Front mount reciever hitch

[ericpost]

Any one have some details on how to get this done? I'm heading to the junk yard and was going to pickup 2 receiver hitches. The rear one seems pretty straight forward cause I can just get one made for the truck but the front seems a bit more complicated. I plan to use it for a winch and tow point.

For starters what hitch is a good start?

I'm plan to have the receiver poking thru the bumper.
I also was thinking of welding in some 3/8 flat stock to the frame prior to mounting the hitch for strength.
Anything else I should be concerned about?
Anyone got pictures?

[johnnywagon]

Here's a few pix of my home-made set up. You can buy the straight receiver tube at any trailer parts joint.

Keep in mind that my rig is little different because I added a new front crossmember and cut off and raised the frame horns so my bumper would line up with the body with the 3" body lift.

[vtblazer]

This is on the one I just recently picked up, not my work nor would I ever run one.

No offense meant to those who do, just doesn't work for me.

[ericpost]

So here is what I got.

Bought a complete drawtight hitch in great condition for $15 at a yard sale the other day, even got a like new 2" ball!

I'll cut it down to the right length and I plan to weld 3X6X3/8 flat stock to the ends. It looks like the hitch will be mounted towards the front end of the flat stock so I get the right exposure out the bumper.

My frame horns were cut off by the PO and I have already fab'd a bracket for the bumper which slides to the OUTSIDE of the frame and bolts to holes which were drilled in the frame by the PO.

I plan to re-enforce the INSIDE of the frame by welding in a piece of 4X2 angle iron which is 6" long and 1/4" thick. I picked 6" because I wanted maximum length without covering the rivets of the spring hanger/body mount.

I'll then bolt in the hitch to the re-enforced frame area. I hope to re-use the holes which hold my bumper on.. we'll see how lucky I am.

Last is to tie the hitch to the frame and to the cross member with a couple of pieces of 1" square tubing which is 1/8 thick for just a little extra strength and to brace the steering box area as well.

I have most of the steel laying around so this should be pretty low budget.

Should be done this weekend (that usually means 2 weeks) I'll post a few pictures when I'm done.