Replacing or upgrading the hitch

[johnboy72]

Ok, been away from this site for a long time but it's time to start working on this old turd. Have a 2004 Mountaineer lxy edition. It has the V8 with AWD. Thing is paid off for and besides chewing up the front wheel bearings, can't seem to find a reason to get rid of it. I'm planning on racing karts with my daughter this year and plan on picking up a 6x12 enclosed trailer. Now I will not be towing long distances (two tracks less than 20 miles away) but I'm not confident when I look at this little bitty receiver hitch. Now I haven't crawled under to see how it's attached factory (probably to do with never remembering and the fact that we are getting 7-12" of snow tonight). I'm sure it's been covered on here but all I'm seeing is search results not getting to the bottom of what I'm trying to find out. How difficult is it to remove the factory receiver and replace with a bigger receiver?

 

[gtyates]

It is easy. I found one off a wrecked truck at a junk yard. I had them even install it, but basically it is held on by 3 bolts on each side. If you do this yourself you have to remove the rear bumper cover to make the job easier. There is a write-up on here somewhere that tells you how to do it. I paid them $125 to remove my old one, install the "new" one and also install the 7 pin light plug. The price included the hitch btw. Took less than an hour for them using air tools to make the bolt removal easier. If you do it yourself it will take 2 people to help pull the old hitch of and slide in the replacement. We are fortunate because beginning in 2006 the hitches are welded in place.

 

[turborich]

Exactly what gtyates said! This is the cleanest option and you will have a 7 way tow outlet with a charge line and brake controller line.

 

[gtyates]

This thread will help you with install: http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213539&highlight=class+3+hitch

 

[Explorer0204]

I did it recently. Bought one at a junkyard out of a mountaneer for 50 bucks. 7 pin plugs right in no fuss. You will need 4 more bolts though because the little hitch is only attached by two.

I personally installed it myself but I'm 18 and 215 6'0" and fairly strong so I guess that could be part of why I was able to do it? I dunno I thought it was a really easy install. The bumper cover isn't hard to take off either. Any questions feel free to PM me.

The two inch is ALOT more beefy and heavy duty..as one would expect.

It's quite a bit heavier in person too.

The two holes on the edge are what you will need bolts for
here is a link to what I bought..they are harder than hell to find! chepest I could find them for was here
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B006HYFXVE/ref=oh_details_o04_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Plug for the trailer wiring is the top one I think..Just unplug the old one and put the new one in..easy peasy.

 

[johnboy72]

Thanks for the info. Just had the truck on the lift today and the hitch is the least of my worries. What I assumed was bad wheel bearings was a loose and sloppy front driveshaft. So after fixing this, I'll be on the lookout to get this done!!