Hidden Hitch 2" Front Receiver Install or Pics

lssmith · 03-22-2010, 02:48 PM

Sorry to start a new thread on this but my searching proved fruitless. Has anyone done this install on their TJ? This is a Hidden Hitch part#65048. How easy is it? Says you have to remove the front tow hooks in the install. Does anyone have pics of the hitch installed? Since the tow hooks have to be removed I am worried it has to be mounted on top of the stock bumper which would look like HELL! Thanks in advance.

**Jerry Bransford** · 03-22-2010, 02:57 PM

I used to have an Olympic Rock bumper up front with a built-in receiver hitch that was integrated into the front bumper. Not above or below the bumper, was welded into the bumper itself. It probably doesn't cost much more than the cost of that Hidden Hitch you're looking at. It worked really well, I carried my son's small motorcycle from it and used it to manueuver a fairly heavy 20' power boat around some hilly terrain.

lssmith · 03-22-2010, 09:47 PM

I too want to move around a trailer via the front bumper. I just thought this might be a cost effective way ($154 including shipping) to achieve this goal without major/minor mods. I can't find any install pic's or advice so I figured I would float this post out there hoping for some applicable advice. Thanks!

Lynch_6913 · 03-22-2010, 10:35 PM

Darn i wish i still had pics, on my previous TJ i actually cut a class III hitch (2") down to the main receiver triangle area, then welded it to the bumper and the bottom brace, looked clean and worked great. i lost that jeep in a front on crash, the welds on the receiver didn't break it actually bent the bumper instead, so its a strong place to put it and it is rather concealed. though it does stick on the bottom of the bumper.

XXRider · 03-22-2010, 11:03 PM

Jeep front bumper CJ YJ TJ Wrangler : eBay Motors (item 150339463427 end time Apr-11-10 10:08:40 PDT) He can likely add the 2 inch receiver cheaper than you can just buy the hidden hitch. There are lots of other guys/companies making them.

wquin · 03-23-2010, 04:21 AM

I have one on mine. It just bolts on after removing plastic trim, the factory hooks and the front bolt of the sway bar bushing. If you want hooks you need to drill a new hole in the hitch for the second bolt. The factory hooks can be swapped side to side if you drill the hole but if you have the factory driving lights they will be too close to use. I picked up a pair of generic 10000 pound hooks and used those.

And yes it is cost effective. It sits on top and acts as a bit of a bush bar. I have an old style bumper bike carrier attached to it, a removable vertical rack for the front of my canoe, and used to have a hitch mounted winch. Which is on the get a new one list. As well as moving things around...

**Jerry Bransford** · 03-23-2010, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lssmith

I too want to move around a trailer via the front bumper. I just thought this might be a cost effective way ($154 including shipping) to achieve this goal without major/minor mods. I can't find any install pic's or advice so I figured I would float this post out there hoping for some applicable advice. Thanks!

Here's an old pic of that Olympic Rock bumper just before I replaced it with a stubby bumper from AtoZ that did not have a receiver hitch.

lssmith · 03-23-2010, 01:18 PM

I now realize that the hitch mounts on top of the bumper and that's a deal breaker for me. I like the idea of welding the receiver plate to the bumper. I just didn't think it would be strong enough, but I think that is the way I am going to head. Appreciate the advice guys.

**Jerry Bransford** · 03-23-2010, 03:37 PM

I didn't weld that receiver hitch into my Olympic Rock bumper, it came that way.

lssmith · 03-24-2010, 06:40 PM

Twenty bucks at Harbor Freight...Booya!

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

my05rubi · 03-24-2010, 06:50 PM

I did the same as Lynch 6913. It works for moving boat trailers etc. I don't have pics now, my Wrangler is about a 1,000 miles away.

**Jerry Bransford** · 03-24-2010, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lssmith

Twenty bucks at Harbor Freight...Booya!

- Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices

Nice, that works (if it's welded properly)!

JeepEnka74 · 03-24-2010, 07:44 PM

I, too, have an Olympic reciever bumper. It has proved more than useful, as a winch point and for putting our Jetski's in the lake. It seems to me, that for recovery uses (with a cradle mounted winch,) the hidden hitch would be the way to go. For moving trailers around, though, the bumper can't be beat. My father-in-law liked it so much, he had my put one on his Tahoe!

lssmith · 03-25-2010, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Nice, that works (if it's welded properly)!

True! One of the guys that works for me here is going to weld it on this weekend. Should be plenty strong enough to push a 5 x 8 Big Tex trailer around a big tree and into my side yard.

**undercoverfab** · 03-25-2010, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lssmith

True! One of the guys that works for me here is going to weld it on this weekend. Should be plenty strong enough to push a 5 x 8 Big Tex trailer around a big tree and into my side yard.

I went and got the Harbor Freight 3,500lb step hitch today. It should work well to support a utility trailer while I winch some big tree trunks onto the trailer to haul to the curb.

Quality looks pretty good to me. Appears that it my be robot welded.