Can't get trailer hitch to fit over/around skid plate on 04

hscrugby · **Joined:** Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:53 am **Posts:** 11

My buddy has an 04 renegade.
It's got the OE gas tank skid and on the side there are "ridges" or ribs.
We've tried a Draw tite hitch first, (with 6 bolt holes) and it won't fit around the skid plate because of those ridges.
It's just to narrow. (Or the skid is to wide)
We then tried a Reese "multi" hitch thing, with the 4 bolts, and all types of adjustable.
It also won't fit. It can adjust out wide enough, but you can't get it back narrow enough to actually go in all the bolt holes.
(actually now I have a cross threaded and sheered off bolt in the back corner, but that's another issue)

Has anyone else had this issue? Is the KJ's "skid" like the TJs where it also holds the gas tank up? So like taking the skid plate off will be a PITA?
If not, I might just take it off, grind those two ridges in the way off, and then call it a day.
If it is a pita, i'll just try a big hammer I guess?
Anyone else got any better ideas?

Thanks

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:37 pm

you should have 2 straps holding the tank up - seperate from the skid plate mounts.

my trailer hitch is on the Rock Lizard bumper that attaches to the same holes - no alignment problems at all - no ridges
(just have to hold up the skid plate and 110 lb bumper)

tommudd · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 3:41 pm

it should go up around/over with no problems, is the tank skid already on there? If so won't it (the hitch ) just push up over? I have the Kilby which is way heavier built than the OME one and I didnt have any problems??? Never heard of anyone having an issue

hscrugby · **Joined:** Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:53 am **Posts:** 11

tommudd wrote:

it should go up around/over with no problems, is the tank skid already on there? If so won't it (the hitch ) just push up over? I have the Kilby which is way heavier built than the OME one and I didnt have any problems??? Never heard of anyone having an issue

When we tried the first time (about 2 years ago) we had about 2 hours in the morning before he needed to haul with it.
We gave up as we were in a parking lot in NJ.
We tried for real once he got down to NC, and it just wouldn't fit so we assumed it was for the wrong year.
But they are all the same.

Supposedly.

So this past time I tried everything I could think of, including creative use of a transmission jack, (bolts etc to hold it nice and level etc) BFH, sacrificing small children etc.
No luck.
If I can get this stupid thing on, he's going to bring back his dad's old bass boat, (smaller, about 1800 lbs loaded with trailer) and store it at my house so I can use it. :lol:

(price of storage you know?)
So trust me, I was trying everything.
The adjustable one will get wide enough, but because of the ridges the holes are two wide, so you can't get the bolts to go in straight.
(and it's the 4 bolt style which I am not as comfortable with.)

But if there are 2 straps holding it up, that skid's coming off and getting the grinder.
Stupid jeeps and nothing being simple.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:32 pm

The OEM gas tank skid is made to still work with the OEM rear hitch,some of the other rear hitches may work,or may not with the OEM gas tank skid.Get a OEM(MOPAR) rear hitch,it will solve all your problems.The MOPAR rear hitch is only a few $$$ more then those aftermarket ones anyway,and it's a perfect fit.

If your going to cut up the OEM gas tank skid might as well just remove it all together,it will be worthless then.

hscrugby · **Joined:** Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:53 am **Posts:** 11

tjkj2002 wrote:

The OEM gas tank skid is made to still work with the OEM rear hitch,some of the other rear hitches may work,or may not with the OEM gas tank skid.Get a OEM(MOPAR) rear hitch,it will solve all your problems.The MOPAR rear hitch is only a few $$$ more then those aftermarket ones anyway,and it's a perfect fit.

If your going to cut up the OEM gas tank skid might as well just remove it all together,it will be worthless then.

Well, I was just going to notch about 2" in the ridge. I doubt it would weaken it significantly at all.
With the 4 bolt one, I could notch even less, the only reason it doesn't line up is one of the "assembly" (for the hitch itself) studs is RIGHT on that ridge. I can see the hole, just you can't get a bolt in it without cross threading.

I guess we can try returning this one too, and try the mopar hitch.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:47 pm

hscrugby wrote:

tjkj2002 wrote:

The OEM gas tank skid is made to still work with the OEM rear hitch,some of the other rear hitches may work,or may not with the OEM gas tank skid.Get a OEM(MOPAR) rear hitch,it will solve all your problems.The MOPAR rear hitch is only a few $$$ more then those aftermarket ones anyway,and it's a perfect fit.

If your going to cut up the OEM gas tank skid might as well just remove it all together,it will be worthless then.

Well, I was just going to notch about 2" in the ridge. I doubt it would weaken it significantly at all.
With the 4 bolt one, I could notch even less, the only reason it doesn't line up is one of the "assembly" (for the hitch itself) studs is RIGHT on that ridge. I can see the hole, just you can't get a bolt in it without cross threading.

I guess we can try returning this one too, and try the mopar hitch.

Yes cutting any material from the OEM skid will weaken it,also your tow rating with that universal hitch will be no greater then a classII hitch(2000lbs max) with only using 4 bolts and not the full 6(can't use it as a rear recovery point either),just to let you know.

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 6:41 pm

I have the draw-tite hitch and my mopar gas tank skid fits just fine. I dont remember having any problems getting it on.

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:02 pm

Jeepjeepster - do you wax your skidplates????

mine wasn't that clean coming out of the box.....

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 8:06 pm

X2 for the Drawtite and Mopar Fuel Skid working fine together

Jeepjeepster · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 9:24 pm

ATXKJ wrote:

Jeepjeepster - do you wax your skidplates????

mine wasn't that clean coming out of the box.....

No, but when I clean the under body I do spray tire shine on everything.

LostEddie · **Posted:** Mon Jun 23, 2008 11:10 pm

hscrugby, your problem may just be alignment. Jeepster's pic shows the extra hole to use to pry things into place. However, on mine I ended up having to use a small c-clamp to align and hold the skid holes to the hitch holes, and then, a bar in the extra holes to align the skid/hitch with the frame holes.

Good luck.

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 7:27 am

LostEddie wrote:

hscrugby, your problem may just be alignment. Jeepster's pic shows the extra hole to use to pry things into place. However, on mine I ended up having to use a small c-clamp to align and hold the skid holes to the hitch holes, and then, a bar in the extra holes to align the skid/hitch with the frame holes.

Good luck.

True...maybe he needs to "push" it in plave with a big old craftsman screwdriver (or any other lifetime warranty driver).

ohv_kj · **Posted:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:35 pm

no pics but i have a reese that works great

LibertyFever · **Posted:** Tue Jun 24, 2008 4:24 pm

tjkj2002 wrote:

The OEM gas tank skid is made to still work with the OEM rear hitch,some of the other rear hitches may work,or may not with the OEM gas tank skid.Get a OEM(MOPAR) rear hitch,it will solve all your problems.The MOPAR rear hitch is only a few $$$ more then those aftermarket ones anyway,and it's a perfect fit.

If your going to cut up the OEM gas tank skid might as well just remove it all together,it will be worthless then.

Thanks for this info. I've been considering buying a gas tank skidplate but was wondering if the Mopar OEM hitch would fit around it.
I guess I'll be ordering a OEM gas tank skidplate.

hscrugby · **Joined:** Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:53 am **Posts:** 11

Blue KJ in PA wrote:

LostEddie wrote:

hscrugby, your problem may just be alignment. Jeepster's pic shows the extra hole to use to pry things into place. However, on mine I ended up having to use a small c-clamp to align and hold the skid holes to the hitch holes, and then, a bar in the extra holes to align the skid/hitch with the frame holes.

Good luck.

True...maybe he needs to "push" it in plave with a big old craftsman screwdriver (or any other lifetime warranty driver).

Yea, not just alignment.
I'm used to working on my TJ, or other older trucks around a farm back home.
I have a 20" or so craftsman "screwdriver" as well as other random chunks of metal for shoving.

I met him for lunch and looked closer, so what my plan for Friday now is 1 of 2 things.
1. hammer the ridge down some. It's only going to take like 1/4-1/2" on each side at the top.
2. loosen gas skid, to shove it a little to one side, then hopefully compress it enough the other side can get on.

All in all it makes me think his kj is just as "slightly off" as my TJ is.

tjkj2002 · **Posted:** Wed Jun 25, 2008 10:36 am

hscrugby wrote:

Blue KJ in PA wrote:

LostEddie wrote:

hscrugby, your problem may just be alignment. Jeepster's pic shows the extra hole to use to pry things into place. However, on mine I ended up having to use a small c-clamp to align and hold the skid holes to the hitch holes, and then, a bar in the extra holes to align the skid/hitch with the frame holes.

Good luck.

True...maybe he needs to "push" it in plave with a big old craftsman screwdriver (or any other lifetime warranty driver).

Yea, not just alignment.
I'm used to working on my TJ, or other older trucks around a farm back home.
I have a 20" or so craftsman "screwdriver" as well as other random chunks of metal for shoving.

I met him for lunch and looked closer, so what my plan for Friday now is 1 of 2 things.
1. hammer the ridge down some. It's only going to take like 1/4-1/2" on each side at the top.
2. loosen gas skid, to shove it a little to one side, then hopefully compress it enough the other side can get on.

All in all it makes me think his kj is just as "slightly off" as my TJ is.

You know that you have to completely unbolt the gas tank skid to put the hitch on,right?(not the 2 straps that hold the gas tank up)

The gas tank skid and the hitch use the same six bolts----it goes-frame,gas tank skid,hitch.

hscrugby · **Joined:** Wed Mar 28, 2007 10:53 am **Posts:** 11

tjkj2002 wrote:

You know that you have to completely unbolt the gas tank skid to put the hitch on,right?(not the 2 straps that hold the gas tank up)

The gas tank skid and the hitch use the same six bolts----it goes-frame,gas tank skid,hitch.

Hmm.
His OE skid has more than 6 bolts holding it on?
the 3 on each side, (all needed for 6 bolt style) and then i didn't really look, but taking them all off it was still snug.
I think there were 2 by the back bumper, and either a tab, or more bolts towards the front of the vehicle.

No clue. He's coming over tonight and we're gonna get a hitch on there one way or another.
I've got plasma, grinders, welders, and pretty much whatever else.
Just would rather not apply any of those near the gas tank. :lol:

Thanks for the help.

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 12:35 pm

Should only be 3 bolts on either side of the fuel skid required for removal to drop the skid. http://www.mopar-accessories.com/en-US/imagehandler.ashx?id=1225

ATXKJ · **Posted:** Thu Jun 26, 2008 1:44 pm

hscrugby wrote:

I think there were 2 by the back bumper, and either a tab, or more bolts towards the front of the vehicle.

Those should be the bolts for the straps that hold the gas tank in.

The hitch and skid plate are bolted on the sides.

Can't get trailer hitch to fit over/around skid plate on 04

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