I got my truck on Friday! 2004 F250SD XL CC in dark grey smoke metallic, V10, stick, camper suspension, sliding window, skid plates, decor pkg, rear hitch, and damn little else. BTW, I'm the "guinea pig" for 1956mkii's FTE purchase program, and as I promised him, I will be posting a diary of that experience to the "New Ford/Mercury/Lincoln Buyer" forum as soon as I get my notes together. Current issue: I bought an HH front receiver hitch, & the installation instructions look straightforward, except - there is an instruction to remove the radiator shroud skirt from the bumper by "carefully removing the plastic rivets". My experience with rivets is they are usually one-time fasteners. Is their good reason to suppose I can reinstall these, otherwise, how should I plan to reattach the shroud? Second question is on accessories. I want to install windshield and side window visors. That seems a short enough order, except I'm particular. I don't care much for the smoke-tinted acrylic stuff. My strong preference is for either chrome or polished SS items. Vent Visor used to make the side visors in stainless, but they seem to have gone away from this, and I have been unable to find a listing in SS for the current SD models. I haven't seen a listing for a chrome windshield visor for a pickup in some time, but I know they used to exist, and for big rigs, still do. As a last resort, I'd at least be willing to look at what a custom shop would charge for this before I resigned myself to the common products. Any suggestions?

 

If you go to any parts store you should be able to find an interior panel removal tool made by Lisle. It works real well in pulling out the plastic rivets and you can reuse them. It's the best $9 I've spent.

 

I installed the HH front receiver on my 2001, remove the bumper, and the fog lights have to go. As for the skirt I just reattached mine with nuts bolts and big washers.
But having the front receiver is awesome.

 

I've got a custom made unit for sale. It's made for a 2004 F-350 before they changed the blocker beam bolt pattern. It's actually made using the stock blocker beam. Drop me a line if your interested. i'm selling it b/c I traded the truck and it won't fit my new 2004 truck.

 

What is the main use for the front receiver? Is it a point to hang a portable winch or is it better to pull something in reverse? What about the tow hooks, they seem pretty beefy?

 

I use mine for winching and moving my boat around in tight quarters. The steering is much more responsive when the trailer is out front and you can see the trailer easier. With my trailer on the truck and the boat in the water the trailer is almost completely out of sight and it's short wheel base makes it jack knife a lot. The front hitch is basically a convienence.

 

That makes a lot of sense. Having the steer wheels so close to the hitch must give you a tremendous advantage at "jockeying" the trailer.

 

I've been thinking about one of these, didn't know if I would have to fab one or could just buy one. Where did you get yours ? Do you have a name & part number ?

I found it....Hidden Hitch, # 5010, '99-'04 Superdutys.
Thanks

 

Thanks for the replies!
To alfie623 - thanks for the tip, I'll buy the Lisle tool. On the custom unit, I'll pass - I've already got the 5010, and if they changed the F250 at the same time as the F350, well mine just came off the line last week...
To boatman83 - bumper removal is in the instructions - no fog lights so no worries there...
To jskufan - all he said, plus I'm using mine to hang a rod/cooler rack on beach trips...
To jhemr - I've got the 5010, as you stated. There is also a listing for a 5012 that is supposed to fit and that mounts behind the tow hooks. Price on the 5010 should be between $99 and $115 on-line, plus shipping...
-Scott

 

How far does this hitch stick out of the opening in the bumper ?
Anyone got a pic of one on their truck ?