2004 Class III receiver options

[os1kne]

I apologize if this has been asked ad nauseum. I did a search and didn't find an answer.

My wife has a 2004 Explorer with the a 4.0 and the factory class II receiver. I'd like to put class III receiver on it. I don't plan on towing much weight; a bike rack, light trailer, etc. - I mainly want to make her receiver compatible with the stuff that we already have.

I know that I can scour ebay and junkyards to find an OEM class III receiver - and I may do that, but are there any aftermarket hitches (Hidden Hitch, etc.) that will fit the hole in the bumper cover like the OEM unit? I want it to look factory. Thanks.

 

[helmsa]

Sorry to let you down...They don't exist, at least not in the searching that I have done. The closest thing that I have found is one (think it was hidden hitch) was one that covered the OEM with a plate, but mounted below it OEM. I am actually going to do a swap out with an OEM Class III for the same reason that you are looking at.

 

[Essex4x4]

actually they do exist. I went to my local trailer hitch shop and the guy there was willing to do the swap for about $650. I just didn't want to fork out that much cash in order to get the bigger hitch. Basically what he was going to do is remove the bumper cover, cut out the old hitch, weld in the new one, and finally reinstall the bumper cover. He had another explorer there he was doing and trust me when i say it looked stock.

I still have not done it but i did a search here on the forum and found some threads of people who have. I also pulled a thread about what you need if you do install the larger hitch to keep your factory warranty.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213539&highlight=class+III+hitch
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212169&highlight=class+III+hitch
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201770&highlight=class+III+hitch
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206039&highlight=class+III+hitch

 

[helmsa]

actually they do exist. I went to my local trailer hitch shop and the guy there was willing to do the swap for about $650. I just didn't want to fork out that much cash in order to get the bigger hitch. Basically what he was going to do is remove the bumper cover, cut out the old hitch, weld in the new one, and finally reinstall the bumper cover. He had another explorer there he was doing and trust me when i say it looked stock.

I still have not done it but i did a search here on the forum and found some threads of people who have. I also pulled a thread about what you need if you do install the larger hitch to keep your factory warranty.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213539&highlight=class+III+hitch
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=212169&highlight=class+III+hitch
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201770&highlight=class+III+hitch
http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=206039&highlight=class+III+hitch

And you have a 2006 which is a complete different setup then what this person is asking about. As a matter of fact, at least half of the posts that you refered to are talking about hitches that are welded on as opposed to the ones that are bolted on (2004 and older).

SO LIKE I SAID IN MY EARLIER POST, THERE ARE NO "AFTER MARKET" SWAPS THAT INCLUDED A CLASS III FOR THIS PERSON'S VEHICLE (A 2004). THE HITCH IS AN INTEGRATED STRUCTURAL COMPONENT OF THE FRAME AND BUMPER. HE CAN PURCHASE AN OEM FROM JUNK YARD, E-BAY, OR DEALER AND PAY ANYWHERE FROM $50 TO $500+, AND THEN INSTALL IT.

THE OTHER OPTION IS TO BUY ONE THAT ATTACHES UNDERNEATH THE OEM (SUCH AS HIDDEN HITCH), BUT WILL LOWER THE DEPARTURE ANGLE AND MAKE IT HARDER TO CARRY THINGS LIKE CARGO RACKS, BIKE RACKS, SMALL LOW RIDING TRAILERS AND THE LIKE.

 

[1_v8_merc]

Well I have a Reese Class III/4 hitch on my 04 Mountaineer.

It CLAIMED to bolt under the stock hitch, but once we tried multiple times, we realized this wasnt gonna happen without alittle grinding of the stock hitch brackets first.....

So we just unbolted the stock hitch, loosened alot of those plastic screws around the bumper, wheel wells, and taillights, and then just slid the stock hitch right off the frame. Then we put back all the screws...
then we bolted the aftermarket hitch on and thats it!
It took like 2 hours, cause I was completely unfamiliar with this job, and never done it before, and too my time, plus I hadda spent alot of time going around the rear bumper finding all the hidden screws in order to loosen the bumper!!!(bumper doesnt needa come off, just needs to come loose enough for the stock hitch to slide off.)
The job will NEED two people, definately......unless you wanna use jacks or jackstands, but will DEFINATELY be a royal pain.)

heres some pics of mine.

 

[jrford]

i'd go OEM for sure, very sturdy, easy bolt on, You can also look for '02-04(05?) Ex/Mounty Class III. I think in '06 is when its a welded deal.

 

[justchecking]

If you read what 1_v8_merc said, it only took him about 2 hours to do the swap. My experience was less than 1.5 hours. If you get an OEM class III hitch from the junk yard for $200 (or buy a new one for about $300), you save a ton of money and have the factory look.

Alternately, if you can weld (or know someone you trust), you can remove the hitch, cut out the class II, weld in a class III from tractor supply for $15. (I KNOW there is a sticker that says "Do not cut, weld, drill, or modify this hitch", but people build their own trailers and what not, so...)

 

[muzzymaniac]

An alternative for light users...

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_133752_133752

 

[Essex4x4]

i'd go OEM for sure, very sturdy, easy bolt on, You can also look for '02-04(05?) Ex/Mounty Class III. I think in '06 is when its a welded deal.

Yes the 06-08 hitch is welded on. It appears that the 04 is a bolt on, unlike what i had assumed to be the same frame style, oops.

 

[os1kne]

Thanks. I got lucky and was able to find one from a junk yard. For my use, the adapter probably would have done the job - but the 1 1/4" receiver has always been somewhat of an eyesore to me, reminding me that Ford skimped out. I'd be fine with a small receiver on a mini-SUV like the Escape, but the Explorer should have a 2" receiver.

 

[helmsa]

Thanks. I got lucky and was able to find one from a junk yard.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you end up paying for it at the J/Y?

 

[jrford]

I paid $75 for mine. He didn't know he had it his computer said none, he just turned a guy down who called. But i asked to look for some other stuff sure enough one had it.

 

[os1kne]

Mine was $90.

 

[flash041]

I got one for $50 including the wiring harness.But I had to remove it from the wrecked one.They are out there ,keep checking.

 

[justchecking]

Did you also get the 7 pin wiring harness when you got the hitch just in case you need it some time?

 

[flash041]

yes got the 7 pin connector.got rid of the flat 4 harness that was on my truck.But since I use the flat 4 , I got an adapter from 7 to 4 .