Front reciever hitch

[zmdz]

I would like a front receiver hitch for my 92 ranger.
Plan to use it for a receiver mounted winch and a snow plow.
Does anyone here have experience with this? What brand is best? Draw tite, Reese or Curt???
Any problems with doing this??
Thanks

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

I usually make my own by adapting an existing rear receiver or using a receiver tube from Princess Auto (Canadian Harbour Freight) and some other metal.hanging around.
Did one on an 85 B-2 and current truck an 06 Dodge 1500

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

It might be kind of easy to bend a single hitch tube with a snow plow. You can get a lot of leverage going if you snag something with the end of the blade especially at speed.

I made my own but my truck is a lot different than yours (and has a bodylift so the bumper sits higher off the frame than original)

 

[Josh B]

Nice truck there man

 

[ericbphoto]

I made my own, built into my custom bumper. I don’t snow plow, though. It’s mostly used as a recovery point. I used to have a spare tire carrier I could put in it.

 

[zmdz]

Did the spare tire mount on the front cause any trouble with cooling???

 

[zmdz]

It might be kind of easy to bend a single hitch tube with a snow plow. You can get a lot of leverage going if you snag something with the end of the blade especially at speed.

I made my own but my truck is a lot different than yours (and has a bodylift so the bumper sits higher off the frame than original)

Good point but I only plan on using it at my business. My state requires snow removal from the parking lot and it doesn't snow that much here so it would be pretty light duty use.

 

[ericbphoto]

Did the spare tire mount on the front cause any trouble with cooling???

I had trouble on the way to work one morning. But that was before I got everything fine tuned with the sensor in the lower radiator hose and the right thermostat. I haven’t done it lately. But I think it might be ok now.

 

[4x4prepper]

I make my own bumpers, BUT, to do what you are doing I would get an adjustable front or rear receiver from e-trailer that fits a 34" wide frame (older F series and E vans).

Like this hitch I bought for $10 at an auction, looks like it will fit my 1989 F-150. One tube slides within another and is fasten in place by (2) 5/8" (?) grade 5 bolts on each side.

More then enough for what you are wanting to do with your Ranger. I would certainly back the nut side of the frame with plate if not an actual left to right cross member. I posted pictures here how I bent a frame with a tow hook by not having it backed up. Got the stuck F-350 out though ...

I would encourage you to get a plastic snow plow and not a steel one so if something breaks when hitting a solid object, it's the mould board and not your frame. Ideally, you buy a plow with springs and mushrooms, but, if you are looking at $1000 or under, go plastic.

> it doesn't snow that much here so it would be pretty light duty use.

A walk behind blower with rubber blades would be my choice. I found that best for getting to pavement on small jobs and sidewalks. Small blower on the front of the truck would do if there is a reason walking would be too much of a hassle.