Reciever hitch with 3" Body Lift

[9GUY9]

Any one have, or know of a reciever hitch that mounts higher on a ex with a BL? I don't want the hitch to be hanging down 3" below the bottom of the bumper.

 

[chad551]

I cut a 2.5" section out of my hitch and welded it back together. It looks just like it did before the body lift. And the 3rd bolt is also installed..

Chad

 

[beenwrong2002]

I cut a 2.5" section out of my hitch and welded it back together. It looks just like it did before the body lift. And the 3rd bolt is also installed..

Chad

nice weld :

 

[mcpherson]

Chad,

Do you happen to know who makes the hitch you have?

 

[chad551]

It is a U-Haul hitch. Funny thing U-Haul sells you a hitch but will not rent a trailer to use with an Explorer.

 

[beenwrong2002]

It is a U-Haul hitch. Funny thing U-Haul sells you a hitch but will not rent a trailer to use with an Explorer.

ah i totally forgot about that...weird

 

[brianjwilson]

Thanks for posting those pictures, Chad. I needed to see how the brackets mounted up to make sure they could easily be shortened.
I just went and picked this hitch up from uhaul

 

[9GUY9]

Thanks for posting those pictures, Chad. I needed to see how the brackets mounted up to make sure they could easily be shortened.
I just went and picked this hitch up from uhaul

how much was the hitch?

 

[MountaineerGreen]

Nice work Chad!

 

[brianjwilson]

how much was the hitch?

$119

 

[chad551]

Just a reminder that I installed a 3" body lift, and only cut out 2.5". Had I cut 3" it would not have fit:scratch:

So make sure you give yourself some room, though it may be different with an Explorer.

Chad

 

[brianjwilson]

Just a reminder that I installed a 3" body lift, and only cut out 2.5". Had I cut 3" it would not have fit:scratch:

So make sure you give yourself some room, though it may be different with an Explorer.

Chad

Thanks for the heads up. I figured if I cut 3", the round tube would probably hit the frame. Haven't measured it but I assumed that from 'eyeballing' it.

 

[brianjwilson]

Dropped the hitch off at a guys shop today. He didn't want to cut and re-weld it. He figured it would be better (stronger) to cut it short and re-drill the holes. I think he'll only shorten about 2" from it because of the way he is planning on doing it, but it's better than nothing. We'll see how it turns out.
Good news is he also said he'll take a used receiver and make brackets for the front. I'm going to find a hitch the the receiver mounted on bottom, and flip it upside down so the receiver sticks out through the hole in the front bumper

 

[chad551]

I was going to do the same, but when I lowered the holes they would no longer line up.
The sides taper down as you get closer to the main tube, and the 3rd hole would not fit. So I cut and welded. I figured since the ST is only rated to tow about 5k lbs the weld would be more than sufficient.

Chad

 

[brianjwilson]

I was going to do the same, but when I lowered the holes they would no longer line up.
The sides taper down as you get closer to the main tube, and the 3rd hole would not fit. So I cut and welded. I figured since the ST is only rated to tow about 5k lbs the weld would be more than sufficient.

Chad

I'm sure it is sufficient that way too
I got the hitch on last night, looks pretty good. He did just cut it an re-drill the holes, but only cut about 2" off. Still much better than it would have been, and hardly noticeable. He cut it, drilled, smoothed it out, and painted over it for $50.
Best part is that I found a metal fabricator close by that will do about anything. He has a monster truck that he built sitting in his front yard, lol.