1992 Step Bumper Hitch Plate question

[rgjusa]

Hi, I want to attach a bike rack to my 92 Explorer - I do not like the strap on ones and on my Explorer I have a step bumper with a hole in it that one of these things will bolt into:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Reese-Towpower-Interlock-Hitch-Ball-2-5-16/15125818

What I am wondering is if it is possible to bolt one of these to the underneath of the step:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Reese-Towpower-Step-Bumper-Receiver/15125807

That is if the step already there is large enough to accept 4 holes drilled into it.

Or any other ideas? I am in the San Jose area if you have any fitters or recommendations for hitch specialists.

 

[Anime]

The receiver won't bolt on very easily, since the stock hitch plate has bends on the front and back for rigidity. You can cut things to make it work, but then you're compromising the strength of the hitch plate and it likely won't be safe to tow with again.

I'd say your best course of action would be to find a cheap Class II/III hitch. You can get them dirt cheap at salvage yards, and ones from 91-01 Explorers should all work, but one from another 91-94 will of course be the easiest.

Otherwise, if you have a welder, you could just weld a receiver tube to the bottom of a cut hitch plate.

 

[$$exploder$$]

Ya that will work. I got one I just drilled four holes and uses grade 8 bolts to bolt it on. I've hauled trailers with heavy loads all the time never had any problems.

 

[rgjusa]

Just an update: I bought the plate and bolted it on to the step. No problems apart from a crappy drill bit and a cramped working space. I think next time I would take it to a workshop where they could put the Explorer on a ramp, that had a better drill and drill bit, and have them drill the 4 holes as due to the shape of the bumper I had to drill it from underneath.

Thanks for the advice.