OEM Bumper Hitch Mount revisited....

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Just gauging interest, but would anyone here like to have a bolt on pintle style hitch with adjustable height?


Mainly for light towing applications as the OEM bumper isn't really rated for heavy towing....


The square receiver from SOR hangs down a bit too low and a standard pintle has a fixed height, so I'm looking into a simple bolt on option that doesn't hang below the bumper when not in use and also has adjustable height for level towing


Would anyone here be interested in sumthin like this?

 

[CodyRx7]

I'm curious since this is what Im dealing with now. I'm gonna pull the LX450 plastic off the rear to install my pintle there instead of in the low receiver. I have an adjustable 2" receiver bracket for the pintle but at its highest its a little low for the trailer to be level.

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

OK, here's the idea I'm sorta kickin around


I figure I could bolt on a flat 3/8" steel plate to the OEM bumper, weld on a 2.5" tube receiver (or drilled solid stick) upright between the mounting bolts like this (please forgive my crude paint renderings):



View from top of bumper:

View from rear of bumper:

Then use either a saddle style or tube style ball mount to adjust height

This way we won't have anything hanging down when we're not towing (unlike standard hitches) and still be able to adjust for any trailer height when needed (unlike standard pintle ball/hooks)





Whatcha think?

 

[therealratfink]

I like the idea, but wonder the cost by the time you buy the adjusting section?

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

I like the idea, but wonder the cost by the time you buy the adjusting section?

Well, a complete Putnam saddle type mount runs about $75 bucks new...


http://www.amazon.com/Putnam-Hitch-30056-Saddle-Style-Adjustable/dp/B000CP8BS6


Hacking off the rear input for the receiver and welding the adjusting section to a steel plate would be an easy task

I've contacted Putnam about possibly making a prebuilt setup like this, but have yet to get a response...


I figure the whole thing should run about $100 bucks when done (around the cost of a new combo pintle)

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Just found a tube style is even cheaper at just $50 bucks


http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200094274_200094274

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

And here's a saddle style for $30 bucks


http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=95991

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

OK, found a tube style for the same price

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=96286



Although, I think I've gunna give the saddle mount a try

 

[wussyPup]

is this what you mean?

google "pintle mount"

g'luck, -Steve

 

[CodyRx7]

^^^

That looks like what I have right now for my pintle.

If I mount it to the 4 holes in the bumper, it will make it taller than that, and give me more clearance in the rear.

Is the 4x4labs bumper going to put the hitch at about the same height as the 4 bumper holes?

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

is this what you mean?

google "pintle mount"

g'luck, -Steve

Nope


That's made for a standard hitch receiver (I don't have a hitch)

What I plan on doing is using the OEM bumper pintle mount (4-holes) and adding a ball mount that will have adjustable height

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

OK, I went to HF and picked up the saddle style adjustable ball mount hitch...


Here's what you get in the box for $29.99

First thing I did was hack it to pieces...

Then I took a grinder to it to smooth out the rough cuts and picked up a 3/8" steel plate from the local supplier and had it cut to my specs (4.5"x9") for $5 bucks...

I then made a template using a folder and bolted it in place...

After I taped the template onto the steel plate, I drilled the holes and mounted her up for sizing...

The adjustable tubing was longer than I needed, so I hacked a few inches off, set it in place and welded her up...

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Bolted everything up for a final test fit and checked all the different possible positions (some of which I won't ever use).....

Everything checked out fine, so I rounded off some of the sharp edges and black bombed it with flat black Rust Stop from Ace...

It's in the backyard drying right now, so I'll post some final pix after I pickup a new ball tomorrow

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

OK, picked up a ball and bolted her up


Here are a few shots of what it will look like when I'm not towing sumthin...

And some shots with the adjusting ball mount...

Here's a shot of the top...

Which will soon be covered with one of these (I know I have one floating around the shop somewhere)....

 

[Brindleboxer]

Snake,

Looks really good, what are you planning on towing with that setup? Have you considered running another plate on the inside and snadwiching the mount? IMO This may provide more surface area to disperse the torsional stress.

Also, nice welds...I am still a novice at welding and I end up trying alot.

Glen

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Snake,

Looks really good, what are you planning on towing with that setup? Have you considered running another plate on the inside and snadwiching the mount? IMO This may provide more surface area to disperse the torsional stress.

Also, nice welds...I am still a novice at welding and I end up trying alot.

Glen

Nuthin too heavy, just my jetski trailer and possibly a small trailer just big enough for my lifted golf cart


The inside of the bumper/cross member isn't flat and looks sumthin like a tube structure with holes for bolt access, so there's no way to put another plate on the inside unless I cut the tube open...

The top holes have nuts already welded in place...

For the lower holes, I used the biggest washers I could fit, though I doubt it will matter much since I will only be doing light towing

 

[Brindleboxer]

Snake,

Cool, I was asking because I have been thinking (future mod) of placing the mount on the stock bumper and fabbing up something to mount the spare on (also thinking swing away or drop down for rear access) until I finally bite the bullet and do something aftermarket.

My only concern would be the stressed cuased by the weight of the tire when hitting bumps and such.

Glen

 

[98 SNAKE EATER]

Snake,

Cool, I was asking because I have been thinking (future mod) of placing the mount on the stock bumper and fabbing up something to mount the spare on (also thinking swing away or drop down for rear access) until I finally bite the bullet and do something aftermarket.

My only concern would be the stressed cuased by the weight of the tire when hitting bumps and such.

Glen

I plan on doing sumthin similar to this pretty soon:

But I want to mount the spare on the left side and a cooler/keg carrier on the right


I'll get started as soon as I'm finished with the front bumper...

 

[TN_LandCruiser]

You were worried about rear clearance with the spare tire hanging that low?

My tire was tucked up 3-4" higher than that and I still drug it...ended up strapping it inside the rear of the vehicle.
Also, another idea for your receiver hitch would be some armor plating mounted to protect your rear bumper? My tow receiver takes ALOT of abuse, but has prevented damage to my rear bumper.

 

[ktmracer01]

I like the finished product alot more more after i saw pictures. it turned out much better than what I was imagining.

are you planning on making anymore of these?

how much did it cost you to make?