Front mount receiver hitch
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8
Likes: 0
Front mount receiver hitch
I'm wanting to add a front hitch on my F350 to make shuffling my boat around
the house and tight fitting campgrounds a little easier. May even add a removable winch later on. I have looked at the "Hidden Hitch" model but it requires removal of my driving lights, and then you have to do something with the front license plate. I also have looked at Curt Manufacturing's one that replaces the "Blocker Brace" and leaves the driving light & license plate intact. Why not just weld a hitch mount to the underside of the "Blocker Brace" centered under the license plate. Anyone out there have any experience?
the house and tight fitting campgrounds a little easier. May even add a removable winch later on. I have looked at the "Hidden Hitch" model but it requires removal of my driving lights, and then you have to do something with the front license plate. I also have looked at Curt Manufacturing's one that replaces the "Blocker Brace" and leaves the driving light & license plate intact. Why not just weld a hitch mount to the underside of the "Blocker Brace" centered under the license plate. Anyone out there have any experience?
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 0
From: round rock, tx
Originally Posted by jim mills
I'm wanting to add a front hitch on my F350 to make shuffling my boat around
the house and tight fitting campgrounds a little easier. May even add a removable winch later on. I have looked at the "Hidden Hitch" model but it requires removal of my driving lights, and then you have to do something with the front license plate. I also have looked at Curt Manufacturing's one that replaces the "Blocker Brace" and leaves the driving light & license plate intact. Why not just weld a hitch mount to the underside of the "Blocker Brace" centered under the license plate. Anyone out there have any experience?
the house and tight fitting campgrounds a little easier. May even add a removable winch later on. I have looked at the "Hidden Hitch" model but it requires removal of my driving lights, and then you have to do something with the front license plate. I also have looked at Curt Manufacturing's one that replaces the "Blocker Brace" and leaves the driving light & license plate intact. Why not just weld a hitch mount to the underside of the "Blocker Brace" centered under the license plate. Anyone out there have any experience?
I know there was another member who did what you are saying, I think it was a Warn recvr hitch and it did replace the lower bar below the bumper.
do a search, the owner might have posted pics in a thread about it
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,859
Likes: 7
From: USA
Somewhere I have seen one that goes behind the license plate.The plate is put on a hinge and the tube bolts between the frame rails.
The fog lights stay and the tow hooks stay.
I'll try and dig it up.
Rich
The fog lights stay and the tow hooks stay.
I'll try and dig it up.
Rich
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 296
Likes: 0
I have a Hidden Hitch. My truck did not come with factory fogs and I pulled the front license plate bracket off at the dealership. [don't need a front plate in NC]
Do have a pic in my gallery though, if you want to see the finished product.
I have heard that there is problems with fitting a front hitch on a diesel, if that applies to you.
Do have a pic in my gallery though, if you want to see the finished product.
I have heard that there is problems with fitting a front hitch on a diesel, if that applies to you.
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
You do have to remove the fog lights with the Hidden Hitch, but they do have the insert if you need a front license plate. You do not loose your tow hooks either.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=85456&.jpg
Here it is with a removeable winch:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=116400&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=85456&.jpg
Here it is with a removeable winch:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=116400&.jpg
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
On my E350SD I put on a reese/drawtite (Same company now) FMR with no problems.
But Doing a search for 2005 F350 I found:
Reese/Drawtite FMR hitch
they note "Optional OEM fog lights must be removed or relocated for receiver installation."
This was for the 2005 F350 but I saw elsewhere that it was the same hitch for 99-05.
Good luck!
But Doing a search for 2005 F350 I found:
Reese/Drawtite FMR hitch
they note "Optional OEM fog lights must be removed or relocated for receiver installation."
This was for the 2005 F350 but I saw elsewhere that it was the same hitch for 99-05.
Good luck!
Last edited by rwetter; Jul 26, 2006 at 10:03 AM.
Trending Topics
Tuned
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 305
Likes: 20
From: North Padre Island, TX
I have a hidden hitch and removed the fogs. I then reattached them using wire and screws to the hitch itself. You would never know they were moved. I then added a plug to the hitch that holds the license plate bracket. License plate is in the same spot. You'd never know there's a hitch there. In the plug i used for the license plate, I drilled out the holes to make them longer so it will pull out about six inches. I use this as a step while working on my engine, then I just push it back in when I'm done and it looks like a normal license plate again.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Elder User
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 749
Likes: 2
From: Phoenix, Az
I also want a front hitch for mine. It would be much easier to push my boat trailer into the drive backwards. The drive is uphill, and curved, then I have to turn the trailer about 90 degrees into the parking space.
I also had a plan similar to Hunter40, of making a plug-in step, the width of the front end, to stand on when servicing the truck. A step-ladder is a pain in the butt!
I also had a plan similar to Hunter40, of making a plug-in step, the width of the front end, to stand on when servicing the truck. A step-ladder is a pain in the butt!
New User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
Have you looked at the bodiak units that use the front tow hooks to mount?
https://bodiaknet.secure.powweb.com/...bd16921cd85aff
https://bodiaknet.secure.powweb.com/...bd16921cd85aff
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 289
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by toypuller
I have heard that there is problems with fitting a front hitch on a diesel, if that applies to you.
I pulled a 20 ft dual axle trailer down a 1/4 mile long twisty driveway for a house project were we working on. I bet the 19yr old smart alec on the crew $50 that I could have the trailer back to the street in 5 minutes or less, after he laughed and said I would never get that trailer back down the drive as there was no place to turn the whole rig around.
I unhooked the trailer, turned the truck around, switched the hitch from rear to front and was on the street in 3 minutes. I gleefully deducted the $50 from his pay on friday and bought pizza and beer for the whole crew.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by BFR250SD
You do have to remove the fog lights with the Hidden Hitch, but they do have the insert if you need a front license plate. You do not loose your tow hooks either.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=85456&.jpg
Here it is with a removeable winch:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=116400&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=85456&.jpg
Here it is with a removeable winch:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=116400&.jpg
I already have the Ramsey Multi Mount winch so that set up will work great for me. One question though....Is that a Ranger Tab I see in your avitar? If so, how can you live without a Ranger Tab on the front of your truck? I just have to have Master Blaster wings on the front of any truck I own.........
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 3
From: Phenix City, AL
It's a WAAG FrontRunner. If you look in my gallery, you'll see it before and after the winch. I did have to cut out the top center tube to fit the winch. That took all of 30 seconds with the sawzall and another 5 minute or so to neat'n it up with the grinder and apply a little touch up paint.
http://www.waag.com/frontrunner/
Before:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=66390&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=102558&.jpg
After:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=116400&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=116401&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=120638&.jpg
And you are corrrect on the Avatar. I had one little, teeny, tiny sticker in the back window.
Was looking in your profile; you still over in Iraq?
http://www.waag.com/frontrunner/
Before:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...oid=66390&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=102558&.jpg
After:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=116400&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=116401&.jpg
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...id=120638&.jpg
And you are corrrect on the Avatar. I had one little, teeny, tiny sticker in the back window.
Was looking in your profile; you still over in Iraq?
Last edited by BFR250SD; Jul 28, 2006 at 04:13 AM.