Front 2" receiver installation
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
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From: Florida
Front 2" receiver installation
I just ordered a Hidden Hitch 2" front receiver for the Ex. I guess I should have asked this question before I ordered! 
...but I don't think it will be a problem...well I hope not...
My question is for those that have installed one...how much front end disassembly is required to tuck the hitch up there? Big deal?
I do not have front fog/driving lights so that shouldn't be an issue...will I lose the tow hooks?
Any advice or tricks would be great!...if anyone has any links to pics of the steps during the install that would be great too!
I needed another spot to carry some bikes for when the kids bring friends...plus in tight campgrounds I can unhitch from the TT and use the front reciever to "push" her in there if needed...just another option...
Thanks in advance,
joe.
...but I don't think it will be a problem...well I hope not...My question is for those that have installed one...how much front end disassembly is required to tuck the hitch up there? Big deal?
I do not have front fog/driving lights so that shouldn't be an issue...will I lose the tow hooks?
Any advice or tricks would be great!...if anyone has any links to pics of the steps during the install that would be great too!
I needed another spot to carry some bikes for when the kids bring friends...plus in tight campgrounds I can unhitch from the TT and use the front reciever to "push" her in there if needed...just another option...
Thanks in advance,
joe.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
bc,
THANKS!
Great photos!
Couple of quick questions back to you if you don't mind.
How does the grill come off? Mine is a 2005...I'm assuming when I pop the hood there are some fasteners there to start?...
Next question...I notice that the support under the wheel well has a fastener vertical that you took off...there is also a horizontal one on the outside of bumper...I assume only one has to come off?
Next...when the tow hooks come off and the receiver placed on the frame and the hooks reinstalled...are those the 4 bolts that require the grille removal?...do the bolts go thru the receiver, tow hooks and fasten from behind with those handle nut thingies!?!? L0L
I won't have to fight with the core heater on my V10...
I like the double stick tape idea for the washers...i'll use that one!
I don't have to have a front license plate in Indiana...but I like the clean plugs you inserted...I'll check out some of them too!
Last question...what did you have to drill? the frame or the hitch?...I couldn't tell...sorry.
THANKS AGAIN for your pics...I've bookmarked them for when I do this...looks like about a 2 hour job?
joe.
THANKS!
Great photos!
Couple of quick questions back to you if you don't mind.
How does the grill come off? Mine is a 2005...I'm assuming when I pop the hood there are some fasteners there to start?...
Next question...I notice that the support under the wheel well has a fastener vertical that you took off...there is also a horizontal one on the outside of bumper...I assume only one has to come off?
Next...when the tow hooks come off and the receiver placed on the frame and the hooks reinstalled...are those the 4 bolts that require the grille removal?...do the bolts go thru the receiver, tow hooks and fasten from behind with those handle nut thingies!?!? L0L
I won't have to fight with the core heater on my V10...
I like the double stick tape idea for the washers...i'll use that one!
I don't have to have a front license plate in Indiana...but I like the clean plugs you inserted...I'll check out some of them too!
Last question...what did you have to drill? the frame or the hitch?...I couldn't tell...sorry.
THANKS AGAIN for your pics...I've bookmarked them for when I do this...looks like about a 2 hour job?
joe.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 911
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From: Mexifornia
1)My grille has 4 phillips head screws on the top and 4 clips on the bottom: I take out the crews first then reach in the grille and feel for the clips; squeeze them and pull the bottom of the grille straight out, when all 4 are done lift the grille out.
2)On the bumper there is one support bolt on each side; then the 4 on the front of the bumper 2 each; next to the tow hooks.
3)No those are not the four bolts for the grille they are for the hitch and bumper.
4) You have to drill the BACK of the bumper(5/8") in the black steel area: I followed the instructions to a "t" but posted pics because even though there are few steps in the instructions I took my time and double checked everything...it would have been faster if I had some minimal help too.
2)On the bumper there is one support bolt on each side; then the 4 on the front of the bumper 2 each; next to the tow hooks.
3)No those are not the four bolts for the grille they are for the hitch and bumper.
4) You have to drill the BACK of the bumper(5/8") in the black steel area: I followed the instructions to a "t" but posted pics because even though there are few steps in the instructions I took my time and double checked everything...it would have been faster if I had some minimal help too.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 911
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From: Mexifornia
ADD that the tow hooks have their own (3) bolts each that you remove AFTER the bumper is off; use and extention to FEEL and remove bolts these are TAPERED threads so the come out hard and go in hard; my air tools even at 120ft. lbs. would not take them; out all by hand using 3/4" ratchet.
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
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From: Florida
bc,
Once again...THANKS!
I think with your photos and answers...I should be able to know what I'm in for ahead of time...I have to check to see if I've got a 5/8" bit though...I assume from the DONE! photo that the two shiny bolts to the inside of the tow hooks are the new ones you installed and had to drill for?...at least thats what it looked like to me.
Also I think I am going to have to see and experience the nut bars for myself! LOL...I can't figure out from the photos how 4 of them fit in / back there?
Thanks again and I will refer to your pics as I do it ... maybe next week...
Happy Easter and God Bless!
joe.
Once again...THANKS!
I think with your photos and answers...I should be able to know what I'm in for ahead of time...I have to check to see if I've got a 5/8" bit though...I assume from the DONE! photo that the two shiny bolts to the inside of the tow hooks are the new ones you installed and had to drill for?...at least thats what it looked like to me.
Also I think I am going to have to see and experience the nut bars for myself! LOL...I can't figure out from the photos how 4 of them fit in / back there?
Thanks again and I will refer to your pics as I do it ... maybe next week...
Happy Easter and God Bless!
joe.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 911
Likes: 0
From: Mexifornia
Yes the silver bolts are the new ones; just follow the directions and you should be alright...the most frustration is with the nuts for the backs of those new bolts...I used the double sided tape, punched a hole in it for the bolt and went to work...its all blind so patience is key so they don't get cross threaded...the last stage before tightening it all up is trying to get the bumper aligned this is where a second person can really help by pushing/pulling/lifting while you tighten bolts...I did it by myself so I had to ask my floor jack to help.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 634
Likes: 8
From: Southern Tier New York
I don't know where I read it... either here on FTE or on some other X ... but... I read a GRRREAT tutorial on how to install a front hitch receiver on a 2005... had to put some parts from a earlier model to make it work (I believe the bottom front crash bar thingie)...
Well, I tried for the past 20 minutes to find it... maybe someone else recalls?
Well, I tried for the past 20 minutes to find it... maybe someone else recalls?
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Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 5
From: chicago northwest suburbs
Joe, just curious what are you going to use it for? i`ve been kicking around the idea of getting one to mount a bike rack. with my new TT I don`t have the bike storage like our previous TT did.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Florida
Kevin,
I am in need to carry a couple more bikes. My youngest just got a 20" bike and my oldest a 24"...plus DW and my 26"...our hitch haul platform on the rear of the TT only carries 3 bikes...we "used" to stuff the little bike in the rear of the Ex...with the larger bike...I wanted another rack...plus space to carry "friends" bikes when they come camping...
So the front receiver is ordered from JCWhitney...along with a new hitch haul platform and 3 bike rack that bolts to it...that will give me 6 spots for bikes if needed!
The front receiver is also an option for pushing the larger TT into tight campsites if needed...pushing is easier than backing...usually.
But the MAIN reason is another bike hauling spot!
I'm told you may have to watch the trans temp by 1 - 2 degrees...I'm only going to haul the smaller 2 bikes up there this way they shouldn't block air OR headlights. if it does, I'm going to mount aux blinkers on the rack...but I'm not expecting an issue though...
So my goal is like yours BIKES! LOL
joe.
I am in need to carry a couple more bikes. My youngest just got a 20" bike and my oldest a 24"...plus DW and my 26"...our hitch haul platform on the rear of the TT only carries 3 bikes...we "used" to stuff the little bike in the rear of the Ex...with the larger bike...I wanted another rack...plus space to carry "friends" bikes when they come camping...
So the front receiver is ordered from JCWhitney...along with a new hitch haul platform and 3 bike rack that bolts to it...that will give me 6 spots for bikes if needed!
The front receiver is also an option for pushing the larger TT into tight campsites if needed...pushing is easier than backing...usually.
But the MAIN reason is another bike hauling spot!
I'm told you may have to watch the trans temp by 1 - 2 degrees...I'm only going to haul the smaller 2 bikes up there this way they shouldn't block air OR headlights. if it does, I'm going to mount aux blinkers on the rack...but I'm not expecting an issue though...
So my goal is like yours BIKES! LOL
joe.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 609
Likes: 3
From: Central Va
I'm looking into the same thing, but looks like I'll be going with somethign more like the LEED style( http://www.leedengineering.com/front.html )
I have the front fogs and don't want to lose them, plus I'll be using mine to go out on the beach fishing and I'll need the front attachment point for my cooler rack, so it will have some weight on it and I'm not the biggest fan of the single point attachment with the weight of a cooler(the sway makes me a little leery)
I plan on hopefully putting those on this weekend so I'll do a writeup as I go!
I have the front fogs and don't want to lose them, plus I'll be using mine to go out on the beach fishing and I'll need the front attachment point for my cooler rack, so it will have some weight on it and I'm not the biggest fan of the single point attachment with the weight of a cooler(the sway makes me a little leery)
I plan on hopefully putting those on this weekend so I'll do a writeup as I go!
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
Originally Posted by 71-4R3SONS
I don't know where I read it... either here on FTE or on some other X ... but... I read a GRRREAT tutorial on how to install a front hitch receiver on a 2005... had to put some parts from a earlier model to make it work (I believe the bottom front crash bar thingie)...
Well, I tried for the past 20 minutes to find it... maybe someone else recalls?
Well, I tried for the past 20 minutes to find it... maybe someone else recalls?
http://community.webshots.com/user/househug
The particular method used on my 2005 was so I could keep the OEM foglights in the original position and not lose them.
Most of the front hitches available for the super duties and the Excursions years 2004 and up can only use the hitches that attach to the front end of the frame, and you lose the fog lights. For the 2000 through 2003 Excursions, there is a front hitch made by Curt that does not require the fog light removal.
So, I purchased the front blockerbeam and the front spring hangers for a 2003, purchased the Curt front hitch that comes out under the skirt, and now I have the fogs and the hitch.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 609
Likes: 3
From: Central Va
housedad, great pics on the install, looks good, can you give me the measurement from the lowest point on the hitch to the ground?that was one of the hitches I had looked at at 1st but I think it coming from under the skirt is just going to be too low for what I need it to do....thanks
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,790
Likes: 24
From: Mount Royal, NJ
Bcrewcaptain-
If you are not concerned about OEM foglights, like I was, then there is really no need to go to the extra expense of adding the Curt HItch. The regular hitches that they sell will work great and have no clearance issues. I would have bought the standard in an instant if it was not for my desire for the OEM foglight positions.
Typical instructions for the standard hitches like Draw-tite, Reese, Curt, Hidden-hitch, etc. can be found here:
http://www.draw-tite.net/pdf/N65022.pdf
and here:
http://fileresource.sitepro.com/file...C268B34EDE.pdf
Instructions (They are not the greatest) for the Curt underslung hitch can be found here:
http://www.trailerhitches.com/images/pdf/CTM414.pdf
The only thing that I found in the difference (a friend has the higher standard hitch) is with the standard hitch, you need to find a bike carrier that has height adjustment, as the bikes stick up too far if the bar cannot be adjusted down. No issue with the underslung hitch. Also with the Curt unsderslung hitch, to be able to add a cargo carrier to the front, I needed to have a means to raise the reciever point and move it forward. The unit that is shown on the last pictures of my photo set shows the unit I bought. It worked out well.
If you are not concerned about OEM foglights, like I was, then there is really no need to go to the extra expense of adding the Curt HItch. The regular hitches that they sell will work great and have no clearance issues. I would have bought the standard in an instant if it was not for my desire for the OEM foglight positions.
Typical instructions for the standard hitches like Draw-tite, Reese, Curt, Hidden-hitch, etc. can be found here:
http://www.draw-tite.net/pdf/N65022.pdf
and here:
http://fileresource.sitepro.com/file...C268B34EDE.pdf
Instructions (They are not the greatest) for the Curt underslung hitch can be found here:
http://www.trailerhitches.com/images/pdf/CTM414.pdf
The only thing that I found in the difference (a friend has the higher standard hitch) is with the standard hitch, you need to find a bike carrier that has height adjustment, as the bikes stick up too far if the bar cannot be adjusted down. No issue with the underslung hitch. Also with the Curt unsderslung hitch, to be able to add a cargo carrier to the front, I needed to have a means to raise the reciever point and move it forward. The unit that is shown on the last pictures of my photo set shows the unit I bought. It worked out well.
Last edited by housedad; Apr 8, 2007 at 12:20 PM.
More Turbo
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 609
Likes: 3
From: Central Va
my night vision stinks, so the more light the better, thats why my options were limited, wanted to look as stock as possible but I need the mounting points as high as possible, my rod/cooler rack sticks out about 3ft and I need that as high as possible while still being able to retain the ability to haul a full cooler of bait/beer..umm..soda, and my poles as well while bouncing around in the sand...otherwise I would have done the standard hitch, but the lights and height are the 2 main factors for me at this point...