• Welcome Visitor! Please take a few seconds and Register for our forum. Even if you don't want to post, you can still 'Like' and react to posts.

Installing hitch to my frame


Mhfco6

Active Member
Firefighter
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Messages
389
Reaction score
87
Points
28
Location
Virginia
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
235/75/15
I have a bumper mounted hitch now, but it's got to go. I hauled my first light load on a 5x10 trailer and it's pretty bent. I found a used hitch online, but I'm unsure if it will fit my truck. My main problem is I don't know where the mounting holes are. I'm working on posting pics of this used hitch now. Any help would be appreciated thanks

If you click on this link, you will see the pictures.
http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/nva/pts/5891808705.html
 


Doofy

Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
947
Reaction score
6
Points
18
Location
Alaska
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Shit Happens...Then You Die.
Brand new hitches are cheap! The only way to know if it fits is to get out a measuring tape and get to work. I don't think anyone on this forum can do that for you. The internet is not that advanced yet, I don't think. If there are model numbers on the tag you may be able to research it further.
 
Last edited:

Mhfco6

Active Member
Firefighter
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Messages
389
Reaction score
87
Points
28
Location
Virginia
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
235/75/15
Brand new hitches are cheap! The only way to know if it fits is to get out a measuring tape and get to work. I don't think anyone on this forum can do that for you. The internet is not that advanced yet, I don't think. If there are model numbers on the tag you may be able to research it further.
Right, I get it. This is just a beat around farm/hunting truck. Just trying to save a little money.. that's all. Thanks.
 

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,203
Reaction score
16,343
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
I used a hitch that wasn't meant for my truck. It was the kind with a square cross-member and vertical brackets. I cut the welds with a grinder and slid the brackets in to the width I needed. Then rewarded them to the square cross tube. I also welded the whole thing to my bumper to make one solid unit. Search my postings and you will find photos.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk
 

Doofy

Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
Joined
Jul 27, 2008
Messages
947
Reaction score
6
Points
18
Location
Alaska
Vehicle Year
1998
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Size
3.0
Transmission
Manual
My credo
Shit Happens...Then You Die.
With ingenuity and forethought, you can probably get it to fit. Just make sure it is strong and safe. If you are not proficient at fabbing and welding, find someone who is to help. If you are on the farm you are probably able to git-er-done.
 

Elutheros

Active Member
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
V8 Engine Swap
Joined
Jul 11, 2011
Messages
660
Reaction score
129
Points
43
Location
Central Texas
Vehicle Year
1992
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
V8
Engine Size
5.0
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
I can tell you that 41 inches is too wide, so you are going to have to do some cutting and welding to make it fit the frame rails. IIRC it's more like 33 inches--but you can measure and know for sure. By the time you do all that work or pay a pro to weld it you would be better just buying the correct hitch.
 

Die.Fledermaus

Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Sep 14, 2011
Messages
256
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
State of Jefferson, USA
Vehicle Year
86
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.0 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Manual
Total Lift
0"
Tire Size
215/75-15
Its not that hard, but be safe about. I typically build all my own because no over the counter solutions exist.
This method will cost you more money and time, so don't be fooled by cheap.
Start by measuring the frame rail spacing, then look for core hitches that you can work with.
 

Mhfco6

Active Member
Firefighter
Joined
Aug 23, 2015
Messages
389
Reaction score
87
Points
28
Location
Virginia
Vehicle Year
1988
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.9 V6
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Automatic
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
0
Total Drop
0
Tire Size
235/75/15
Good info here, thanks fellas! Could anyone post a pic of what holes they used to mount their hitch? I'm sure some of the holes are being used for the bumper mount now.. but just want to know where I should start.
 
Last edited:

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,203
Reaction score
16,343
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
Here are some pictures of how mine turned out. The hitch and bumper are upside-down in these photos. Since I welded the hitch to the bumper, I used the original bumper mounting holes and one hole through the upright bracket into the side of the truck frame on each side.

So far, the hitch has been used to anchor my truck on the bed of a roll-back truck and I have towed home a trailer with a full pallet of landscape blocks on it.
 

Attachments

Die.Fledermaus

Member
RBV's on Boost
Joined
Sep 14, 2011
Messages
256
Reaction score
4
Points
18
Location
State of Jefferson, USA
Vehicle Year
86
Make / Model
Ford
Engine Type
2.0 (4 Cylinder)
Engine Size
2.9
Transmission
Manual
Total Lift
0"
Tire Size
215/75-15

ericbphoto

Overlander in development
TRS Event Staff
TRS Forum Moderator
Supporting Member
U.S. Military - Veteran
TRS 20th Anniversary
VAGABOND
TRS Event Participant
GMRS Radio License
Joined
Feb 7, 2016
Messages
15,203
Reaction score
16,343
Points
113
Age
59
Location
Wellford, SC
Vehicle Year
1993
Make / Model
Ford Ranger
Engine Type
3.0 V6
Engine Size
3.0L
Transmission
Manual
2WD / 4WD
4WD
Total Lift
6"
Tire Size
35"
My credo
In theory, theory and practice are the same. In practice, they are different.
I can't compete with anything fancy enough to paint, that is way over my class.
Grinders and paint,
Grinders and paint,
Make a welder
What he ain't.

:D :icon_welder:

I like your front bumper.
 

Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Staff online

Member & Vendor Upgrades

For a small yearly donation, you can support this forum and receive a 'Supporting Member' banner, or become a 'Supporting Vendor' and promote your products here. Click the banner to find out how.

Truck of The Month


Kirby N.
March Truck of The Month

Recently Featured

Want to see your truck here? Share your photos and details in the forum.

Follow TRS On Instagram

TRS Events

25th Anniversary Sponsors

Check Out The TRS Store


Sponsored Ad


Sponsored Ad

Sponsored Ad


Amazon Deals

Top