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receiver hitch clearence issue

2K views 36 replies 16 participants last post by  Knuckelhead 
#1 ·
Im considering getting a receiver hitch for my 1997 Wrangler. thinking about a standard hitch from Uhaul. cant afford the newer bumper/hitch combos right now. I do moderate to rough 4 wheeling on back roads but don't do any rock climbing. Is this hitch going to limit my ground clearance noticeably, or bottom out my back end? thanks for any info
 
#2 ·
Not really. It's tucked in between the bumper and the gas tank skid. It shouldn't be any noticeable difference if you're not dropping off of steep ledges.
By the way, where are you located? I've had one sitting around that came on my TJ I'd be willing to part with for cheap.

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#3 ·
If you're on backroads as you say, it shouldn't be problematic. But neither the round- nor square-bar U-Haul receivers will "tuck" much, so you will lose departure angle, without a doubt.
Don't forget, you'll lose your factory tow hook. Either fasten one (or two) to the frame, or keep your hitch pin and clip in the Jeep.
 
#10 ·
Here's a pic of my Curt. Maybe gives you an idea of how much it hangs down.
holy 2jhanna :eyebulge: ......you have a stock bumper too!! thought i was the only one on here with a stock bumper and even stock bumper ends......:thumbsup:.....we should start a club:shhh:
 
#6 ·
Dirt Worx makes an impressive heavy duty bumper with an integrated receiver hitch that loses no ground clearance. I've had his rear bumpers on both of my TJs. And for only $150 it's a steal.

Not to mention it is American made just north of me here in SOCAL. It also includes through-welded D-ring shackle mounts.

http://www.thedirtworx.com/_p/prd13/1638368235/product/rear-bumper

This is what it looks like on my TJ.

 
#8 ·
Do you find that you hit the outside corner of the tub on rocks much? I hit the corners of my Warn bumper a few times pretty hard on the Rubicon trail this year. I don't have corner armor yet but I don't like the hitch in the warn bumper much, it's a little anemic looking. That looks like it stays tighter to the crossmember than the warn one does though.
 
#9 ·
Im considering getting a receiver hitch for my 1997 Wrangler. thinking about a standard hitch from Uhaul. cant afford the newer bumper/hitch combos right now. I do moderate to rough 4 wheeling on back roads but don't do any rock climbing. Is this hitch going to limit my ground clearance noticeably, or bottom out my back end? thanks for any info
i just did this to my 97, got a curt hitch(etrailer.com) a quick T wiring harness(ebay) and a mopar cover(ebay), was surprised at how tucked away it is.....but i to do not rock climb....just thought it would be nice to have for cargo holder for extra luggage or bike rack.
Car Automotive tail & brake light Automotive tire Automotive lighting Vehicle


as you can see gas tank is still lower than hitch

Automotive lighting Automotive tire Plant Automotive exterior Bumper


here's a link to an issue i had when putting mine on, hopefully you won't have same problem!! http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f9/decided-put-hitch-receiver-thanks-po-3897305/
 
#14 ·
You can count me in the separate hitch with stock rear bumper and floaties crowd as well. I went with a bolt on hitch on both my Jeeps instead of the integral setup more commonly seen primarily due to the overabundance of distracted and texting lowriders buzzing around all over, figured the lower sitting hitch would do a better job of keeping them out of my gas tank should they try to invade my space. As an added bonus, the stock rear milk jugs have saved the corners of my tub numerous times.
:tea:
 
#15 ·
I have been running this bumper hitch combo for 10 to 15 years and used it to pull trailers for at least a few thousand miles moving around while in the Army and countless shorter trip since then.

Here it is for just over $200 bucks. It is built into the bumper you you don't loose clearance.

It is pretty stout and can take a hit.

https://www.4wd.com/p/olympic-4x4-p...pcfon=1&gp=1&gclid=CMu_tIS-_c8CFQgaaQod6HQChw
 
#18 ·
https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-76750D-Classic-Bumper-D-Ring/dp/B001CF5EHG

i know what people think of Sh!ittybilt but i found it pretty solid.. and its actually tow rated with tag so its one of rare certified for towing.. i paid under 200 cnd for it.. it was cheaper then a hitch in my case just gotta look around for it can find really cheap.. they also have one without D RING thats cheaper is what i got ...
like this one :O

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Bumpers-...50.aspx?t_c=64&t_s=26&t_pt=3486&t_pn=S/B76750

this is like 169 bucks US .. here it is on my jeep..

 
#20 ·
https://www.amazon.com/Smittybilt-76750D-Classic-Bumper-D-Ring/dp/B001CF5EHG

i know what people think of Sh!ittybilt but i found it pretty solid.. and its actually tow rated with tag so its one of rare certified for towing.. i paid under 200 cnd for it.. it was cheaper then a hitch in my case just gotta look around for it can find really cheap.. they also have one without D RING thats cheaper is what i got ...
like this one :O

http://www.4wheelparts.com/Bumpers-...50.aspx?t_c=64&t_s=26&t_pt=3486&t_pn=S/B76750

this is like 169 bucks US .. here it is on my jeep..

http://s726.photobucket.com/user/ford_probe/media/IMG_0578.jpg.html
For $19 less you can get American (SOCAL) made quality rather than something imported from China. www.thedirtworx.com :)
 
#22 ·
There's no doubt that anything you bolt below the bumper will reduce your clearance but if your not rock crawling and stick to very mild trails I don't think it's going to be a gamechanger. I've hit my stock location spare dropping off a ledge before and it's mounted 6" above the bumper so it all depends on your type of wheeling.

But I definitely recommend going with a full replacement bumper, I'm eagerly awaiting my dirtworx tire carrier to be delivered right now.

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#23 ·
There's no doubt that anything you bolt below the bumper will reduce your clearance but if your not rock crawling and stick to very mild trails I don't think it's going to be a gamechanger. I've hit my stock location spare dropping off a ledge before and it's mounted 6" above the bumper so it all depends on your type of wheeling.

But I definitely recommend going with a full replacement bumper, I'm eagerly awaiting my dirtworx tire carrier to be delivered right now.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk
Make a review thread after you have had it a while. A lot of carriers I have seen seem to be a pain to get open and make a lot of noise. These guys seem to have good prices though.
 
#33 ·
I don't know what it takes to actually get a bumper "rated" for towing, but I'll bet it isn't cheap. The smaller manufacturers (e.g. Dirtworx) probably can't justify the expense, even though they may easily qualify. The larger companies (e.g. Smittybilt) can easily absorb the cost knowing they will sell more bumpers as a result.
 
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