I need some help finding the right front receiver!

[JasonAVGuy]

Just thought I would give an update to the front hitch. So far it has been used to move boats, winch my truck from a snow bank, push a F150 with a locked up rear end off the road, and move my camper around with a 750lb tongue weight. It has worked great and taken everything that I have tossed at it.

[Ravenkeeper]

Last week, I stumbled across a local guy selling his Reese 37042 tow hitch for $40. SCORE!!!! One project, of 5, lined up for my paid time off in December. Now to find a, preferably, 7-wire connector for the front, a LED light bar for under the grill, LED light bar of on the top of the front of the bed of my truck, amber LED strobes for in the back window of my truck, and a license plate holder for the front hitch (part of the front hitch project). Will post pictures around New Year's Day.

[Ravenkeeper]

Stumbled across another Reese 37042 for $40, in Alhambra, CA (Los Angeles), on CraigsList. If anyone is looking.

 

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/sgv/pts/d/reese-multi-fit-hitch-2/6295932835.html

[lsxrx7]

bump

pics no working

someone rehost pls ?

[JasonAVGuy]

32 minutes ago, lsxrx7 said:

bump

pics no working

someone rehost pls ?

Thats weird the pictures are gone...... Anyone know how to fix this? 

 

anyways here are all the pictures not in order but better then nothing. Happy to answer any questions too!

 

[Ravenkeeper]

How much of a pain is it to lock the hitch into the receiver? 

[JasonAVGuy]

On 1/3/2018 at 12:37 AM, Ravenkeeper said:

How much of a pain is it to lock the hitch into the receiver? 

Easy you just have to take a knee to do it on a stock hight truck. I also don`t have the air dam so that helps but plenty of room to get a hand and pin in. 

[pewterliftedz]

On 12/27/2017 at 11:32 PM, JasonAVGuy said:

Ok so I have installed a hidden front receiver and I`m very happy with it! if you read my post above you will see why I decided to do it this way vs buying one for the truck. I ended up not using the Reese receiver and went with a Curt 13900 Class 3 Multi-Fit Trailer Hitch. A link will be below and im sure glad this is the one I used it worked great! It even extends to the right width using the pre drilled holes but you will have to flip it upside down and switch the side brackets. It is rated for the same 500/5000lb as my other Curt front receivers it just does not have the 9000lb line pull rating because it is a rear hitch by design. Anyone please correct me if im wrong but I see no reason it wont withstand the same line pull force. The only thing is it does sit a little farther back then perfect. Just make sure your Winch, bike rack, ect has a longer 2in tube and you will be fine. Here is what I did.... also I have a second set of hands. THANKS JONATHAN!!!!!

 

 

http://www.amazon.com/13900-Class-Multi-Fit-Trailer-Hitch/dp/B00WQNSSZS

 

 

In addition to the normal tools I used the following items

-Drill with 1/2 in metal bit

-Bar Steel ( For large washers )

-Angle Grinder with 80grit wheel and cut off wheel

-Bed Liner Spray

-White Lithium Grease for cooling the bit

 

Here are my steps if you have any questions just ask

 

 

1. Youtube how to remove your grill and bumper!!! Then Do that and remember what goes where!!!

 

 

2. Remove the Bumper mounting plates 3 Bolts ( so you can get your hand and tools into frame )

3. There is a larger hole that I used Bar Steel drilled to 1/2in and the provided washer to make it stronger. It is right behind the tow ring and this is used for the front hole when mounting a front hitch to the truck ( thats following the instruction that Curt provides for the front hitch they designed for the truck )

4. Use the bar steel, washer and bolt

5.Place the bolt from inside the frame down through the hole

6. With a friend place one of the hitch frame mounts up to the bolt using the front hole on the hitch and place a lock washer on the bolt then loosely place the nut on the bolt

7. Make sure its upside down then slide the center hitch bar onto the frame mount you just put on

8. Slide the other frame mount into the center bar and lift it up to the Bolt and loosely tighten the nut

9. What you have should look like this ( Below )

10. Place the bolts inside the center bar following the instructions but dont tighten!!! ( only use a bolt, lock washer, and nut they want you to tighten it so it crushes the steel and secures the hitch )

11. Take care to center the side frame rails and the center hitch bar also pull the hitch all the way to the front of the truck

12. Tighten the two bolts to secure the hitch in its final position TRIPLE CHECK TO MAKE SURE ITS RIGHT!!!!!!

13. With a 1/2 bit drill a hole into the frame using the rear froward hole as a guide see picture ( thats following the instruction that Curt provides for the front hitch they designed for the truck )

14. With the provided fish wire put a washer on the bolt and screw it into the fish and pull it down through the hole from inside the frame

15. Add lock washer and nut then tighten

16. Repeat 13,14, and 15 for the other side

17. Tighten all bolts to recommended torque

18. I covered everything with spray on bed-liner but thats up to you

19. Remove you license plate bracket ( mine was on with double sided tape )

20. With a friend lift the bumper to the mounting point and mark you cut points in the steel ( cut the square hole so there is still steel all the way around the hitch )

21. With a cut tool ..... cut it out

22. Cut the first layer of plastic out but dont go through the area you see yet

23. Re mount the bumper and adjust to the same place it was ( I used the washer marks as reference )

24. Drill a small hole into the plastic from the front of the bumper then continue to trim till your happy with the hole

25. I taped a small area off and sanded it down then covered the area with the spray on bed-liner

26. Put your truck back together and enjoy! ( this job took my friend and I about 6 hr )

 

Here are some more Pictures

 

I was bored, and wanted to read the write up with pictures haha

[jasheffer]

Would anyone know if this application would also fit on a 98 Chevy P/U.

[Ravenkeeper]

9 hours ago, jasheffer said:

Would anyone know if this application would also fit on a 98 Chevy P/U.

@JasonAVGuy might know, but I'd have to put a 98 next to a newer truck.  I may be possible.

[Jacoby]

10 hours ago, jasheffer said:

Would anyone know if this application would also fit on a 98 Chevy P/U.

I guess I’ll do the hard work for you since I’m nice

 

https://www.etrailer.com/fmr-1998_Chevrolet_C%2FK+Series+Pickup.htm

[jasheffer]

I should re-state this as has anyone done this to a 98 Chevy?  I was trying to find pics to compare side by side trucks minus grill and bumper without any luck. It’s heading to the body shop Monday and I’d like to give the techs something to go on other than, “I know a guy that....”

 

But I do appreciate the interest and you doing the hard work!

[JasonAVGuy]

2 hours ago, jasheffer said:

I should re-state this as has anyone done this to a 98 Chevy?  I was trying to find pics to compare side by side trucks minus grill and bumper without any luck. It’s heading to the body shop Monday and I’d like to give the techs something to go on other than, “I know a guy that....”

 

But I do appreciate the interest and you doing the hard work!

Hey guys! Sorry for the delay.... have a two year and two week old at home. FUN! 

 

So its it’s been awhile since I have been under a 98 era truck but the nice thing about that model hitch aside from being able to flip it to gain clearance is the fact that it’s adjustable width wise. As long as the truck has clearance in the center between the frame it should be fine. If I remember correctly the radiator might sit a little lower in that truck as the whole front end is shorter but I’m happy to give you any measurements of my hitch when I get back to my truck Sunday afternoon. 

[JasonAVGuy]

On 2/22/2019 at 4:16 AM, pewterliftedz said:

I was bored, and wanted to read the write up with pictures haha

Nice job recreating this! I could never figure out how it got out of wack but it sure is nicer to read all together. Thank you! 

[ewhuff]

On 12/28/2017 at 12:32 AM, JasonAVGuy said:

Thats weird the pictures are gone...... Anyone know how to fix this? 

 

anyways here are all the pictures not in order but better then nothing. Happy to answer any questions too!

What is the measurement from the mount point to the receiver? I've put the bumper linked below on my truck and wondered if I could flip the mounts and attach to the receiver through the cutout in the middle of the bumper.

 

 

 

https://www.americantrucks.com/barricade-extreme-hd-front-bumper-16117.html#product_pics-10

Edited April 24, 2020 by ewhuff