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FWIW, the hitch on my ‘84 F250HD looks just like this one, although with a bit less rust. The hitch may have been a factory-approved dealer item.
Note the cant. I can’t see how you could install a hitch without the cant. That’s my story, and I can’t recant.
A couple of blocks of metal welded to the hitch for spacers would probably be all you need.
The rusty hitch above is a bolt together unit, I had one on my old f150. When the engine crankshaft broke, I had to put my old 1953 f100 to towing duties. I found out when I took the receiver hitch off the f150, and took it apart and swapped sides so the mounting ears pointed inwards, it matched up perfectly to the more narrow 53 f100 frame. Of course I had to drill a few holes, just like I did when it was installed in under the f150.
Fun fact: a 5.0L w/3.55 gearing is rated to tow only around 6500 lbs. or a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 11,500 lbs. The empty truck with only a driver (who is slim and handsome, like me) weighs 4,020 lbs.
You subtract the weight of the truck, occupants, and cargo from the GCWR of your truck. This is the maximum the vehicle is rated to tow.
Ratings for 1986 trucks with automatic transmission.
My truck's 7" step bumper is rated as Class III. Or 5,000 lbs towing and up to 750 lbs tongue weight.
Who looks at those specs?? Come on! Live a little!
But in all seriousness, I put little stock in those ratings, especially 40 years down the road. There's some trucks that can safely out tow their ratings, and some trucks that have withered away at this point in their lives. The fact that it changes based on gearing tells you that power is a part of the factory rating. In the case of the 300 I6 (for instance) there are guys towing a whole lot more than that.
I wanted the biggest and best hitch I could get just to be safe. The frame isn't gonna fall off because you exceed the truck's tow rating a little. The Class V happened to be out of stock, so I went Class IV. I towed about 6000 with my 1983 F-100 2WD LWB a couple weeks ago, right after installing the hitch. Fresh 300 I6, fresh C6, 8.8/3.55s. Redone brakes and front end steering/suspension with stock leaves in the rear. Other than squatting pretty good and going a little slow, it did great. Now I put new leaves and air bags and I think it'll be even better, so still fine.
That hitch you're looking at is a Shelton. Why don't you contact them and ask about your application?
I guess I could call. The photo also shows the part#. Before I posted here, armed with both make and model, I went straight to their website to look for the info I want. I found out that they are no longer in the receiver business. They specialize in the load leveling stuff.
Who looks at those specs?? Come on! Live a little!
But in all seriousness, I put little stock in those ratings, especially 40 years down the road. There's some trucks that can safely out tow their ratings, and some trucks that have withered away at this point in their lives. The fact that it changes based on gearing tells you that power is a part of the factory rating. In the case of the 300 I6 (for instance) there are guys towing a whole lot more than that.
I wanted the biggest and best hitch I could get just to be safe. The frame isn't gonna fall off because you exceed the truck's tow rating a little. The Class V happened to be out of stock, so I went Class IV. I towed about 6000 with my 1983 F-100 2WD LWB a couple weeks ago, right after installing the hitch. Fresh 300 I6, fresh C6, 8.8/3.55s. Redone brakes and front end steering/suspension with stock leaves in the rear. Other than squatting pretty good and going a little slow, it did great. Now I put new leaves and air bags and I think it'll be even better, so still fine.
Be careful getting one of those large hitches. Some of them come with a 2 1/2 receiver. We have a couple at work and it's a pain because the standard stuff doesn't fit without an adapter.
Be careful getting one of those large hitches. Some of them come with a 2 1/2 receiver. We have a couple at work and it's a pain because the standard stuff doesn't fit without an adapter.
I have seen it posted on the new trucks of the larger size but not th a older ones like that would be.
I would say somewhere in about 2010 year the larger size showed up but good to point out.
Dave ----
From their online catalog. Looks like year of fit includes up to the 96 the hitch came off of.
Thanks for taking the time to look at the Shelton site. You proved that they do still offer hitch receivers. And I went back and looked harder. I did eventually find their catalog.
This is the kind of thing that is perplexing. The #82000 "Fits 1980-1996. Fits F series Except 1992 & up". And this is a Class III. The subject receiver is obviously at least a class IV. Eight bolts and all that gusseting.
I guess he only way I'll know if the subject receiver fits my truck is if I go look at it. I wish the seller would just answer my question. Might be worth the drive anyway. The seller is the area Ford rear end specialist, guru, expert. I do have a question or two on that subject. Might get some free insight.
Thanks for taking the time to look at the Shelton site. You proved that they do still offer hitch receivers. And I went back and looked harder. I did eventually find their catalog.
This is the kind of thing that is perplexing. The #82000 "Fits 1980-1996. Fits F series Except 1992 & up". And this is a Class III. The subject receiver is obviously at least a class IV. Eight bolts and all that gusseting.
I guess he only way I'll know if the subject receiver fits my truck is if I go look at it. I wish the seller would just answer my question. Might be worth the drive anyway. The seller is the area Ford rear end specialist, guru, expert. I do have a question or two on that subject. Might get some free insight.
Be careful getting one of those large hitches. Some of them come with a 2 1/2 receiver. We have a couple at work and it's a pain because the standard stuff doesn't fit without an adapter.
Most of the larger hitches for these trucks are 2". But good call on double-checking. I'm usually researching the heck out of this sort of thing, but I do still miss stuff occasionally.
Today I confirmed that the frame on my 1986 F150 is the same as on a 1994 F150. I looked at a local Reese brand receiver that is still installed. The frame has the bend in it, the receiver is straight. They shimmed the receiver in the back to keep the square tube off the bumper. And whoever installed it lost their ViceGrip.
I hope there is a bolt or two and not just that vise grip holding that on...LOL
I was thinking the same thing LOL
Originally Posted by diggerrigger
Yeah, I had to look closer. Only four bolts though. They left one out of both sides on the rear.
When you say the rear is it where the VG is?
If so I dont think the frame is drilled for 2 bolts there only 1, so 1 in each corner.
I would have to look at mine but I think it also has only 1 in each corner.
Mine (Reese Tow Power #37096-003) is made to fit different makes and think why it has more than 1 bolt hole in each corner to fit the other makes and line up with the holes in the frames so no drilling needed. I dont remember drilling any holes to mount mine.
Also the way the directions said to mount it, it was way to low as seen in the 2nd & 3rd pictures.
After looking it over I was able to flip the end plates to raise it up some.
I think it still sits to low and also sticks out the back more than I like but its on there to stay LOL
Dave ----
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