I've been looking at some front hitch pictures online and it seems that there is a couple of ways i could do it. I just have the stock bumper and no body lift. can you guys post a couple of pics of your front tow hitches? and any advice of what not to do or any other ideas are welcome

 

Permission to *****? I can oblige

(No body lift either)

 

see page one of my build thread, has some pics of my old front hitch

https://www.ranger-forums.com/projec...rescue-133236/

 

Same basic way off the front frame ears i just made mine removable I did reinforce/change design of the side brackets after this pic that was when i was mocking it up but that should give an idea.

 

Nice work, did you use a rear hitch, that you just cut out the two side?

 

thats a sweet truck man. can i just just get those two silver hooks from like pep boys or something?

 

I used a hitch from a Chevy 1500 on both my trucks. Cut them to size with a band saw and welded them to the frame.
Those "silver hooks" on Justin's truck, Mike's truck and my truck are from an FX4 Level II ranger and aren't exactly easy to come across. Mine are also welded on.

 

yeah i just found out that there really is none of those fx4 level II hooks out there. i also found out after taking off my bumper that i don't have a cross member...so thats already a bump in the rode for this project lol i did find this though
Ford Ranger 1992-2012 Front Trailer Hitch - Tow Receiver by Curt MFG #31063 | SuspensionConnection.com
not really sure if i want to pay $160 for it but do you think i could just slap some welds on it and call it a day? it says it'll fit but it looks way smaller than it should. that truck is f-ing sick dude

 

that hitch will bolt on but it'll hang really low. It'll sit under your valence. I personally don't think it'll look good and you don't necessarily "Need" the cross member. the main welds will be on the frame rails. the cross member welds are just extra.

Thanks, I try to keep my truck clean lol






This is the bolt-on style hitch similar to the one you linked above

 

I now have to find myself a 240V welder :P All I have acess to is a 120V pieces of junk

 

yeah i definitely don't want it hanging down that low. plus i found out in the awesome state of california (sarcasm) that its illegal to remove the front license plate... -__- but than again its not illegal if you don't get caught.

 

It's illegal here as well but I have mine on the drivers side of the windshield held on with 2 suction cups. never been pulled over for it in either of my trucks

 

When we (a friend and I) did mine we just used grade 8 hardware or stronger.

As for the plate, I need one too in ontario and we just took a class II hitch and cut it to a T then drilled holes for my plate. I can remove it at anytime with a ratchet and socket.

I'll post pics later.

 

yeah i'll just do that i think the worst that could happen is getting a fix-it ticket

 

the fact that I snapped a body/frame bolt with a hand tool on Dave's truck back in the day, I wouldn't trust a nut/bolt for a front hitch at all lol

Yeah I doubt they'd give you trouble for it, I sure wouldn't. I got my suction cups at the local auto parts store, came in a pack of 4 but i only used 2 since 4 is overkill. They have little ridges on the back side that hold the license plate onto it.

 

That's how they put hitches on in the rear.

As for something breaking on Dave's truck? Not surprised....

 

yes and they're not meant to be yanked on. I tacked welded a few spots on mine anyway lol

 

can you post a couple pics?

 

I have the same curt hitch you linked in a previous post on my 04. I'll get some pictures in the next few days. I don't think it hangs that low, its about an inch below the valence, (You have to trim valence slightly). Its very heavy duty and easy to install. It's rated at 9000lb line pull I believe. Personally I would consider it stronger than welding one between the frame rails. However, I will agree having it stick out above the valence is cleaner.

 

yeah i was really looking for it too not stick under the valence because the stock bumper doesn't have great ground clearance to begin with but that'd be awesome if you posted pics of yours since its rated at 9000lbs

 

Yea, I'll post pics when I get the chance.

 

Mine was a rear hitch that I cut down to size, don't know what it was from though.

You have to have a front plate in Missouri as well, but ever since I lifted the truck I've never gotten pulled over, I don't even keep it with me anymore.

 

Maybe that's a loophole, lifted trucks are exempt cus it's a lifestyle down there.

 

yeah i took mine off and it looks way better. so far i haven't gotten pulled over

 

Joe, I'm sorry. I've been busy and haven't had a chance to get pics. I will tho.