Front Hitch Done!
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 911
Likes: 0
From: Mexifornia
Front Hitch Done!
Well first off those who said they did it in 30min to an hour either had a different hitch, help, or were on crack; making time fly! J/K...
The Bad : The hitch was severly scratched, fit was OK, not great, the bolts with the handles that come with the hitch are there because its SUPER difficult to put them on thus the need to have handles on them. What was not taken into account was how to put the washers on??? I used double sided tape...it also helps to have skinny arms and I HAD to remove the grill. The biggest problem was realigning the front bumper and after using a floor jack and 2 "C" clamps got it within 1/8 " of original fit.
The Good: I followed all directions without much problem aside from improvising the tape for the square washers and grill removal it was a simple task and all said and done I think it will serve muliple purposes for which it was intended. Glad I now have it. I also added the lic. plate holder since here in CA you have to have a front lic. although I don't know what I'll do if I use a bike rack.
The pics are in my gallery.
The Bad : The hitch was severly scratched, fit was OK, not great, the bolts with the handles that come with the hitch are there because its SUPER difficult to put them on thus the need to have handles on them. What was not taken into account was how to put the washers on??? I used double sided tape...it also helps to have skinny arms and I HAD to remove the grill. The biggest problem was realigning the front bumper and after using a floor jack and 2 "C" clamps got it within 1/8 " of original fit.
The Good: I followed all directions without much problem aside from improvising the tape for the square washers and grill removal it was a simple task and all said and done I think it will serve muliple purposes for which it was intended. Glad I now have it. I also added the lic. plate holder since here in CA you have to have a front lic. although I don't know what I'll do if I use a bike rack.
The pics are in my gallery.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 911
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From: Mexifornia
Hidden hitch? Anyways I didn't devote myself, just worked a little after work each day but I would'nt call it easy. My aux tank was easy. My roll-top bed cover was easy; this is the most difficult mod I've done so far on this truck, I've installed lift kits that overall were easier...not time wise. Anyways I would have been easier with a helper.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 9,303
Likes: 48
From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Mine was drawtite. Just remove the 4 bolts for the bumper and it comes off. The hitch was one piece with eight bolt holes. I think I had to drill 4 holes slap the hitch on -the bumper on top of that and install eight bolts..I think that was it. I use it for my winch.
Dick
Dick
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 911
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From: Mexifornia
Yeah mine says draw-tie on the order slip...well anyways the extra nuts, and washer were a bear to get in, but the biggest problem was line up, side to side...had to use a jack and claps, but I was by myself.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,759
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From: round rock, tx
Originally Posted by bczolone
Yeah mine says draw-tie on the order slip...well anyways the extra nuts, and washer were a bear to get in, but the biggest problem was line up, side to side...had to use a jack and claps, but I was by myself.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Mexifornia
Its mostly to move my trailer in and out of my back yard. Its a tight fit about 6 inches either side of the gate. I had one on my last two trucks and it was a lot easier when backing the trailer in up a steep incline through such a tight spot to do it looking forward, plus you can turn the trailer quicker...I also might use it with a bicycle hauler.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,759
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From: round rock, tx
I installed mine last year thinking I was going to buy a Warn winch with a multi-mount to use either at the front or rear of the vehicle. I may just remove my prerunner bar and install a ARB bumper.
Senior User
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 482
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From: Woodside, CA
bcz front trailer hitches are great we have one on our 350 and it makes trailers so much easier to push around. as for having a front plate try fabbing something up just a piece of square tubing and a flat sheet of metal, weld it together drill the hole and put it right into the hitch. then just use a pin to hold it on for quick use.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 6
From: Western New York
bczolone - nice post and pictures that you took of the install.
Dick - how was the clearance of your hitch with you plow mount? I am curious as I have considered doing the same thing, but have been concerned about getting around the plow mount.
Dick - how was the clearance of your hitch with you plow mount? I am curious as I have considered doing the same thing, but have been concerned about getting around the plow mount.