Bus hitch a bit too short

[zetasig]

Well I measured the hitch off of the bone yard bus. Must have had my Polish tape measure out.

I am about 1 and 1/4 inches too short on both sides of the frame. This hitch does fit inside the frame rails real nice but I need some suggestions.

What do you guys think about a 1 inch piece of steel sandwitched between the frame and the side of the hitch.

I would be looking at a 4 inch bolt. 4 holes on each side. Grade 8 1/2 inche diameter.

The hitch I got is a Resse brand. Pretty much new. it is meant to be installed on the underside of the frame rail. there are 3 holes on each side facing up. So you would drill into the bottom of the frame rail and bolt it in that way.

Because of my frame dimensions I can slip the whole hitch inside the two frame rails but I am about 1/2 inche to short on either side to use the exising holes in the hitch.

Thus I want to drill the sides out and keep the hitch bolted to the inside of the frame itself. not bolted to the bottom.

I have some photos but I dont know if they do any good.

Basically if its kosher, I would need two plates of 1 inche or 1and 1/4 inch steel.

Say 4 or 5 inches wide by 10 inches long. (rectangle) with 4 1/2 inch holes drilled in or burned in....

whaddaya think.

 

[Tripower389]

Warren,

Which of the following are you proposing ? I am not sure i understand from your discription is it either of these pictures ?

- jason

 

[zebrabeefj40]

I'm guessing the last picture.

Warren, we got TONS of that size material and the machines to do what you need where I work. If you can get me hole locations I can get you the steel plates and drill'em too. Another option is to drill and tap the holes instead of through bolting. 1" is thicker than the nut for that size bolt and will therefore have plenty of clamping strength.

Let me know what you wanna do. I can look into the price of the material for you tomorrow (probably be pretty cheap as they buy steel by the truckload).

Nick

 

[zetasig]

its like drawing A or the middle drawing.

There is enough of a lip on the lower portion of the frame to hold the hitch as it is. its just a bit too short to use the existing holes

As it stands I will only need to cut a small upside down U in the rear bumper to clear the hitch.

My main concerns are with safety. With the A set up. If the guys in the know think it will be okay than I will go with it. Basically I will be using 8 bolts instead of 6.

I will get some measurements and hole locations. and load up the photos I have. asap.

Thanks guys.

 

[Poser]

So Tripower...what is the deal here?


Why did this thread get reported?

 

[Tripower389]

Reported ?

I have no idea.

 

[Tripower389]

Anyway what i was saying it its your call warren. If it was like Picture A i dont see a problem but im no expert.

- Jason

 

[zetasig]

Unknown why something was reported???? anyway

Here some photos. I did not get the tape measure back out too dark, but I think its closer to inch and 3/4 on both sides. not the original one inch.

The photos came out decent to see what i am talking about here.


First photo is of the passenger side, you can see 2 of the 3 OEM top mount bolts and at the bottom of the hitch you can see how the whole receiver sits inside the frame rails.

Second photo is of the driver side.

Third is what I need to notch out of the rear bumper. should look pretty good. Just a bit lower than the OEM 4 runner hitch I have.

So basically the somewhat triangle section of the hitch would have (4) 1/2 inch holes drilled through it passing through some plate steel. and then through the frame. 8 bolts in total. The plate steel I guess is just "filler" to take up the space between the hitch and the frame. after it is bolted in I will take it to a weld shop and have them hit it a few more times....

I should have plenty of bumper left to mount the 7 round connector.

 

[zetasig]

More of the inside and what I have done so far.

 

[zetasig]

More yet. Kenwood CD player, bummed as it does not play MP3s. so no theme song from Shaft.

Fixed the filler neck so no more leaks at the pump.

Replaced the dash that was busted. replaced the front grill

got all the lights working, and the interior rope lights.

Scraped the rest of the scale off of the frame and underside. at least 10 pounds....

Gotta undercoat everything after the hitch is installed.

 

[zetasig]

Well see if this works, The plate needs to be inch and 3/4... 4 holes drilled in it. 1/2 inch each. Need two of them.

Since no one has shouted out that I would die bolting this to the frame I will move forward.