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Remove Hitch without dropping tank?

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Old Oct 25, 2020 | 01:21 PM
  #16  
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I used the fishwire on a Curt hitch install on our old Honda CR-V, but it was a unibody so the wire was needed to get inside the closed frame section. What is the wire supposed to be used for on the EX?
 
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Old Oct 25, 2020 | 03:03 PM
  #17  
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Originally Posted by WE3ZS
I used the fishwire on a Curt hitch install on our old Honda CR-V, but it was a unibody so the wire was needed to get inside the closed frame section. What is the wire supposed to be used for on the EX?
Hell if i know. Unless it's for the supplied hardware that came with the hitch? I was expecting to just reuse the OEM hardware or get new direct fit bolts.

https://assets.curtmfg.com/masterlib.../14011_INS.pdf
 
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Old Oct 25, 2020 | 03:47 PM
  #18  
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Are you going to drop the tank or try to work in the very tight quarters with the tank up in place?
I don't see any application for the fishwire on this installation, the EX has an open C channel frame.
 
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Old Oct 25, 2020 | 05:06 PM
  #19  
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Originally Posted by WE3ZS
Are you going to drop the tank or try to work in the very tight quarters with the tank up in place?
I don't see any application for the fishwire on this installation, the EX has an open C channel frame.
Gonna drop it. I started presoaking the bolts with PB Blaster last week....So today i started on it and sure enough, 1 bolt on the tank was still stuck....So more Blaster and more waiting. Using a Milwaukee Fuel 1/2" impact. Finally came free about 4 hours later. By then it was too late in my day to continue. Buttoned it back up and will do it next weekend.

If i didn't drop the tank completely , i wouldn't need to disconnect the filler hoses. I read that getting some longer bolts and replacing them 1 by 1, will give you enough room to get the old hitch bolts out. I realize the 2 flat bolts need to be ground off.
 
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Old Oct 26, 2020 | 04:48 AM
  #20  
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“While you’re in there” replace the fuel hoses/lines. Mine were disintegrating when I replaced my hitch.
 
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Old Dec 8, 2020 | 09:29 PM
  #21  
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No grind, no tank drop. Raised the truck, Welded nut to both shear bolts, took them off with impact gun.
 
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Old Dec 8, 2020 | 11:06 PM
  #22  
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Replacing the hitch was a job I couldn't do myself for lack of the correct tools and location but here is what I do know; You don't need to drop the tank but must lower it to make access to the bolts. One fastener on each side is like a big-*** rivet. Ford put those there just to create headaches for those replacing their hitch. I had a shop do my installation and heck for 2 hours labor it was a deal at $130/ hr. Also while at it, paint or powder coat the trailer wire connector bracket. The shop painted mine and I hope it lasts. If not, it's not too difficult to remove and have powder coated. Additionally, replace the old connector. My new Curt hitch looks so much better than the old ugly surface rusted one....



 
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Old Dec 9, 2020 | 05:20 AM
  #23  
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Originally Posted by gbltrottr
No grind, no tank drop. Raised the truck, Welded nut to both shear bolts, took them off with impact gun.
I wasn't too crazy about doing any welding right next to the gas tank on mine. In my case the first time taking the tank down was for a fuel pump replacement, so it had to come down and I used that time and access to remove the shear bolts and weld the nuts to them on the bench in the shop.
 
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