Installing the OEM tow hitch, no threads on bolt holes.

[bt1987]

I am trying to install a Class III tow hitch on my 2014 PIU, and the kit I bought came with a brand new bumper and plastic cut out parts for the bumper. I've had to stop the install because my kit did not include the listed bolts on the instructions. I've been able to find one part number for the two bolts that install directly above the hitch receiver. However, I cannot find a part number for the extra bolt that attaches to the right side of the frame, above the rubber mounting hanger for the right side muffler. I don't have part numbers in the OEM installation instructions for this bumper or anything. The two sizes of bolts are simply listed as "B" and "C"

On top of this, I was watching the Class III install video on YouTube with the rather awful soundtrack and less than helpful camera angles at certain points. This person simply peels off the tape over the bolt holes above the hitch receiver and drives in the new bolts. My vehicle does not have threads on these holes, or the hole in the subframe above the muffler hanger. Are these holes not threaded on PIUs normally? Between not finding part numbers, one of my muffler hanger bracket bolts not breaking free, and not having threaded holes, I'm about to just source the last few pieces and find a body shop to take this all apart and install it for me. That way they can fit with tapping threads! I don't have any Metric dies.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Can you get to the area above the holes? Any appropriate sized grade 8 bolts will be fine in securing the hitch. No need for it to be metric.

 

[peterk9]

If you are missing kit items, why not go back to the supplier about it? Was the video you watched an installation on a PIU or retail Explorer? It could be there are differences between the two. Was the video the same one as in the first post in this thread? Factory Tow Hitch Kit for Gen 5 Explorer c/w Video

Peter

 

[bt1987]

If you are missing kit items, why not go back to the supplier about it? Was the video you watched an installation on a PIU or retail Explorer? It could be there are differences between the two. Was the video the same one as in the first post in this thread? Factory Tow Hitch Kit for Gen 5 Explorer c/w Video

Peter

YouTube tells me the video up on the other thread is unavailable. There's a video I watched of a civilian Explorer, silver or maybe a pewter color, getting the hitch installed in the guy's backyard. Everything was pretty straightforward until I realized the bolts I needed were not with my kit. On top of that, the holes are all present, but not threaded. Are these hardened, self tapping bolts maybe?

Side note, I have contacted the seller about the missing parts, but given the holiday weekend, I'm not expecting a response until Monday.

As an aside, I completely screwed up cutting my bumper to mount the tow package panels, so I'll be ordering a replacement lower bumper (with the tow cut out already present) and giving all the parts to a friend who works at a full service garage to install! He'll give me a decent rate vs going to Ford and having them order everything!

 

[peterk9]

Sorry about the video. I didn't check it before posting but had viewed it several times in the past.

Peter

 

[bt1987]

Sorry about the video. I didn't check it before posting but had viewed it several times in the past.

Peter

No worries. The one I watched is rather popular. It has a rather bawdy techno soundtrack which is rather annoying, but most of the footage was good. That's why I decided on the OEM route to begin with because of how relatively easy it looked to be. And the setup was pretty straightforward. The hitch I bought even came with installation instructions, but no bag of bolts! I don't mind buying bolts, but it's impossible to figure out part numbers or sizes with the hodge podge of OEM dealers out there!

 

[Mbrooks420]

They will be threaded bolts and not self tapping.

 

[KayGee]

The aftermarket Curt hitch can usually be found for a little over $100 and takes about a half hour to install. Doesn't get much easier than that. Curt also makes a plug and play harness for about $30-40.

 

[bt1987]

The aftermarket Curt hitch can usually be found for a little over $100 and takes about a half hour to install. Doesn't get much easier than that. Curt also makes a plug and play harness for about $30-40.

Did not, and do not want and aftermarket hitch. Thanks though.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Is there anything specific you are planning to tow?

 

[bt1987]

Is there anything specific you are planning to tow?

Not currently. But I want the ability. I have the Class III hitch, the wiring harness with rear park sensors, 4 pin, and 7 pin plugs, and I have the hitch bumper cover. I just need the bolts and now a new lower bumper cover since I cut the current one wrong. I cannot see visible threads in any of the bolt holes, unless they are way inside the holes. Otherwise I will just have to get someone with taps.

I much prefer OEM and factory appearance so I did not want to go the Curt/other brands with the below bumper hitch.

I also plan to test if tow/haul mode works on the PIU. Just need to run a jumper from the BCM to the output of the Low Gear switch to test before I install the Tow button.

 

[VCFP153]

Not currently. But I want the ability. I have the Class III hitch, the wiring harness with rear park sensors, 4 pin, and 7 pin plugs, and I have the hitch bumper cover. I just need the bolts and now a new lower bumper cover since I cut the current one wrong. I cannot see visible threads in any of the bolt holes, unless they are way inside the holes. Otherwise I will just have to get someone with taps.

I much prefer OEM and factory appearance so I did not want to go the Curt/other brands with the below bumper hitch.

I also plan to test if tow/haul mode works on the PIU. Just need to run a jumper from the BCM to the output of the Low Gear switch to test before I install the Tow button.

Seems like a lot of effort for something you might never do.

 

[Mbrooks420]

FWIW I think the tow rating on most PIUs is around 2,500 pounds.

 

[peterk9]

FWIW I think the tow rating on most PIUs is around 2,500 pounds.

That was confirmed in another thread.

Peter

 

[bt1987]

Seems like a lot of effort for something you might never do.

I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I'm not coming on here telling others what they should and should not do to their PIU's. I want my vehicle to have certain capacities. That's all.

 

[VCFP153]

I don't mean to sound arrogant, but I'm not coming on here telling others what they should and should not do to their PIU's. I want my vehicle to have certain capacities. That's all.

Duly noted.

 

[KayGee]

I much prefer OEM and factory appearance so I did not want to go the Curt/other brands with the below bumper hitch.

I dont believe there is an oem or factory hitch for the piu. All of the pius I've seen have a below bumper aftermarket hitch installed.

Are you converting the entire vehicle to the retail look or just the rear bumper?

 

[bt1987]

I dont believe there is an oem or factory hitch for the piu. All of the pius I've seen have a below bumper aftermarket hitch installed.

Are you converting the entire vehicle to the retail look or just the rear bumper?

At work we have a 2015 PIU with street appearance package (shifter-less console), and it has an OEM Class III hitch. The existence of this vehicle proves what I want to do can be done. I just don't know if the bolt holes are threaded deep within the body and I can't see it? Or if the bolts thread a collar of softer metal when inserted? Or if I need to get the body tapped out before installation? Instead I'm just being told to by a Curt hitch.

This is a 2015 Police Interceptor Utility, with OEM Class III hitch. I can provide the VIN if someone is positive they can decode it.

 

[Mbrooks420]

Easy. I’m sure what you want is possible. Stick a long flat head up into the hole until it bottoms out. If there are threads, you’ll feel them.

If not, measure the hole with a set of calipers. Drill the hole tonthe next appropriate threaded size in SAE, and tap and install grade 8 hardware. Easy peasy.

 

[Mbrooks420]

I very much doubt they are self tapping. I can’t image a company saying self tapping hardware was suitable for a towing installation, even if you are limited to 2,500 pounds and 250 pounds of tongue weight.