Trailer Hitch

[Croatan_Kid]

I just put a Curt #13028 V-5 class 3 trailer hitch on my M1008. I did away with the rear shackle mounts to make room and since there's already the pintle hitch, I still have a solid pulling point that is easy to use with gloves on. I did have to use a few flat washers to space it away from the bumper a little bit, but it looks awesome! You can't see the main crossbar from behind the truck, just the 2" reciever. After we took the shackle mounts off I only had to enlarge one existing hole. It's got four 1/2" grade 8 bolts holding it on....I think it'll stay put!


I'll take pics when I get home ir it's still daylight, if not they'll be up tomorrow morning!

 

[ehuppert]

Been meaning to post pics and details on my hitch install on the 85 1008.....

Draw tite class III, 75034

Ended up torching of the most foward portions of the shacle mount bars underneath the frame. Measured and Trimmed just enough that i can put a flat plate from whats left of the bracket to the hitch, and up to the frame. Obviously had to ditch the spare tire carrier. Will triangulate a piece of steel and use existing holes in side brackets of hitch, bumper bracket and upto the frame. this should tie things in nicely, don't have to lose any rigidity in the shackl, frame, bumper, etc.

Only two of the three bolt holes would line up, ended up drilling a "third" hole. Also had to elongate the rear most holes as they didn't quite line up.

Also had to grind some of the square mounting plates (top of frame attaching points) as the rear crossmember is located a little different than the civvy models.

Much easier to do than i had anticipated, but having access to torches is the key!

Eric

 

[AJMBLAZER]

All that grinding and cutting...bah...you just need a master fabricator with a large supply of scrap steel for a father in law like I have.

Mine doesn't disturb any of the CUCV components but we had to fab up everything between the tube and the frame rails. Just got it back from getting sand blasted and Rhino Lined. Hope to have it on soon.

 

[msoumas]

Are you doing anything with those shackles you took off? I lost one on my front bumper on the maiden voyage.

 

[Croatan_Kid]

They didn't have shackles on them, that's why I just took the mounts off. Of course, I had already cut the rear part of the brace in half before I just decided to unbolt them.....live and learn!

 

[CCATLETT1984]

I dont know that i'd trust 4bolts, i'd run a few weld beads along the joints as well. I have a class V on mine that is run through the bumper and took the place of the pintle, so i just have a combination pintle/ball on my hitch.

 

[Croatan_Kid]

I might drill the other two bolts one day soon.....or weld it.

 

[Croatan_Kid]

Forgot to mention I also got a massive transmission cooler. 10"x21" and it's 1.5" thick!

 

[Bozor1000]

That hitch looks good.

 

[CCATLETT1984]

for your trans cooler, you do have to worry about cooling it too much in winter. they sell bypass valves with thermostats built in them for this purpose, if the fluid is under a certain temp, it will just circulate it.