More class II to class III swap questions

Still trying to get some answers on cutting out the class II standard hitch on a 07 explorer and putting in the class III/IV.

I just talked to a welder who said what he has done in the past is just cut out the 1.25 inch reciever and welded in a bigger 2 inch one rather than cutting the whole hitch out and putting in the new one.

Would this up the towing capacity or do you need to get a bigger crossbar in there too.

I am having a helluva time finding someone that will just say "yes bring me a class III hitch from Ford and I will take the Class II off and put your new one in"

 

[jrford]

I don't know about that . . . .i did the swap on an '04 which is a bolt on. The Class III crossbar was much thicker, twice as large.
What about a Body Shop? In thinking about it there has to be some way to do, as what happens if it gets hit but not enough to total it . . ./

 

[conig]

http://www.specialtyhitch.com/index.cfm?event=ViewItems&categoryid=732

think the welder means something like this. the hitch is the bumper and pretty much part of the frame I think it would be ok if the welds were good enough(TIG).