Front Hitch

[Tom Wilk]

Well, the front hitch is installed. But, there's one minor problem: I cannot tighten one of the bolts.

Here's the situation. Each side is supported by 3 bolts, two which use the hole that the radiator cover thing was attached to, plus a third that uses the empty hole forward of the other two. The two that used to hold the cover on were already threaded, so there was no problem there. The front hole, however, required using a different technique.

Supplied with the hitch were all the necessary hardware including two flat stock pieces that go inside the frame on the front holes. The nuts for those two bolts (one each side) have a piece of steel wire welded to them so that you can fish the nut into the correct spot to screw the bolt onto it.

Now, the passinger side one tightened up with no problem, but the other one would not tighten. The wire snapped off the nut, and it just spins with the bolt. There's barely enough torque on it to flatten the lockwasher. But, I want it torqued down a little more than that. Does anybody have any ideas as to how I can hold a nut that I cannot get at while I turn the bolt?

I tried wedging a screwdriver against it, but it would not hold. It's in such a position that I can barely get my finger in there to touch it. I'd prefer not drilling any more holes in the frame, unless I have to. But, if that's the only solution, I'll put a slot in there just big enough to get an open end wrench in there to hold the nut.

Any suggestions?

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Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[GJarrett]

Tom, assuming you can still loosen and remove it, can you order another fish nut to try again?

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Gerald
"Nerves of Steel; Brain of Chipmunk"
'99 Eddie Bauer 4x4 4.0L SOHC aka "The Jeepeater"
Dead Link Removed
"What the heck is he doing out here in that thing???"

 

[Tom Wilk]

Gerald, that may be worth a try. I tried two, but they both did the same thing. If I order another, I'll take a file and put some "tread" on the surface of the nut and the flat stock piece that goes inside as well. I don't think that it'll be here in time for Moab, though.

I'm going under the Explorer again today with all kinds of tools, pieces of steel, and any other stuff I can find to try to get a grip on this thing. Hopefully, I'll be able to torque it down somehow.

Maybe I can squirt some superglue in there, let it harden, and then try to tighten it. If it can hold 30-40 ft-lbs, I should be able to tighten it adequately.

------------------
Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[Tom Wilk]

OK, if I order another one, I'll have it welded to the flat stock so it cannot spin freely. That's what hidden hitch should have done in the first place.

------------------
Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[Tom Wilk]

Well, I spent some time with it, and managed to get it a little tighter. I wedged a brake adjuster tool in there to try to stop the nut from spinning. Unfortuantely, I could not get a real tight grip on it, but I got a little more twist before the dang thing let go. I even wore leather gloves, knowing that when it let loose, it would send my knuckles into something sharp.

So its better, but not really good enough. I wonder if someone could get a welding rod in there, at the right spot, of course. Just a little bead between the nut and the flat stock would probably do the trick. Anybody taking an arc welder to Moab?

------------------
Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[Ray Lobato]

You know Tom, I think Rick mentioned that either he or some one that is going will have a welder at Moab. Have you tried dabbing a little JB Weld on the nut and the frame? That would probably hold it better than superglue. Dead Link Removed

------------------
Happy Wheelin'
Ray L.
97 XLT 4X4 4.0L SOHC
Dead Link Removed

 

[Tom Wilk]

Actually, Ray, I haven't tried JB weld, cause I never heard of it. I'll look for the stuff. It shouldn't take much to stop it from turning. They really should have put a star washer on it or welded it to the piece of flat stock that is also in there. Oh well, I'll give it a try. Thanks.

------------------
Tom
99 Sport 4x4
SOHC
Auburn Rear & Gerald's old Shackles
265/75-R16 BFG AT's that weren't supposed to fit

 

[JPA1982]

how has it held up

just curiuos how your front end hitch is holding up, read u had lil prob getting it all on, but finally did, thats good,

are u using it for tow hooks, winch, pull behind another truck?

i've been looking into these and think i'm ready to buy it, want to know if its worth it for off road applications, u have any pics? thanks

here is what i'm looking at
http://www.etrailer.com/productdetail.asp?partno=65002&vehicleid=897&yearfrom=1997&h=e

 

[JPA1982]

?????

 

[jasonb]

talk about reviving an OLD thread! last post was 4 years ago!

but to give tom a quick answer.. i had one of those stupid wires break off on mine too. i just took the front bumper off and stuck a wrench in the frame to hold the nut. took like 10 minutes to get the bumper off the first time. anyway.. i'm sure he figured it out by now.

tom isn't on much anymore so i'll answer your questions for you! i'm assuming we had the same receiver based on his issue. i just sold mine to another member here because i made a winch mount that took its place. the receiver held up great to everything i threw at it. i bought it for the sole use of having an easy to get to front towpoint for offroading. it got plenty of use. i pulled people, i got pulled, i got yanked, and i landed on it a few times on rocks pretty hard. (hope the buyer is ok with all that!! ) it held up to everything. i don't remember what i paid for it, but it was under $100 shipped because i caught a good deal on it with free shipping. i can figure out where it came from if you want. it was a hidden hitch brand. if you get one, it will hold up.

 

[JPA1982]

thanks,glad to hear that, makes me feel lot safer bout ordering one,

another problem i think i just ran into is that i have a safari bar on the front of my truck, now it will have no problem popping out between the openings, however i think the mount points might be the same, if so, then i guess i'm just gonna have to find another alternative to getting tow hooks up front

and, old treads get brought back when the search is used, lol

 

[jasonb]

nothing wrong with bringing old threads back..

the hitch i had mounts only to the bottom of the frame rails. i think those safari bars mount to the side don't they?

 

[JPA1982]

no, it has an "L" shaped bracket, mounts to side and bottom,

ummm, if it would work, could just have them both on there, should be enough length in the bolts, if not can always buy longer grade 8s right? that is if it works, might have to just try it

 

[jasonb]

you could probably get it to work. i would modify the safari bar though... not the hitch stuff.