Hitch interchangeability ? and wiring?

[Atom 8]

I have an 2001 Explorer 5.0 AWD. Will a hitch from any explorer of the same body style fit my 2001? Also, I have been looking for a trailer light wiring harness, all the local stores have wiring harnesses for 199?-2000, then jump to 2002-?. Whats up with that?

 

[GreenMando]

I have an 2001 Explorer 5.0 AWD. Will a hitch from any explorer of the same body style fit my 2001? Also, I have been looking for a trailer light wiring harness, all the local stores have wiring harnesses for 199?-2000, then jump to 2002-?. Whats up with that?

Are you asking about the receiver or the hitch insert bar? Both can be called a hitch.
Receivers are fitted to the frame so they can be year specific. The insert is interchangable with any other car within the type. Explorers came with type 2 receivers, type 3 and even type 4.

The hitch insert bar will fit other auto brands. You will want one that levels out your trailer. They have ones that ride higher and lower. The same hitch insert can be used to lift or lower by turning it 180 degrees, and swapping the ball over.

Type 2 uses a 1 1/4" hitch insert. Type 3 and 4 use 2" hitch inserts. Not to be confused with ball size.

Wiring harnesses plug into existing harness of said vehicle, which can change year to year. Best to buy from the dealer if in question. I am sure everyone would prefer if they sold one that fits all. In the case of "199?-2000, then jump to 2002-?" check a different brand. Sometimes their catalogs don't work as well as we wish.

 

[Atom 8]

I meant the reciever. I has wondering if one off an earlier model will fit. I realize all the holes may not line up exactly, but if I can find one off another explorer at the junk yard and save alot of money then that would be great. I have 4 different 2" ball mount inserts, finding the right one to use is no problem. I have an '01 4-door, just so there is no confusion.

 

[FordLover]

I meant the reciever. I has wondering if one off an earlier model will fit. I realize all the holes may not line up exactly, but if I can find one off another explorer at the junk yard and save alot of money then that would be great. I have 4 different 2" ball mount inserts, finding the right one to use is no problem. I have an '01 4-door, just so there is no confusion.

The rear frame of the explorer didn't change from 95-2001, and probably not from 91-01. The 2002 4-door and up are completely different, don't even think about those. The 2 doors remained the same until they were discontinued in '03?

The old square style hitch may not fit some of the 95-01 explorers because it interfears with the 16" spare tire, which is why the round style became popular and the most common kind you find now-a-days.

 

[Atom 8]

The rear frame of the explorer didn't change from 95-2001, and probably not from 91-01. The 2002 4-door and up are completely different, don't even think about those. The 2 doors remained the same until they were discontinued in '03?

The old square style hitch may not fit some of the 95-01 explorers because it interfears with the 16" spare tire, which is why the round style became popular and the most common kind you find now-a-days.

Thank you, thats what I was wanting to know all along. It's hard to get a strait answer sometimes. I went ahead and bought the trailer wiring harness for a 2000 model, it works fine.