Hitch not centered...

[jhlankford]

I installed a hitch (receiver) on my 2000 yesterday. It took much longer than I thought it would because I couldn't get it dead center. It is about 1/2 inch off to the left (driver side), and is pretty noticable with the ball plug out (and missing) of the bumper. The old ball hole in the bumper really shows off the fact that it isn't centered.
My questions are... How in the world can I center it, does it make a difference anyway, and who has a grey center plug they want to get rid of??
Thanks for your input in advance.
Jarvis

 

[Yomie]

I installed a hitch (receiver) on my 2000 yesterday. It took much longer than I thought it would because I couldn't get it dead center. It is about 1/2 inch off to the left (driver side), and is pretty noticable with the ball plug out (and missing) of the bumper. The old ball hole in the bumper really shows off the fact that it isn't centered.
My questions are... How in the world can I center it, does it make a difference anyway, and who has a grey center plug they want to get rid of??
Thanks for your input in advance.
Jarvis

Hey where are you at in MS?

About it not being centered thats odd, i really don't know what to tell ya. What brand is it?

 

[cdsl227]

I installed a hitch (receiver) on my 2000 yesterday. It took much longer than I thought it would because I couldn't get it dead center. It is about 1/2 inch off to the left (driver side), and is pretty noticable with the ball plug out (and missing) of the bumper. The old ball hole in the bumper really shows off the fact that it isn't centered.
My questions are... How in the world can I center it, does it make a difference anyway, and who has a grey center plug they want to get rid of??
Thanks for your input in advance.
Jarvis

What're you talking about the plug that goes into the factory bumper?

It kinda fits in the plastic step insert or whatever???

I got one! Hell I got the whole damn bumper off my 01'. I was going to toss it in the garbage soon.

I got all the old crap built up in my backyard from building the axle over the winter, old knuckles, rotors, bumper...

I could mail you the plug if you want it...I tried to give the bumper to anyone that wanted it, but no takers...

 

[jhlankford]

I'll take that plug!!
My email is jlank4d@yahoo.com. Send me an email and I'll return my address and send you a little somethin for postage!
Thanks,
Jarvis

 

[cdsl227]

I'll take that plug!!
My email is jlank4d@yahoo.com. Send me an email and I'll return my address and send you a little somethin for postage!
Thanks,
Jarvis

I sent you an email...don't sweat the postage.

 

[jimbo74]

if everything is bolted down properly there shouldnt be any safety issues... however, it does strike as odd that it isnt centered... might be a manufacturing defect? or a misplaced part... and that isnt good.. i would try and pinpoint the problem first...

 

[Commtech]

Did you measure it from both side braces to see if the receiver is not centered? If that is the case then contact the manufature of the Hitch. See if they are aware that it is not centered.
If the hitch is centered but the bumper is not ---> contact a good body shop, as well as who you bought the car from!

 

[jimbo74]

didnt even think of that... the bumper has adjustments made for it.... if its off there, then it will make the hitch look uncentered... check that out....

 

[the_tool_man]

Hi jhlankford:

My hitch is off by about 1/2" too. There is a slight twist in my rear bumper, so I just assumed that it was the bumper. The twist is so subtle that I didn't even notice it when I was buying it. I'll have to take some measurements. If your hitch is really off center, it shouldn't make any difference for towing, as long as it isn't loose.

Hey cdsl227, if you still want to give away your bumper, I might be interested. Might be cheaper than getting mine straightened. Send pics to john_manly@infoave.net

If anybody else has the little bumper plug that covers the ball mounting hole, I could use one of those, too. Thanks!

Regards,
John.

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

I have seen some install there hitches with an offset from the center. The reason behind it was to see the trailor better. I could see of no possible damage that could become of this, so I wouldn't worry unless it just bothers the heck out of ya. Did you think about taking it to a hitch installation place and see if they would center it for ya for a little of nothing?

By the way, if you guys are wanting those plugs, they throw them away at the hitch installation places. I would drop by one of them and request them to save you one, maybe buy them a coke or something for there troubles. Just an idea.

 

[jjm0001]

I'll bet your bumper is off center rather than the hitch being off. Another fine example of Ford Quality control. No big deal, the bumper can be centered pretty easy.

 

[jhlankford]

Well, I adjusted the bumper to match the hitch. The bumper was actually pretty well centered. Now, it's kinda off to the left just a bit, but it's kinda hard to see. Trying not to be too **** about this, but you know how it is when something that should be this way, comes out that way. Thanks for the feedback.
Oh yeah. One more thing... I noticed that inside the bumper (under), there is a little sticker, kinda like the size of a sticky price tag on groceries, that says "American Bumper". This makes me think "has this truck be hit from behind and the bumper replaced?"
INPUT - INPUT - INPUT!!!
Thanks,
Jarvis

 

[cdsl227]

Hey cdsl227, if you still want to give away your bumper, I might be interested. Might be cheaper than getting mine straightened. Send pics to john_manly@infoave.net

I'll try and get some pics tomorrow...the bumpers perfectly straight, I took it off to put on a custom bumper I made, that way the front and rear would match, but yeah you're gonna need the plug- I'm shipping that out tomorrow.

 

[cdsl227]

Sent the plug out today...you should get it in a couple of days.

Didn't get to take pics of the bumper, but I'll get them tomorrow.

 

[jhlankford]

Thanks for the plug cdsl227. It was here when I got home last night. Looks perfect. Thank you, again.
JHLankford

Sent the plug out today...you should get it in a couple of days.

Didn't get to take pics of the bumper, but I'll get them tomorrow.