That pesky front hitch

nolakj · **Posted:** Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:40 pm

So my drill batteries died after a full charge and I haven't even gotten all the way through the frame rail with my first "access hole". This is with my improvised drill press (jack under drill). Am I using the wrong kind of hole saw? Anyone know of a particular type that may be a bit more efficient because at this rate my Libs will be paid off before i get these hole cut.

JJsTJ · **Posted:** Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:52 pm

Craftsman 1/2" drill motor, plugged into the wall. Heavy drilling jobs are best left to a big drill motor. Maybe use your recharageable to start pilot holes and then finish up w/ a big drill. Also, are you using a hole saw for metal?

nolakj · **Posted:** Thu Apr 20, 2006 4:59 pm

Might need to go find a drill that plugs right in. Sometimes the most obvious answer is the best.

Thanks!

jason thompson · **Posted:** Thu Apr 20, 2006 6:01 pm

i got every tool you will need in a truck and could come over to help
your like what 10 min drive away?

nolakj · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 10:55 am

I appreciate the hand Jason. Hopefully we can get that hitch knocked out this evening. Stupid metal! :evil:

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:21 pm

I used an 18volt Dewalt hammer drill in the high speed drilling mode and pushed with my hands only. Did not have to kick it up to the hammer mode... :lol:

. The key most likely is the bit you have and how sharp it is and if it if meant for metal rather than wood. I actually grabbed a masonary bit by accident. Still cut thru like hot knife in butter.

LostRenegade · **Posted:** Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:26 pm

If you take off the bumper cover, you don't have to drill as big of a hole. My Hidden Hitch said to drill a 1" access hole to feed the bolts in through. When I took off the bumper cover and the covers to the frame rails, I found that I could easily put in the bolts. I only drilled the hole large enough for the third bolt.

corwyyn · **Posted:** Sat Apr 22, 2006 2:10 am

LostRenegade wrote:

If you take off the bumper cover, you don't have to drill as big of a hole. My Hidden Hitch said to drill a 1" access hole to feed the bolts in through. When I took off the bumper cover and the covers to the frame rails, I found that I could easily put in the bolts. I only drilled the hole large enough for the third bolt.

I think my instructions actually showed removing the bumper face and the two covers - made things a LOT easier. When you are drilling metal don't forget to use a decent lubricant; keeps things cooler and your bits last longer.

Kugellager · **Posted:** Sat Apr 22, 2006 4:28 pm

You don't need to trash (And potentially weaken) your frame by drilling an access hole. I found a very easy way to fish the bolts in. Once the acces covers are off get a piece a stiff copper wire that is a little over one foot long. Bend a 'U' shape into one end with a pair of pliers so that it makes a 'U' about 1/2 inch in size and make the 'U' face forward on the wire (imagine a Shuffle Board Stick but with a deepr 'U'). Then slip the shaft of the bolt to be fished into the 'U' and squeeze the arms of the 'U' slightly around the bolt to hold it firmly in place (So it won't come loose while fishing it down the frame). Then all you need to do is stick the stiff wire with the bolt on the end to where the bolt holes in the frame are. Once you thread the nut on a few spins just tug on the wire and the bolt will remain behind.

Its very easy and works very well...a coat hanger can also be used as the wire.

John
];')

corwyyn · **Posted:** Sat Apr 22, 2006 5:50 pm

I'll have to try that one next time I am doing something like that. I did have to drill a hole on each side, but that was because the hitch uses three bolts per side to mount.

Blue KJ in PA · **Posted:** Sat Apr 22, 2006 11:07 pm

I too took the front plastic "bumper" off and then had easy access to the inside of the frame rail. I have a Draw-Tite so I had to drill the third hole on each side.

I taped the bolts to a long screwdriver to guide them into the holes.

That pesky front hitch

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