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Front Mount Receiver Install


-Nathan-

Well-Known Member
Article Contributor
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Joined
Jun 6, 2009
Messages
1,922
City
Saskatoon, SK, Canada
Vehicle Year
1993 / 2001
Transmission
Manual
Original Poster: -Nathan-

Difficulty:
4 out of 10

Time to install: 0.5-1 hrs.


Disclaimer: The Ranger Station.com, The Ranger Station.com Staff, nor the original poster are responsible for you doing this modification to your vehicle. By doing this modification and following this how-to you, the installer, take full responsibility if anything is damaged or messed up. If you have questions, feel free to PM the original poster or ask in the appropriate section of The Ranger Station.com forums.

Brief Explanation: For those of us without tow hooks, this is a great alternative for a place to pull on. The Hidden Hitch receiver is no longer in production, but this Drawtite one is readily available.

Tools Needed:

- jack/stands
- various wrenches/sockets

Parts Needed:
- Drawtite 65017
- 2 – 2.5” X 0.5” grade 8 bolts (optional)
- about 12 – 0.5” washers (optional)

Steps:

1. First you need to get your front mount hitch, I purchased this Drawtite 65017 from hitchesonline.com

IMG_1012.jpg


2. This is the hardware that comes with the hitch, I opted to exchange the grade 5 bolts that pass through the frame rails with grade 8 bolts.

IMG_1018.jpg
IMG_1017.jpg


3. The rearmost bolts pass through the frame rails, utilizing the existing sway bar mount holes. There are nuts welded inside the frame rails. I removed my sway bar previously, but if you still have your sway bar, remove the bolts these bolts.

IMG_1015.jpg


4. Now if you’re doing this yourself, as I did, balance the hitch on a jack, and raise it into position.

IMG_1019.jpg


5. It is easiest to start the rear bolts, just to align it, as the nuts are already there in the frame rail. This is where those washers come into play…the hitch is designed to be place over the sway bar mounts, but if you no longer have your sway bar (like me) just place 2 – 0.5” washers in between the hitch and the frame to make up for the difference. *Note – the washers aren’t in place yet in the picture.

IMG_1020.jpg


6. Next pass the bolts ( I used grade 8 instead) from the inside, towards the side of the truck. I used a washer in between the hitch and side of the frame to make sure it fit snug.

IMG_1021.jpg


7. Now pass those “nuts on a stick” up into the frame, and thread the bolt into them. They are the middle holes, just for reference.

IMG_1014.jpg


Below is a picture from the front, you can see the bolt passing from the inside – the hitch – washer – frame – and nut.

IMG_1021.jpg


8. Now tighten everything up, and happy towing…or getting towed :icon_cheers:

IMG_1028.jpg
 
how does your truck handle without the sway bar ?
 
Honestly, I dont really notice it. If you still have them on, Id recommend removing them, that is if youre going to be offroad.

-nate

how does your truck handle without the sway bar ?
 
This is the best option for 97 and older trucks. For 98+ trucks, I suggest having one fabricated for you using a used rear hitch. Hidden Hitch used to make a hitch for 98+'s that put the insert in the hole in the bumper/valence. Only thing available now is what you've installed...under bumper.

Cut up a rear hitch, use angle iron(3.5x3.5 or so), weld hitch to iron, drill your holes, mount your bolts, done.

Just putting it out there.
 
Honestly, I dont really notice it. If you still have them on, Id recommend removing them, that is if youre going to be offroad.

-nate

My other truck i had ,i took off the front sway bars and also drove with them on but didn't notice any difference in the handling what so ever and i drove this truck like i stole it on-road and off-road....
 
good idea a bought me too... a push trailer foward easier in the garage at home not the back engage trailer
 
will this work with having the factory fog light valance with a 3" body lift
 
will this work with having the factory fog light valance with a 3" body lift

It will work for a BL, but it will hang down just as the rear hitch hangs down from a BL...
SVT
 
Used. Thanks!
 
Did an install on a truck with a body lift couple weekends ago, here is the pics showing the difference...The owner decided it hangs down too low and wants to sell it, brand new, never used, just mounted. If interested, contact him via PM TRS member Jay'94
Jay94009.jpg

Jay94011.jpg

SVT
 
those hang way to low and they look really retarded with a bl i want one to come out through the bumper.
 

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