Finally got around to snapping a few pics of the hitch today.

It basically follows my original design, with a few modifications.

Rear views:







Side views:







Back views:






Glad I got this thing bolted up before I had surgery, that thing weighs a TON!


Few shots of the old grille with a new coat of Krylon Fusion black too...

 

grill looks good.

you should mount the ford logo upside down like me :)

 

It sits real flush with the truck.

Good work.

 

um little bit of thin metal... i wouldnt trust it sorry..

 

i'm so glad KY got rid of that homosexual looking license plate.

hitch looks clean.

 

i have to agree i cant see how that is strong enough to tow anything with or even use it to pull out you i would be afraid it would tear right off

 

i want your valence

 

hitch looks like its gana get ripped away you need to beef it up

 

yeah no offense, but that hitch looks weak. its a good start but it needs more steel

 

i like the grille :)

 

good job

 

x2

 

The top 2x2 bar is a full 1/4" thick steel that goes through a 1/4" steel bracket on both sides (that also has 2" angle iron welded all around) that connects to the frame via 3x 1/2" bolts per side.

The 2"+ drop from the 2x2 is part of the receiver tube that's between 3/16" & 1/4" thick wall.

The rear & angled braces are a 1/2" thick (with additional 1/2" thick U channel edges).

I'm thinking that a similar angled brace (welded above the safety chain ring) all the way up to the top 2x2 bar would add some additional side to side stabilization should there be any flex from the 2"+ drop.

What else could I use to beef it up even more?

I'm not going to be towing a 50' boat or anything reaching 1/2 a ton.