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Hitch Compatibility


honhon

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Hey all, I may pick up an OEM ford hitch from someone tomorrow from a 1999 ranger...

would it fit my 88 ranger? it seems the etrailer part numbers for other hitches seem to cross over a number of years of the ranger but i wasnt sure about the OEM one...

thanks!

if it helps, it seems it may mount via the side of the frame rails and maybe one bolt on the bottom rather than both bolts from the bottom like ive seen on etrailer.com....
 
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Captain Ledd

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Don't know for sure off the top of my head.

But I do know that the replacement spare tire carrier is still the same part # for those years. If the width is right a hole can be easily drilled.

Any way to just slide it up there to check for fit without taking stuff apart?
 
Sasquatch_Ryda

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From what I've seen hitches all fit 83-2011
 
UrbanRedneckKid

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The difference is 98+ trucks have the spare between the frame rails, thus there are bent down edges. Aftermarket hitches fit all trucks, but come with 1/4" spacers to install accordingly.
 

honhon

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well i picked it up... 40$ its an OEM ford hitch so why not... no hardware which is fine because ACE sells a bunch of nice grade 8 flange nuts and bolts for nice OEM looking installations...

but anyways, i layed it under the rear of the truck and then I checked it out, didnt pick it up or anything, but just eyeballing, it should work...

Ill have to drill 6 holes though instead of the normal 2 holes that sometimes get drilled in the bottom of the frame rail...

Ill have to drill the 2 bottom holes and then the 4 side holes... I read somewhere that the newer rangers already have these 4 holes drilled in the side frame rails for the hitches....

I'm planning on spraying my rear frame off sinse there is still sand on it from god knows when and im going to knock the loose stuff off with a scotch pad and POR15 the rear area so drilling wont be a rust issue for me...

and also... after looking and thinking about it... I actually like the way this hitch mounts over an aftermarket for the simple fact that aftermarket hitches only bolt mostly from the bottom which in theory can let the hitch bend technically...

the way this OEM hitch is by being bolted through the frame rails it should have a greater "tear" force...

i dont ever plan doing anything remotely possible that'll cause a hitch to do that... its just a piece of mind to know that its even more solidly mounted....
 
fyre82

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Please post up some picks. I've been looking for a solution to my tail dragger hitch, and a better solution to a front hitch although the one I have tucks great.

Rich
 

honhon

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i can probably do a write up when i do it... it'll be an involved process for me because im going to POR15 the rear of the frame
 
fyre82

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That would be cool if you care to.
 

honhon

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i POR15'd the hitch the other day, giving it a few days to cure and then i have to hit ACE harware for some nuts and bolts.
 

honhon

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here are some progress pictures
 

honhon

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pictures are of the driver side then the passenger side then the driver side again with the 1/8 pilot holes drilled...
 
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