Class III Hitch installation
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Deatsville, AL
Class III Hitch installation
I am trying to install a Class III hitch on my '88 F150. I removed the rear bumper to make it easy. Put the ends on the center serction and used a floor jack to hold it up. Installed the rear most bolts so I could see how it lined up and so I could mark for any holes that needed to drilled.
Can't drill any holes as the frame is outside the brackets; so much that the forward end of the side plates on the hitch line up well inside the frame.
The hitch is a Hidden Hitch model 82000. The instructions list includes: Ford '73 P/U Long Box and up. Does anyone know if this is the right model for my truck?
If this is the right model for my truck, has anybody got any ideas about what to do next?
Thanks
Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
Can't drill any holes as the frame is outside the brackets; so much that the forward end of the side plates on the hitch line up well inside the frame.
The hitch is a Hidden Hitch model 82000. The instructions list includes: Ford '73 P/U Long Box and up. Does anyone know if this is the right model for my truck?
If this is the right model for my truck, has anybody got any ideas about what to do next?
Thanks
Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
Class III Hitch installation
I put a hitch on my '81 F250 and everything lined right up.
Is the receiver end lined up with where the end of the bumper would be? It's not too far forward? Will it line up if you slide it back?
Your instructions say '73 and up'. Up to WHAT I wonder?
Perhaps Ford changed the dimentions of the frame sometime in the '80's. I don't know if they did.
Maybe you could measure your frame and go back to the shop for an exchange if you can't get it to line up right.
Is the receiver end lined up with where the end of the bumper would be? It's not too far forward? Will it line up if you slide it back?
Your instructions say '73 and up'. Up to WHAT I wonder?
Perhaps Ford changed the dimentions of the frame sometime in the '80's. I don't know if they did.
Maybe you could measure your frame and go back to the shop for an exchange if you can't get it to line up right.
Thread Starter
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Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Deatsville, AL
Class III Hitch installation
I got it from JC Whitney. That's probably the ptoblem. There's a number to call about installation problems but they closed before I found I had a problem.
Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 7,298
Likes: 45
From: Southern California
Class III Hitch installation
OK. Well try slideing it back if there's room and the receiver doesn't stick out too far. Maybe it's right after all. It sounds like your frame is tapered. Can't remember if my frame was tapered or not and I can't take a look at it right now.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
Likes: 17
From: Dryden, ON, Canada
Class III Hitch installation
I hate to tell you, but the frame rails of the 80-up trucks are 2" wider than the 70's trucks, so that hitch ain't gonna work without some fangleage.
Evan MacDonald
82 F100 FlareSide 2wd
HD 300-6 9.5:1 CR
Clifford 270H cam
Hedman Hedder
SBC valved 66 240 head
Headlight Relays - Delanty Style
NP435(6.69 low)
3.55 Geared ARB'd 9"
31x10.50/15 Cooper Discoverer LT's
Evan MacDonald
82 F100 FlareSide 2wd
HD 300-6 9.5:1 CR
Clifford 270H cam
Hedman Hedder
SBC valved 66 240 head
Headlight Relays - Delanty Style
NP435(6.69 low)
3.55 Geared ARB'd 9"
31x10.50/15 Cooper Discoverer LT's
Thread Starter
|
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Deatsville, AL
Class III Hitch installation
I got a Valley hitch made for the truck and it doesn't fit either. Again the rear most hole lines up fine but the others do not.
The frame is wider at the bottom right where the shackle bracket is riveted to the frame. Is this normal or is my frame bowed out at the bottom?
Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
The frame is wider at the bottom right where the shackle bracket is riveted to the frame. Is this normal or is my frame bowed out at the bottom?
Bob
'66 7 Litre, top loader, 3.25 Traction-lock, Sidewinder Intake, SCJ Exhaust
'88 F150 LWB 4x2, XLT Lariat, 302, 5 speed, 3.08
'99 Ranger, 4x2, 3.0, 5 speed, 3.73 posi
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