Front hitch.

[AccordRanger]

Thinking about getting a front hitch with the money I got from Christmas. Explorers have no front recovery points, and I can not add one without cutting up a good amount of my bumper. Plus I was thinking about doing a removable winch in the future. I also like that they are bolt on that way when I finally decide to get a custom bumper made I can throw the hitch on my mom's sport.

They all seem to be about $140-$150 with shipping. Would it be cheaper to buy one or have someone here fab it up?

[Brody]

The actual piece for the receiver is about $18 from pretty much any trailer place, so based on that, I would say that you are probably going to come out a little ahead if you have someone fab it up for you, but maybe not by much. Part of that decision is going to be based on what you want to do to/save/modify your front bumper. Can be done, I am sure. I did a winch install in Medic's Dodge and used his front stock bumper, so I am sure that was a bit harder than dealing with a 2.5x2.5 receiver...

If all you are concerned about is front recovery points, may I ask why you are inclined to go with a front receiver? You would need one for a receiver mount winch, for sure, but from what you described,it seems like you would be better off doing a 'transformer' style winch mount for the front. That particular style doesn't alter the front bumper and can easily be removed and reused on similar style/make/model rigs.

Back to the recovery points....should be easier to simply add a couple of tow points to the front using after market hooks, GM, Dodge, Nissan, Ford junkyard hooks (roughly $10 a pair at a yard).

[Mporter]

If you were looking at receiver tubes, check out Harbor Freight, they make em in 2.5" square and just about any length you need. That's where I got the one for my back bumper and just cut it down to size.

[AccordRanger]

Most front hitches I see on Ex's are like this. It's on a Mounty but the bumper openings are about the same.

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3575/work_047_Small_.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3575/work_051_Small_.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3575/work_060_Small_.jpg

http://www.explorerforum.com/photopost/data/3486/medium/IMG_0127_Medium_.JPG

[Brody]

I would say that if you can get one of those like the pictures show for $140-150, then you should do it, especially if it is one designed to simply bolt onto your rig. Fab would be right at that and maybe a bit more counting install time.

[Mporter]

If you need a receiver, I think I still have my class III (maybe IV) one from when I redid my back bumper. It's just sitting around. It might be too wide, but you can always cut and reweld it, I don't know if that'd kill the structural integrity though.

[AccordRanger]

Do you have any pics of it?

[Mporter]

I'll have to check later. It's a Draw-tite i do believe.

[scout man]

Shayne, not sure if you do any fab or not, but if this one Matt has can be cut down and rewelded and stuff, id be williing to help you out with it. Ive got the tools to do it. Not really interested in building one up from scratch, but this would be no problem most likely.

ah hell, if if doesnt work I might even build one for you. I have done it on my own rig. I would want to see the rig and the intentions first though. It all depends on what I would be up against

[Brody]

Won't kill the integrity if it is done right. I have flipped them around, modified them to fit other rigs and built them from scratch. The Draw Tite is a well made unit and the strength depends on how you mount it to the frame rails. If you have to cut it down to fit, then reuse the factory end plates or make new ones rather than welding the square stock directly to the frame. It ends up being a bit stronger that way.

[Mporter]

I'll try to see where my dad stowed it tomorrow. I'll grab some measurements and all that too.

[Roostercruiser]

thats a really clean look and useful