im going to be welding up a front hitch out of 2 1/2 square with a 3/16th wall its what i got laying around my thing is if i put it between the frame rails and bolt it on i have a few hoses that might be in the way im sure i can fit that tho or should i just mount it under the frame rails? for now i got the stock bumper on it till i make my own i got some 1/4 steel for mounting plates just unsure if i should put it inbetween or under the frame rails?

2000 ford ranger 4x4

 

Mine was between the frame rails

Used a chevy 1500 rear hitch and cut it up

 

mine is in the same place as his. my hitch was from super duty

 

Just wondering, what is the advantage of having this?

 

and hitch mounted accessories, you can mount on the fron tof your truck, say if you are towing and have a hitch cargo carrier, fishing rod holder, grill, winch, etc, you could stick it on the front. you can also use it for moving trailers around, depending where you want them to go it can be easier to go head first.

 

I had never thought of that it actually sounds like a good idea.

 

you'll need the front cross member from 4x4 first

 

Brb, painting my thumbscrew body color on my D-ring.

Yea, you need to have the front crossmember. otherwise there isn't anything to weld to.

 

Heres some pics from building my hitch.

 

I welded mine to the frame inside the frame, since there is NO front CM on a 1st gen. I have had the living #$%#^$ yanked out of the hitch, and no cracks, twists, or other after almost 6 years of using it. I use it for a recovery point both for me and for other when they get stuck.

 

 

How much does something like this cost to do?

 

if you know how to weld, it costs a used hitch off craigslist. I paid $35 for mine and a friend of mine helped me get it in.

 

For me it was just the cost of the parts.

Hitch's can be very cheap, I can't remember how much mine was, like $30-40, my Level 2 tow hooks were like $50. Then I paid $50 for the D-ring and receiver mount.

My friend welded it, but paying to have it done wouldn't be a huge expense

 

how much would the cross member off a 4x4 cost

 

go to a jy and find out lol

 

Your better off boxing in the front of the frame instead of going with a stock crossmember. Especially since you have to weld anyway.

 

What do you mean by boxing the front end.... I'm not welder

 

Instead of a 4x4 crossmember you would put a piece of square stock there.

 

By the time you got the 4X Crossmember out it would be cut up and you would need more work to fix it and put it in place than just doing as 98liftedranger has suggested or do as P.C. has suggester and get a used 2” Receiver setup and cut it up to fit.

 

I'm cutting up a f150 Reese hitch I already have but I might use some of the extra pieces to make more support rather then run a anouther full metal piece accross....
I already have to relocate my P.A. speaker..... I had in the front.

 

Using the reese hitch across the front is a good idea, extra strength.
The only question would be, does the side rails have a place to weld to; maybe reenforcement on either side would be a good idea.

 

You can weld to any part of the frame there.
In Taylors thread he had a good example. If you cut the hitch right, it'll drop right in between the frames and you can weld it strait to the frame. I'm too lazy to go find the picture. But i know its been done countless time. Just do a search for Front Hitch.

 

What about taking some channel, that will fit over the frame (tightly I would hope).
Weld it to the frame to re-enforce the area that will have the hitch attached.
I have never been happy with the thickness of the OEM frames, Ford or any manufacturer wants to get away with using as little steel as possible ($$$).

Once the Channel is in place then cut the hitch to fit between.

If a body lift is being used then get larger channel and extend upward to fit which opening you like…

Just thinking out loud.

 

To be honest, It doesn't matter.
Why would you re-enforce it? the Hitch doesn't put that much strain on the front of the truck and if you weld it right then it'll be just as strong as the frame.