Not so hidden hitch protecting fuel tank and rear bumper install

[Brad]

One of the projects I accomplished when I shortened the bed was to install this '73 Suburban fuel tank. It's a 25 gal tank that was virtually spotless inside and I simply rotated the filler inlet 90* towards the driver side to make filling and mounting it much easier. It works like a champ! However, I've been running it like this for awhile and it was a disaster waiting to happen.

As you'll see it mounts almost all the to the rear which makes a Pinto look safe in comparison and so my goal was to install a hidden hitch to protect it in the event I ever get rear-ended. I found one in a local junkyard for cheap and I also had a bumper that I got in trade from another board member awhile ago that I wanted to mount at the same time.

Here's a link to my buildup thread:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=181633
Here's a link to the Brophy model #RH34 hitch that I used:http://www.crbrophy.com/rhxx.html

[Brad]

Unfortunately, the hitch wouldn't fit on the outside of the frame rails like I figured it would and the project seem to come to a dead end. Not to be outsmarted by a piece of steel, I began measuring and figured out that the hitch could actually sit inside the frame rails and so I set out to install it just that way.

At this point, the hitch would only go in so far without some mods to the sheetmetal below the tailgate and to the hitch itself. So out came the grinder with the 4" cutoff wheel.

[Brad]

Here are pics of my sculpting. All I had to do on the hitch was cut a notch out of the angle on the side piece to make it fit inside the frame rails and as close to the fuel tank as I wanted.

[Brad]

I had my next door neighbor weld up the hitch in the frame and here is the fuel tank and hitch installed ready for the bumper. As far as the bumper, I just drilled holes to mount it and you can see the final outcome below.

One of the problems I encountered was that I can no longer use the inside bracket for the bumper which isn't a big deal. Also, as you can see the hitch sticks out quite a bit more than necessary and I mounted an old Nova flip up license plate holder but it doesn't cover the hitch as a result. I'm going to find a receiver tube and measure how much I'll be able to cut off of the hitch and I should be able to come close to hiding the hitch completely. Also I need to come up with a better looking light, but it works for now until I can get back to it down the road.

[BUDDY]

Originally Posted by Brad

I had my next door neighbor weld up the hitch in the frame and here is the fuel tank and hitch installed ready for the bumper. As far as the bumper, I just drilled holes to mount it and you can see the final outcome below.

One of the problems I encountered was that I can no longer use the inside bracket for the bumper which isn't a big deal. Also, as you can see the hitch sticks out quite a bit more than necessary and I mounted an old Nova flip up license plate holder but it doesn't cover the hitch as a result. I'm going to find a receiver tube and measure how much I'll be able to cut off of the hitch and I should be able to come close to hiding the hitch completely. Also I need to come up with a better looking light, but it works for now until I can get back to it down the road.

I think it looks fine from the back. You probably should cut off the receiver & re-weld it further back, though. You could maybe also, notch the crossmember of the hitch, & inset the receiver tube up a little.

Nice project, & thanks for all of the pictures.

Later,

Buddy

[truckdude239]

wow nice

[jimmydean]

Bumper looks real good and now the tank is secured. Nice work, not too much left to do now.

[msgross]

did it weaken your rear cross sill when you notched it? The outcome is better looking than I thought it would be, looks safer now as well. nice work. We had a mid 90's burb and had to cut off some of the receiver, you would bang your shin against it since it stuck out so far! that smarts!

[Brad]

Originally Posted by msgross

did it weaken your rear cross sill when you notched it?

I'm not sure what you're asking. If you're referring to the notch in the hitch, I had to do that in order to slide it farther into the frame. You'll notice in pic 7 above what it looked like without the notch, then in pic 9 it's got the notch. The inside of the frame is roughly 4" tall and the notch just continues that height and buts up into the frame and 'bottoms out' against that back edge. It was all welded in and I think it's stronger at this point than just the chrome bumper would have been. Hope that answers your question.

[poorboy]

Nice work.

[Brad]

Thanks for all the kind comments. The bumper looks a little crooked in the pic, and I just need to adjust it a bit and it'll look perfect.

Btw, if this doesn't protect me in case of getting rear-ended then I don't know what will. This thing is REALLY strong and I'd hate to see what that tube sticking out would do to an import. I've noticed people don't follow as close as they used to!

[Brad]

The receiver on the hitch is actually about 12" long. Much longer than is really necessary and in fact the end buts up against the tank so no mounting it farther back. However, I think I can get away with cutting about 3-4" off the front and then the lic. plate will hang down properly.

Also, at first I was concerned with how low the tube sat in the hitch, but I think it offers more protection this way and if needed, I can always just mount the receiver tube upside down in the hitch for a trailer to sit level.

[1BadSS]

No offense pal, but thats the most mickey mouse mechanics work i've ever seen in my life.

[AesC10s]

Originally Posted by 1BadSS

No offense pal, but thats the most mickey mouse mechanics work i've ever seen in my life.

Then Why dont you go to oregon and show him how its done! He is doing the best he can with the tools and supplies he has. Looks just fine to everyone else!

[AesC10s]

Brad could you possibly Take the hitch part circled in red and move it to one of the yellow spots and have it rewelded on and pushed back a bit to make it a little more hidden?

Did you ever get your vibration issue taken care of?

BTW Project is looking good Keep it up.

-Aaron

[1BadSS]

Originally Posted by AesC10s

Then Why dont you go to oregon and show him how its done! He is doing the best he can with the tools and supplies he has. Looks just fine to everyone else!

He appears to be putting thought into the work, but alot of hastly done thought. Brad, what posessed you to put your gas tank there? Worst case i'd have installed an inbed fuel cell. Even with the bumper there, a hard enough shock and you'll be toast. Now you've got something to spark and crush against the tank.

[msgross]

His setup is only missing a rear frame support, otherwise it would be like every other guy that has a SWB and a rear tank... like mine

www.picasaweb.google.com/hawkdriver2002

[68GMC454]

well being a card carrying meber of the mickey mouse auto mechanics union...i would say good job..heck if you dont have access to alot of tools or friends that might have a different idea,,you do what you got to do to make it work..i could see some redneck useing baleing wire and duct tape..

looks good man..and if some body says something about it,,smack them in the back of the head for being to close toyour truck...

i think it turned out good..but on your tank,,you said it was a 25 gallon tank,,do you think there is room for a 36 to 40 gal tank from a burban,,i want to go that big with out going to a fuel cell...heck if i go with a fuel cell,, i might as well put a 125 tank in the front of the bed...

[Boog]

Originally Posted by 68GMC454

well being a card carrying meber of the mickey mouse auto mechanics union...i would say good job..heck if you dont have access to alot of tools or friends that might have a different idea,,you do what you got to do to make it work..i could see some redneck useing baleing wire and duct tape..

looks good man..and if some body says something about it,,smack them in the back of the head for being to close toyour truck...

i think it turned out good..but on your tank,,you said it was a 25 gallon tank,,do you think there is room for a 36 to 40 gal tank from a burban,,i want to go that big with out going to a fuel cell...heck if i go with a fuel cell,, i might as well put a 125 tank in the front of the bed...

Many Suburban tanks are 42 gallon. That would be an awful lot of weight to be hanging on the rear of one of these trucks. Maybe an inbed tank of that size might be better due to the weight placement. I was in Tractor Supply today looking at some tool boxes and they have what looks like a combo tool box and fuel or hydraulic tank there. Possibilities there.

[Brad]

1BadSS, I think the way you stated your opinion was rather rude. I'm guessing you see dirt and surface rust and edges of sheetmetal that aren't pretty and consider this poorly built, but I think you'd change your mind if you saw it in person. It came out pretty darn well except for pretty paint and I have absolutely no issues with how I put it together. It won't win any awards but it'll keep me MUCH safer and looks pretty decent to boot even if I do say so myself! I'm not afraid of opinions, but yours could be made with a bit more tact.

For everyone else, here are some more pics that might help to clear up any confusion. My goal for the hitch was threefold; to use it as a hitch if ever needed, to take the place of a rear crossmember since the tank sticks out farther than the frame rails, and to act as protection in the event of a rear end collision. I'm really not worried that it'll collapse in the event of a collision because it's pretty strong and since it's welded in, it'll hold better than bolts. Down the road, I intend to make it pretty along with the rest of the truck.

PS. Aaron, I didn't fix the vibration yet-I'll start into it next week

[msgross]

I would get your hitch insert and see where you can relocate the hole inward. That will take out a shin in a heartbeat....you could notch your license plate!

[poorboy]

When I had my 67 I made my own hidden hitch as well. Is it poss to shorten it up just at tad? I made a plate that went into the hitch for my license plate. When I needed to tow I would pull the pin and take the plate off and put the ball on.

[Brad]

68GMC454, the 25 gal tank takes up every bit of room and there's definately no more room for a bigger tank unless you built it around the frame and under the bed and extended it and....

Poorboy, that's a great idea-one that I'll consider. To answer your question, I mentioned earlier that I think I can take off 3-4" but I need to get a receiver tube to make sure before I cut.