Brian, transplant for what??
trailer hitch is on!
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
trailer hitch is on!
We installed a class 3/4 trailer hitch on Gracie this weekend. It is Drawtite # 40050 listed for 72 Ford F100 among others. It is a 3 piece unit with 2 side plates with a short section of square tube welded to each and a square tube cross piece with the receiver box attached. It can be used on a 34 or 38" frame.
It was handy to have it in 3 pieces as the whole thing weighs close to 100#.
I was able to use one existing frame hole on each side and drill two more. I bolted the side pieces in place by the one hole, marked the location of the other two then pivot the side piece aside to drill. There is an ample sized cutout to straddle the spring shackle. I then bolted one side in place completely, removed the other side, then slipped the cross piece into the mounted side. Slid the other side piece on, bolted it in place then bolted the cross piece to the two sides. all but about the lower 1" of the cross piece is above the lower edge of the rear pan and the receiver box extends out enough that an extension for the draw bar should not be required to clear the bumper. The hitch cost 145.00 from ehitch.com and I also bought a lighting connector for 7.00 because they had a 5.00 shipping deal with any order >150.00.
It was handy to have it in 3 pieces as the whole thing weighs close to 100#.
I was able to use one existing frame hole on each side and drill two more. I bolted the side pieces in place by the one hole, marked the location of the other two then pivot the side piece aside to drill. There is an ample sized cutout to straddle the spring shackle. I then bolted one side in place completely, removed the other side, then slipped the cross piece into the mounted side. Slid the other side piece on, bolted it in place then bolted the cross piece to the two sides. all but about the lower 1" of the cross piece is above the lower edge of the rear pan and the receiver box extends out enough that an extension for the draw bar should not be required to clear the bumper. The hitch cost 145.00 from ehitch.com and I also bought a lighting connector for 7.00 because they had a 5.00 shipping deal with any order >150.00.
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
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From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
Hey Frank,
could you lay down and take a few pics... I'd like to do something similar and have the receiver hide behind the frenched in tag in the roll pan... is that doable with your hitch set up ??? figured I'd have to fab up my own mount since the tank is out back and there ain't a lot of room. I'd like to have it completely hidden but as most things in my life... I don't always get what I'd like
thanks
John
could you lay down and take a few pics... I'd like to do something similar and have the receiver hide behind the frenched in tag in the roll pan... is that doable with your hitch set up ??? figured I'd have to fab up my own mount since the tank is out back and there ain't a lot of room. I'd like to have it completely hidden but as most things in my life... I don't always get what I'd like
thanks
John
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From: Durham NC
John, I'll try to get some pix this weekend for you. I tried to mount mine as far to the rear as possible, but it could have been mounted further forward. In fact the panel has ~ a 12" bolted in frame extension at the rear and I mounted it at the end of that extension. You might need to add a spacer or two between the front mount and the frame if you get further into the kick up over the axle, but they give you tons of spacers with it. The drop from the bottom of the frame to the top of the receiver box is ~ 6". the box is welded to the bottom of the cross tube. I don't think it would interfere with a rear mounted tank unless it was at the extreme end of the frame. I have plenty of room to mount a spare in the stock location.
Last edited by AXracer; Jul 5, 2007 at 07:58 PM.
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[off-topic] I am on dialysis and with the teeth removed (had a lot of other medical stuff done already), I can finally get on the kidney transplant waiting list. It takes years and years to get one. There are not nearly enough people who are organ donors. [/topic]
Anyway, the medical expenses are why I can't order one a receiver hitch right now. I talked to the same people (E-mailed actually) that AX did to get measurements. They were very helpful.
Anyway, the medical expenses are why I can't order one a receiver hitch right now. I talked to the same people (E-mailed actually) that AX did to get measurements. They were very helpful.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Massillon, Ohio
Ax, good job. Is Gracie about ready to hit the road?
Brian, hope every thing works out.
I'll loan you one of mine if it will work! My friend helped his brother and both are doing great!
You have to give it back in 50 or 60 years when your done with it though.
Kevin
Brian, hope every thing works out.
I'll loan you one of mine if it will work! My friend helped his brother and both are doing great!
You have to give it back in 50 or 60 years when your done with it though.
Kevin
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
I posted a couple pix of the installation in my "making changes" gallery. I have more if anyone needs them.
Best wishes for ya Brian, hope one comes along soon so you can get off the dialysis and back to your truck.
Best wishes for ya Brian, hope one comes along soon so you can get off the dialysis and back to your truck.
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old and in the way
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From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
Originally Posted by AXracer
I posted a couple pix of the installation in my "making changes" gallery. I have more if anyone needs them.
Best wishes for ya Brian, hope one comes along soon so you can get off the dialysis and back to your truck.
Best wishes for ya Brian, hope one comes along soon so you can get off the dialysis and back to your truck.
thanks for the pics.. I see your rcvr is coming out close under the pan. I'm gonna try to get mine up behind the plate if possible... won't be able to tell till I get bed/pan mounted up and that is a ways down the road. I'll take all the pics you can send me for reference... if you have the time.
Gracie is lookin good..
later
John
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Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Valley Center, California
I own a Business that requires my customer to have a 2" Receiver Hitch to use my product. I don't sell Hitches but my customers often ask about this stuff.
There are several good Hitch Sources out there. Draw-Tite, Reese and Curt are all top-drawer companies that compete against each other.
If you need extensions and extra long Ball-Mounts try "Northern Tool" and "Friedl Performance Products".
It's been too many years but as I recall, a mid-80s Chevy Blazer Draw-Tite Hitch bolted in my last '49F1 without any mods. Don't quote me though. :-)
There are several good Hitch Sources out there. Draw-Tite, Reese and Curt are all top-drawer companies that compete against each other.
If you need extensions and extra long Ball-Mounts try "Northern Tool" and "Friedl Performance Products".
It's been too many years but as I recall, a mid-80s Chevy Blazer Draw-Tite Hitch bolted in my last '49F1 without any mods. Don't quote me though. :-)
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Durham NC
The nice thing about the drawtite model I used is that it will fit a 34 or a 38" frame which covers most brands/models of light trucks, and being 3 pieces it was much easier than a 1 piece unit for a DIY install. I couldn't find any that mounted any closer to the frame, but I'd bet this one could be modified slightly so it mounted to the top/side of the frame rather than the bottom.
I have a lightweight Curt hitch on my Solstice and the weight distribution setup for the car trailer is also made by Curt.
I have a lightweight Curt hitch on my Solstice and the weight distribution setup for the car trailer is also made by Curt.
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