Front reciever

[jp450]

Hello, I am new to the forum. I have recently purchased an 05 and was wondering if anyone here has a front 2" reciever on their Ex. I had one on my 99 and would like to get one for the new one. However it looks like there is alot of stuff under the front end. If someone has one does it ride low? I put a cooler rack on the front of the Ex for keeping bait when I go fishing. Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

[seadawg]

Hey Jeff I just ordered one for my 03 xlt from cheaphitches.com Drawtite part # 65032 custom fit @ 137.93 I also mount a cooler rod holder. I also ordered a receiver tube skid shield for about 19.00
Tim

 

[jp450]

Let me know how it turns out... To me, it looks as if the cooler will be very low. I am concerned that I may bottom out when going down hills while accessing the beach...

How are they biteing down there? Slow here... Damn birds... Damn seals...

 

[seadawg]

I will. it will arrive tomorrow but I will be in DC so i won't install until Monday night. I'll post a pic or 2. It is supposed to be high clearance. i bought a universal hitch it was way low. we'll see. Its hot as hell no surf no fish. Fall is coming so both should pick up.

 

[suzukisam]

Looking forward to some pics on this as I am loong at installing one on my 03EB.

 

[seadawg]

Hey guys sorry for the delay. Looks like to me its good clearance. Front tip of receiver is 11.5 inches, the cross member on x is 10.5 inches. I had to remove my tow hooks but I will make modifications to replace them and will make two small cuts in bottom air deflector flair thing to replace that. took about 20 mins to install. With the rack I have there's plenty of clearance, had it on the beach Wed. no fish, nice ride though. Oh one thing I used my own mounting bolts theirs was difficult

 

[jp450]

Looks good. Nice setup... I will have to get one now. Thanks for the advice.
Will post results when I get it installed.

No fish here eather... Lots of sharks eating seals though... I love it...

Jeff

 

[misconceived]

I thought about doing the front receiver but after seeing the front shot, I think it looks to low. IMO

JP what 's up with Baby Jaws lately? Seals keep turning into dinner around here.

 

[seadawg]

I quess it depends if u need one or not. Mine is still 1 inch higher than the front cross member. its a custom fit drawtite, so unless somebody makes u one thats the best ull find.

 

[jp450]

JP what 's up with Baby Jaws lately? Seals keep turning into dinner around here.

I don't know and to be honest I love it... There have been too many seals around here for a few years now. I can't tell you how many times I have had to tug-o-war a striper with a seal only to get it in and have a huge bite taken out of it...

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Granted, mine is completely different than a 3rd gen, but I built my own reciever for the front- it peeks through the opening in the bumper, so it doesn't hurt my approach angle.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169514

 

[suzukisam]

Thanks for posting some pics. Looks good to me. It is lower than I thought but I want to mount a bike rack on mine so a little lower is better I think. My only concern is if the rack and bikes will stick up to high past the hood and into my line of vision.

 

[jp450]

I went with the Curt reciever. I was able to get it local and it cost about $130 taxes included. Installed in about 45 min. There is one problem... I can't see the cooler and rack while driving.... The darn thing sits too low. I have some pics and will post when I get them out of the camera. It is nice having the cooler back.....

 

[misconceived]

Get some bumper guides for a plow truck and mount them to front of your rack. Can't be too hard.

 

[Thelt]

That is pretty sweet. I would not mind having something like that for trips to Cape Hatteras. It is an eight hour drive for me though, I wonder if that thing would hurt the radiator's ability to cool the engine? Looks like it does not block too much of the grill though.

 

[seadawg]

Thanks, I love it. I put the plastic bottom flair back on and it looks a lot better. The hitch assembly is now hidden with only the 2 inch receiver showing. I got my rack from the local Bass Pro. Online it's at fishingcarts.com. Ive seen guys with bumper guides or similar type things. not to bad and I'm sure they help. I can see mine pretty good, the rack any way, now the tackle box/bait board I cant see at all, it sticks way out there. It sure draws some looks on the way to and at the beach. I dont think that it restricts air at all, see the cooler comes just a little above the grill bottom

 

[jp450]

I wonder if that thing would hurt the radiator's ability to cool the engine? Looks like it does not block too much of the grill though.

On my 99 the rack completely covered my radiator and I never had a problem. On the 05 the cooler is so low that there is plenty of air flow.

Get some bumper guides for a plow truck and mount them to front of your rack. Can't be too hard.

That is what I had in mind. I also was thinking about making a new, longer bracket. However I dont have the equipment to do so easiely.