Front Hitch install

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:45 pm

I've come to the conclusion that either I have no idea how to use the "Search" feature or it just doesn't work! I typed in "Front Hitch Install and I got results for skid plates...WTF? Anyway, my questions are (and I'm sure this has been covered ad nauseum; my apologies :oops:

): is there a special receiver for the front of a Liberty or do I have to modify one made for the rear? How much is the front receiver, and how difficult is it to mount without air tools? Thanks for any info!

Dje Ryu · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:51 pm

Check boulderbars.com. They have both of the Hidden Hitches listed on their website.

80351 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:34 pm

SavageUrge wrote:

I've come to the conclusion that either I have no idea how to use the "Search" feature or it just doesn't work! I typed in "Front Hitch Install and I got results for skid plates...WTF? Anyway, my questions are (and I'm sure this has been covered ad nauseum; my apologies :oops:

): is there a special receiver for the front of a Liberty or do I have to modify one made for the rear? How much is the front receiver, and how difficult is it to mount without air tools? Thanks for any info!

Hey that's where my wife just came from.
Rochester that is. Her Mom lives in Ogden.

You can call any RV or trailer dealer.
Reese makes them and so does Hidden Hitch.
I can look it up for you at work tomorrow and get you part #'s
and my cost to give you an idea I work at an RV dealer but I'm in Baltimore.
Dave

meh_kick · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:11 am

I thought they were discontinuing production on the front hitch. Anyway, the part number from my Hidden Hitch is 5024, though I think the was re-numbered to 5028 after the companies (Hidden Hitch and DrawTite???) merged.

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:41 am

The one pieceReese and Drawtite front hitches were discontinued as a part of the cost cutting post merge of Draw-tite (Reese) and Hidden Hitch. You'll have to get one of the Hidden Hitch 2 piece "universal" fits or buy one off of a member here who installs a Rock Lizzard or a similar bumper with an integrated hitch receiver.

callaway · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:36 am

Dje Ryu wrote:

Check boulderbars.com. They have both of the Hidden Hitches listed on their website.

I first checked into the front hitch on the boulder bars site - its out of stock and its unknown when more are coming in (the webpage hasnt been updated yet I guess =/ )

Hunting around on amazon I found a milemarker front hitch for something like $250 + shipping. This was way more than I wanted to spend so I checked aroung on google...

I found a place called 'Red Trailer Outlet' and just ordered a Reese front hitch from these guys RedTrailer Outlet for $125 SHIPPED UPS 2day air. It cant get much better than that. :lol:

SavageUrge wrote:

how difficult is it to mount without air tools? Thanks for any info!

It came with nice instructions (better than some of the mopar inst. sheets I've seen) and full hardware (it even came with the plastic rivets for the bumper). Aside from removing the bumper/grill and the front clips on the fenders four 1/2" holes need to be drilled for the bolts. No air tools are required

There's only 4 left so let the race begin!

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:14 pm

Sweet deal callaway. I like the fact that the Reese has the tow points built in. The Hidden Hitch does not. That's a nice looking receiver, thanks for the heads-up! By the by, I didn't know that Hidden Hitch and Draw-Tite merged...when did that happen? Thanks everybody for the info - very helpful stuff!

Jeger · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:19 pm

They only have 3 left now

warholamo · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:38 pm

Jeger wrote:

They only have 3 left now

Try 2. Thanks for the link.

callaway · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 1:55 pm

warholamo wrote:

Jeger wrote:

They only have 3 left now

Try 2. Thanks for the link.

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 2:01 pm

SavageUrge wrote:

Sweet deal callaway. I like the fact that the Reese has the tow points built in. The Hidden Hitch does not. That's a nice looking receiver, thanks for the heads-up! By the by, I didn't know that Hidden Hitch and Draw-Tite merged...when did that happen? Thanks everybody for the info - very helpful stuff!

Evidently Resse and Drawtite merged a while ago and then recently merged with Hidden. It actually is not so much a merger but a parent holding company Cequent which is actually owned by Trimas which owns them all. I believe the Reese and Draw-tite owned by the same company took place in 2001 and then they picked up Hidden Hitch in 2003 (not claiming 100% accuracy but approximately correct).

AndySRT · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:15 pm

make that 1 left. thanks callaway. atleast i hope i got it. it now shows none left now after I ordered.

spoonplugger1 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:41 pm

If they're built like the others, and they look like they are, welding some 3/4 inch strap right on the ends will give you your recovery points and they center right up with the detents in the plastic bumper for the factory jobs. Like the loops on the ends, mine didn't have any.

SavageUrge · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 1:07 am

WOW, you guys snapped those up so quick, I didn't even get a chance to buy one - thanks alot you guys :cry:

and I'm the one who started this thread! I hope they get some more in, cuz that's a nice looking receiver. It's a lot better than that draw-tite 2-piece one! You probably should have PM'ed me that link callaway so I would of of at least had a fair shot at one, haha! Good grab, guys! Reminds me of Hungry-Hungry Hippos as fast as they went!

Edit: Ok, guys you can stop PM'ing me with apologies, lol. I'm just busting your chops because they all went so fast. I could have bought one, but I just hadn't cleared the purchase with my wife at that point, so that's why I missed out. I'm not really upset, but I do appreciate those who PM'ed me (you know who you are) to express their concern. Once again, that' why I love this board. These guys don't know me from Adam, but yet they care enough about their fellow board members to actually apologize and help me out with alternate links! Kudos to all of you! Huzzah! :lol:

CaKJFreedom · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:16 pm

I put my two piece Hidden Hitch on my 03 without taking the bumper off. It just took forever to turn the bolts with a regular wrench. I should have bought a ratcheting one just for the job. Skinny arms help.

AndySRT · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 8:53 pm

wow the guy e-mailed me wondering if i actually ordered because they sold all 6 they had yesterday. :lol:

callaway · **Posted:** Fri Apr 13, 2007 9:31 pm

AndySRT wrote:

wow the guy e-mailed me wondering if i actually ordered because they sold all 6 they had yesterday. :lol:

I wonder how long those were sitting in inventory...

AndySRT · **Posted:** Mon Apr 16, 2007 12:43 pm

just got mine today.

altho it does say only up to 9000lbs winch line pull.

Sport · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2007 4:22 pm

I called them and even though they don't have they are still accepting orders, get them from a distributor.

I ordered one today.

Jeger · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2007 6:29 pm

Just got mine today as well, has a few chips in the paint etc, but isnt damaged so Im happy. I've got a lot of stuff to install and no time to do it. Was going to do the RL diff cover tonight, but the jeep is gone for the evening :cry:

And I have to mow the grass

Front Hitch install

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