Weld receiver to rear crossmember?

[little_joe]

I need a 2" receiver on my KZJ90, and there are no trailer hitches in the US for it (importing one is way frickin' expensive). I stopped by a fab shop today to talk options, they suggested welding a 2" receiver onto the rear crossmember with gussets on the backside: one vertical, 2 horizontal.

The rear crossmember is slightly thinner gauge than the frame, it's 2 c-channels welded together, and it is welded to the frame.

I have no intention of towing! This is primarily for a 1Up bike rack. I do wonder if it'd collapse the crossmember if I tried a recovery with it, as otherwise I have a single OEM towhook bolted into the frame.

Other options are a 3rd gen 4R hitch (which I have courtesy of the seller), drill new holes to match my frame, then hack up my fuel tank skid plate and wind up with oddball fit. Final option is a Reese bolt-together hitch which I think I could make work.

Thoughts on this? Good/bad idea?

 

[little_joe]

Pictures of the rear

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Welding into the crossmember wouldn't be a recovery point or towing point, pretty much good enough for a bike rack and that's it. I'd be wary of doing that for fear of someone forgetting and trying to use the hitch as a tow point.

Doing a proper hitch that bolts to the bottom of the frame rails would be a dramatically stronger option, assuming the mounting bolts are of sufficient size and grade.

 

[little_joe]

Thanks for confirmation, Johnny. After typing this out and having a beer, the idea of welding to the crossmember became even more unappealing. I'll probably end up going to the junkyard and see if I can't find a hitch that is at least close to the measurements I took for fitting one to the 90.

 

[little_joe]

Whattya think about this? Sticks about 5" from the bumper (is this legal?), and while I don't like it, this would only require me drilling out some holes in the free hitch. Then I could think about a permanent solution for a few years...

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Looks good to me! The stickout is probably welcome given the fact that your spare tire is directly above the hitch.

 

[lastresort576]

looks proper to me.

 

[little_joe]

So much fun drilling that hitch with my battery-powered hand drill. Anyway, that's done, but I need to find some M12x1.25mm graded bolts now, 1st 2 places I checked don't have any...

 

[GLTHFJ60]

Ace Hardware might have them. Get serrated flange head bolts if you can, better than split washers.

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[little_joe]

Ace Hardware might have them. Get serrated flange head bolts if you can, better than split washers.

McMaster-Carr

McMaster-Carr is the complete source for your plant with over 595,000 products. 98% of products ordered ship from stock and deliver same or next day.

www.mcmaster.com

Yeah I've tried the 2 Ace stores near me, no luck. Why are the serrated bolts better than lock washers?

The hitch hardware bag has washers that are textured on one side presumably to bite, while I can't use the bolts I planned to use the washers under a flanged bolt.

 

[fourtrax]

wilders wil have it

Wilders Nuts And Bolts | Raleigh NC

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[GLTHFJ60]

Yeah I've tried the 2 Ace stores near me, no luck. Why are the serrated bolts better than lock washers?

The hitch hardware bag has washers that are textured on one side presumably to bite, while I can't use the bolts I planned to use the washers under a flanged bolt.

Split washers can spread while tightening, or corrode and fall apart. Serrated fasteners have more bite and can't spread.

Split washers are old tech. Serrated lockong fasteners, or mechanical lock nuts, are new(er) tech.

 

[little_joe]

wilders wil have it

Wilders Nuts And Bolts | Raleigh NC

Wilders Nuts And Bolts, Raleigh. 37 likes · 1 talking about this · 3 were here. Distributor of threaded products, drill bits, taps and dies and much more

www.facebook.com

Wilder's had what I needed, thanks again for the suggestions Eric! However they did not have flanged/serrated bolts, so I will definitely use the washers that came with the hitch.