Has Anyone put a Hitch Receiver on the front of a first gen 4X4 Ranger (1983-1988)??

[GingerKing13]

I am trying to find the best way to put a front receiver on my 1988 Ranger XLT 4x4 so that I can throw a winch on there when I'm wheeling and take it off when I'm not and to be able to push trailers around the yard at work. I know there are a few universal receivers out there that can be made to fit but I wanted to check in first and see if anyone else has already done this and how they went about it. I currently have the stock chrome bumper in the front and wish to keep it however, I don't mind cutting a square to fit the end of the receiver through the bumper about where the license plate goes (don't need one in FL) to keep her high and tight to the body and out of the sand/mud. Thank you for the support and participation!

 

[Shran]

I did, I made a hitch that bolts to the bottom of the frame rails and I cut a hole in the bumper for it to go through. Like you I was concerned about it being too low if it was below the bumper, especially with a winch. Works great and I am very pleased with it.

 

[GingerKing13]

I did, I made a hitch that bolts to the bottom of the frame rails and I cut a hole in the bumper for it to go through. Like you I was concerned about it being too low if it was below the bumper, especially with a winch. Works great and I am very pleased with it.

What do you mean you made the hitch? how did you make it or did you take the same receiver that fits the rear and retrofit it to the front rails?

 

[Shran]

Pardon the crude image but this is basically what it looks like. It was homemade. I used a piece of rectangle tube for the main part and cut a hole in it for the 2" receiver tube to slide into and welded that in place. Bolts go up through the tabs on the sides and into the bottom of the frame.

 

[GingerKing13]

Pardon the crude image but this is basically what it looks like. It was homemade. I used a piece of rectangle tube for the main part and cut a hole in it for the 2" receiver tube to slide into and welded that in place. Bolts go up through the tabs on the sides and into the bottom of the frame.

View attachment 67239

not crude at all man, what gauge tubing did you use?

 

[Uncle Gump]

@Shran did you eat all your colored crayons again?

 

[Shran]

not crude at all man, what gauge tubing did you use?

I think it was probably 1/8" or 3/16". I'd be comfortable using 1/8" but nothing thinner here... 1/4" at max.

@Shran did you eat all your colored crayons again?

Sniffed too many sharpies and forgot where I put the colored ones!

 

[GingerKing13]

I think it was probably 1/8" or 3/16". I'd be comfortable using 1/8" but nothing thinner here... 1/4" at max.



Sniffed too many sharpies and forgot where I put the colored ones!

one last question on building my own, How long was the 2" receiver tube you used? Im think 9" or maybe 12"? Im leaning more toward the 12" I guess I could always cut it down if needed but just curious on what you used.

 

[tw205]

What I did most likely is not what you intend but maybe draw some inspiration. I built a bumper/ brush guard for my gen2. I incorporated one receiver extension and one clevis pin hitch on the frame mount location. I’ve used it to move trailers around as well as pulling F250s out of the snow bank. The receiver is so universal. A fella could make multiple tools from a winch to and anvil or vice. Hell even a work table to mount on there. Check it out.

It fits my 1st gen as well.

 

[GingerKing13]

What I did most likely is not what you intend but maybe draw some inspiration. I built a bumper/ brush guard for my gen2. I incorporated one receiver extension and one clevis pin hitch on the frame mount location. I’ve used it to move trailers around as well as pulling F250s out of the snow bank. The receiver is so universal. A fella could make multiple tools from a winch to and anvil or vice. Hell even a work table to mount on there. Check it out. View attachment 67241

Very nice TW 205 I waned to do a full winch bumper however weight is an issue, I need to stay as light as I can in the front to avoid rubbing and keep my flotation on the sand here in FL as well as my gearing is short so I struggle with low end torque and the 2.9 doesn't really love high rpm all the time. But that is about how far I think I want the receiver to be sticking out so that my winch carrier would clear the light bars up front. Im not a great welder but it looks like I may be getting some extra practice if I end up going the route of building my own.

 

[tw205]

Very nice TW 205 I waned to do a full winch bumper however weight is an issue, I need to stay as light as I can in the front to avoid rubbing and keep my flotation on the sand here in FL as well as my gearing is short so I struggle with low end torque and the 2.9 doesn't really love high rpm all the time. But that is about how far I think I want the receiver to be sticking out so that my winch carrier would clear the light bars up front. Im not a great welder but it looks like I may be getting some extra practice if I end up going the route of building my own.

Yes she does weigh a bit. I estimate 100lbs.
First time I took my wrangle into sand just to turn around. She sank in. Didn’t think I was gonna get out but eventually she did.
I have 410s with an LS rear in that rig and a 3” body lift with 31x1050s It helps but your right the 2.9 is week in the HP department.

 

[GingerKing13]

Yes she does weigh a bit. I estimate 100lbs.
First time I took my wrangle into sand just to turn around. She sank in. Didn’t think I was gonna get out but eventually she did.
I have 410s with an LS rear in that rig and a 3” body lift with 31x1050s It helps but your right the 2.9 is week in the HP department.

Yep that's what I estimated for materials then an additional 50-60lbs for the winch, Im also on 31x10.50 but I'm on 3.73 gears with LS front and rear extended cab filled with too many tools to count so shes heavy as is. I will do something similar to what you have when I trash the Dana 28 and replace with a dana 44 out of a jeep and ill be able to change gear ratios. I haven't found a set of 4.10s for that damn Dana 28, the only thing I found was a set of 4.56s but that's far to tall for 31s for me. What front axle is in the bronco you got the 28 or the 35?

 

[tw205]

She still has the 28. I have a first gen with a 35 I robbed from a 90 BII

 

[GingerKing13]

Ah your setup looks similiar to mine but i had a different sway bar setup that went behind the front axel between the radius arms but I ended up leaving the sway bar out after I installed the lift and other than the bump-steer it rides like a dream. What bushing set is that? I need pitman arm bushing, and tie rod bushings but haven't found poly urethane like yours

 

[tw205]

I got all the bushings from bronco graveyard. I still have yet to drive it since the lift and body off restoration. Started with body lift but got a little carried away. I put the skyjacker FA600 drop pitman arm on hoping to avoid the bump steer. She still needs all the brakes south of the master cylinder, shocks and a fuel tank. Has an old 2.8 in it still just to keep it off the garage floor. Really want a 5.0.