Im looking at putting a front hitch on my truck when i get my sl done. can someone show me how to do this and what parts i will need or if there is a link to someone who has a how to on how to do it it would be greatly appreciated.

 

not too sure how, but you should change the title (advanced edit post) to "how do i..." you will get more views from people who know your answer

 

yea i guess i should thanks for the input

 

Cool you're welcome. Talk about having to jump through hoops with that link. holy crap. is it really ridiculous.

 

haha i know what you mean. i really appreciate it though just looking to get some new things done to my truck since im getting the superlift this weekend and im gonna be getting a bodylift and some new wheels.

 

Get yourself a cheap used rear hitch of any kind of junk. Can be off anything pretty much, what it came off of is no concern, just make sure it's bigger than 30" wide and the main tube is straight, not bent like alot of stock rear ranger hitches are.

If not bodylifted: I prefer one with the insert hole in-line with the rest of the hitch. If bodylifted: I prefer one with the insert offset(lowered) from the rest of the hitch.....that is, if it's not offset more than 3". Those offset ones are a little iffy on front hitch applications.


Get some 3/16-3/8 pieces of angle iron cut to about 6" lengths or so. Clamp those to the frame. Then cut your hitch to fill the gap between the angle irons. Tack into place or clamp into place then install bumper to verify hole clearences. Get it right, final tack it, test fit again, then fully weld it. Either weld to frame or have fun using bolts.

Bodylifted is a little iffy on what needs to be done. It depends on what hitch you're starting out with. Either way, for a bodylift on a torsion bar truck, that front crossmember needs to be cut a little more than half way up it. You can weld it to the hitch if you're good with a cut off wheel too....would strengthen up that dinky crossmember. My front hitch is just too high(my own fault) and had to trim the valence to make it usable and keep a good grille/bumper gap.

Or install as below for a non-BL truck, then cut your valence.








On my BL'd truck. Used a now out of production Hidden front hitch for 98+ Rangers...but mounted ONTOP of the frame to compensate for the BL. If I could do it all over again, I would using a junkyard hitch and making it perfect before I fully welded the thing on. Like I noted above, I had to trim my valence to actually use the hitch. The hitch reciever sits about 3/4" to 1" too high.

 

buy a hitch that has a straight bar. (i picked up a silverado hitch for 20 bucks on craigslist) cut it to the size you need then notch the front cross member and weld the sucker on. i haven't even put mine on yet but it will be on in march

 

heres mine... drawtite 65017

 

Hey Fx4wannabe01, you mentioned cutting your valence for a non BL truck. Is there a way to mount the hitch so you don't have to cut you valence? Or while it not fit otherwise?

 

He meant that if you were BL, you could install a normal hitch and cut your valance so you can use the hitch in a stock location (like some people do with the tow hooks).

 

i think it looks cool with the valance cut to fit exactly around it

 

Ok, so I won't have to do any trimming to the valance then.

Just use a flat hitch and it will work?

EDIT: also does anyone have a profile shot of their front hitch? I'd like to see about how far they come out of the valence

 

Yeah, if you're making your front hitch from another (like detailed int he above picture), you can make it come out anyway you want.

The hitch comes flat to the front of the bumper, or slightly inward. Again, if you're making it yourself, you make it how you want it, how best it works for you.

it really is that simple.

 

Cool, thanks for the help

 

No problem dude. Custom work is great becuase you do it to how you want it. lol. Good luck on the build!!!

 

About how far does everyone's hitch stick out? Just for reference, I'd like to be able to put the clevis on without it hitting the bumper

 

when i built mine, i made it slightly inward (like ~.5inch). not quite flush with the front of the bumper. this is plenty of room to get your hands in there to insert the pin but it is still discrete looking.

 

Like Grant said, it really does matter how you fab it up. Test fits of the bumper with the hitch mocked up is pretty much essencial. And taking measurements, etc. Another variable is your hitch insert you'll be using. Some are long with the hole for the pin drilled way towards the back, yet others are in the middle. It depends. I suggest getting your insert you wanna use, THEN build your hitch to fit.

My shackle doesn't hit the valence. Only if I force it to it will...like pushing it towards the valence. The shackle insert I use is from etrailer.com and cost $30. Solid milled steel with a 7/8" shackle. I find it perfect for my application because it doesn't stick out too far, yet it's not so sucked in that it hits the valence at 'idle'.

Here's a profile of mine. I'll get one with valence and shackle installed here later today and post it up for ya.

 

sweet, that's about where I want mine to sit

 

I was looking at the front end to see where I'm gonna mount it and I see that the trans cooler lines are pretty much directly in the way.

Anyone who did this have the same issue?

 

you can move it

 

Do you mean move the trans cooler, or just the trans cooler lines?

The hoses look pretty flexible so I suppose they can sit on top of the hitch

 

I just got mine welded on...tranny lines weren't an issue...

 

Maybe I need to actually get the hitch and mock it into place. Then I can see what I'm dealing with

 

yeah thats the best way to do it. I had to trim my valence a little bit but you can't tell really since its all black lol
hell, ill ***** a bit haha