced theirs a recommendation for a new one would be great!
My question is, do I need to drop the fuel tank to remove the hitch, and also is there anything else I should do while the fuel tank is down.(Besides replacing the hitch with a new one.)
If anyone has replaced theirs a recommendation for a new one would be great!
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 628
Likes: 10
From: Florence
Be prepared to cut and grind to get that out... There is one bolt on each side that has to be cut off and yes you have to a least partially drop the tank so you can push it side to side... Harpoon mod.... Hutch mod... Are the two tank mods most do when they have their tank out.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: West Milford, New Jersey
Be prepared to cut and grind to get that out... There is one bolt on each side that has to be cut off and yes you have to a least partially drop the tank so you can push it side to side... Harpoon mod.... Hutch mod... Are the two tank mods most do when they have their tank out.
No, I dont have pics, but I was under there.
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 628
Likes: 10
From: Florence
Well the harpoon let's you fill the tank quicker and fuller by shortening the vent tube... It's much nicer and really easy mod... If say both gas and diesel would benefit.. I have a 7.3 diesel so I'm not sure on the Hutch mod I'd have to look on strictly diesel and see if it lists your vehicle.. Other sites have it too..
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: West Milford, New Jersey
Well the harpoon let's you fill the tank quicker and fuller by shortening the vent tube... It's much nicer and really easy mod... If say both gas and diesel would benefit.. I have a 7.3 diesel so I'm not sure on the Hutch mod I'd have to look on strictly diesel and see if it lists your vehicle.. Other sites have it too..
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More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Florence
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 1,715
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From: Central NH
When I did my hitch I had to drop the tank. It wasn't that terrible. its the only way you will get the hitch off. I used my 4 inch grinder to grind off the heads of the 'rivets', and also the bolts where the welded nut up inside the frame rail broke (which allowed the bolt to just spin instead of loosening). It was a PIA, but glad I made the effort since my factory hitch had three holes rusted through it.
Thread Starter
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Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: West Milford, New Jersey
When I did my hitch I had to drop the tank. It wasn't that terrible. its the only way you will get the hitch off. I used my 4 inch grinder to grind off the heads of the 'rivets', and also the bolts where the welded nut up inside the frame rail broke (which allowed the bolt to just spin instead of loosening). It was a PIA, but glad I made the effort since my factory hitch had three holes rusted through it.
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Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 12,061
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From: Media 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.