I'm about to remove my trailer hitch to repaint it (surface rust after 7 years). It looks straightforward and by loosening the gas tank bolts I can get at all the bolts on the frame, BUT, I have two bolts that look like they have their heads sheared off. I would have thought it was an assembly acccident, but they're the same on both sides, one per side in the same position. Just looks like the base of a nut with a bolt shaft sticking through anad both cut of flush.

Anybody have a clue?

Mike

 

Ford installs the rear receiver on ALL Excursions and markets it as a 'blocker beam' to keep smaller vehicles from driving up UNDER our vehicles. This is why you will NOT find any aftermarket receivers for the Excursions since there is a 'potential' LIABILITY issue with becoming part of a 'blocker beam' on a vehicle vs just a rear receiver hitch. All aftermarket hitch makers (Putnam, Reese, etc) don't want to get into the middle of a potential liability issue...and I can't say I blame them.

So what you have found are the 'shear' bolts that Ford installs to keep the receiver from being 'easily' removed. I've heard of a couple of folks that have removed this factory receiver and installed a 'modified' Pull-Rite hitch...I've NEVER seen photos.

BUT you have to imagine that rear receivers DO get damaged in accidents and body shops have to have a way to REPLACE them...

I'm not sure if you will have to drill out those bolts and then install a couple of bolts with nuts...if it is possible to get behind them or tap out the holes and put in REAL bolts...

I'd be interested to see what the solution is...I've always suspected that an F250/350 receiver will match up nicely...BUT not sure about those darn shear bolts...

I'm gonna watch this thread...

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

joe.

 

That's good to know. I thought about removing the hitch and bumper to do some cleanup and repaint on them but I was stumped by the removal procedure.

I'll investigate the shear bolts but I probably won't be able to do it for another month

Doug

 

I punted on the cleanup. Rather than remove the bar I just used a very fine brush and some por15. You can see brush marks in bright light, but after it starts getting dirty I doubt I'll even notice.

I think the shear bolts would have required an air chisel and dropping the tank. Ugh.

 

I'm fine with the air chisel. I'd hate to have to drop the tank, though.

My problem is I need to remove the bumper because there is body damage behind it that needs to be fixed.

I is it possible to just remove the bumper while the hitch is still installed?

Doug

 

mohrds - if you have access to an air chisel and aren't afraid to use it, dropping the tank is easy. 4 bolts, 2 in front and 2 in back. The fill tube and vent tubes are messy but easy to pull off. There's also fuel feed and return connected with those stupid quick-lock connectors that come off easily if you have the 50 cent tool.

Then lower the tank with a jack.

 

I'd have to dust off the air chisel, but it should still work. I may try it, but I really don't like the smell of gas and especially getting it on myself. You can call me a wuss if you like, I just don't like dealing with gas .

If I have to take out the tank, I'm going to take the hitch, bumper brackets and any other metal that comes off and powdercoat them so I don't have to mess with it again for many years.