Front hitch installed, finally (and a hi-lift jack)....
 

Finally, my little contribution to this site.

I got my custom front hitch installed, finally!
It started out as a rusted hitch off a mini-van. Got a welder to cut it down, canabalize the brackets on either end to make new brackets as per my measurements, and voila!

I opted for the style of hitch where the 2" reciever hangs below the cross bar, that way when I turn it upside down, it is less noticable, and doesn't impede air flow to my rad.

Installed using 4x 4" long, 1/2" grade 8 bolts.
Still need to sleeve the bolts inside the frame rail cause the frame started to deform when I tightened down the bolts....

Main reason I wanted this was for a front recovery/jacking point. I dunno why Ford only put tow hooks on 4wd trucks. The 2wd'ers need it more, as they will get stuck more, but anyways.


I am very happy how it turned out, fits like a mitt. Sits prefectly behind the valance. And also for an added bonus, if I ever hit something that would take out my rad, chances are it will hit the hitch first, since it hangs down a bit, although the valance will die in the process.
Hitch:
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...c/IMG_2529.jpg

Image taken from the opening in my valance showing how its mounted:
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...c/IMG_2530.jpg

From inside drivers side wheel well:
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...c/IMG_2528.jpg

See how hidden it is:
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...c/IMG_2531.jpg
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...c/IMG_2533.jpg

And why would I need a jacking point up front? Not for the little itty bitty bottle jack that came with the truck, but my steal of a deal ($40) for my 60" hi-lift.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...c/IMG_2146.jpg

Mounted with the 4xrac. I looked at the loc-rac, but from the website I ordered it from, it looked like a POS.
http://i396.photobucket.com/albums/p...c/IMG_2145.jpg

Nice! I like how the bolts that mount the receiver go all the way through the frame.

looks great, and now you can be cool at the lake and drive your truck nose first down to the dock with your boat

Looks beefy and great deal on the jack. Turned out real clean!

Lol. That would be a site to see!

question? would this make turning better or harder? the turn wheels would be in the middle as to at the front. would your turns have to be as wide, not as wide or even wider to compensate for your bed?

try it in a parking lot and let us know. also, in another thread, someone suggested to mount a plate with your license plate to hide it even more.

I live in Quebec, we don't need no stinkin' front license plates.

Also, I am good at backing up a trailer normally.

And if you start to back up something really heavy with a front hitch, you back wheels won't have much traction to get out, cause all the weight is on the front.

I had a neighbor once who installed a front hitch cause he couldn't back up a trailer woth ****. We still make fun of him.

Main reason for front hitch was lack of recovery points up front. Plus I want to put a big mother of a tow hook up there. I found one for $40. Cast 15k pound tow hook. Its about a foot high and wide. I plan on getting it when I want to make myself feel good about something someday.

Looks real good. Nicely done

do the bolts for the highlift go all the way through your bed?

They go through the bed wall and the bolts are inside the rear fender. Ther bed walls are two layes with a space a couple inches wide inside, just enough room to stick a skinny arm into, and have someone on the outside tighten the bolt down.

Let me know if you want a picture.

Both look good. I like it.

lift now!

I was going to be lifting it this month (3" coils w/new upper arms), but somebody who "comitted" to selling me their parts on this site decided to back out without letting me know until he finally replied to my email and said he wasn't gona sell me the parts anymore.

Anyways, looks like a body lift may be in my future.

very nice, i like the mount in the bed for the jack

Looking great