onlyinajeep726 Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Does anybody have any insight or experience removing the factory, integrated trailer hitch from an '88 XJ? It's the kind that bolts to the rear bumper, in addition to the frame rails (see below). I want to put a standard 2" Reese hitch and use a drop shank to accommodate my lift, but I'm kind of stumped on how to remove this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellaheep Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Um...... you remove the bolts holding it on? :dunno: What's it look like from underneath? Can't tell from the pic what's got you stumped. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted July 18, 2014 Author Share Posted July 18, 2014 Well duh.... hahaha.I'll take some better pictures tomorrow... I'm about to head to work till late.I guess the biggest thing I'm concerned about is having to remove the rear bumper. That would be a PITA considering the tire carrier. Also, there appears to be a few unibody tie-in brackets that look rather difficult to get to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yellaheep Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 A blue tipped wrench should make short work of the removal of said hitch. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 18, 2014 Share Posted July 18, 2014 Also, there appears to be a few unibody tie-in brackets that look rather difficult to get to. Those should be nutstrips that slide into the unibody frame strut. At least that's how the factory hitch was mounted on an XJ that I used to have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dankicksass Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Last XJ hitch I put on used two bolts per side straight up from the bottom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 This is how the factory XJ hitch mounts. #2 are the nutstrips I referred to in my previous post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mvusse Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 Those same nut strips are used for the factory gas tank skid plate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wiggilez Posted July 19, 2014 Share Posted July 19, 2014 were they all bolted in from the factory, because the one on my 90 parts XJ appearers to be welded to the subframe? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dankicksass Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 were they all bolted in from the factory, because the one on my 90 parts XJ appearers to be welded to the subframe? That doesn't sound factory. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Automan2164 Posted July 20, 2014 Share Posted July 20, 2014 You are going to have to remove the rear bumper to put nut strips in anyway. There is a nut strip on the RH side for the exhaust brackets, but nothing on the left unless you have a factory tank skid. Nut strips go in from the back. Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 Got it removed today. Went fairly smooth, other than having to cut off one bolt and running to the parts store to purchase a T-55 torx drive. Getting ready to install this Class II receiver I pulled off of another XJ. Freshly painted and ready to go. Just need to find or make some nut strips... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 http://www.quadratec.com/products/72016_8101.htm Left side: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted July 24, 2014 Author Share Posted July 24, 2014 I guess I can't make my own very easily... What's up with all those funky bends? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fatboyadams Posted July 24, 2014 Share Posted July 24, 2014 I guess I can't make my own very easily... What's up with all those funky bends?To follow the lines of the unibody rails. I got mine from JCR. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 Was looking at the JCR ones, but $50 after shipping is a bit steep for a strip of metal with some nuts welded on... Although, I don't have a metal bender, so making some of my own is likely out of the question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 When I put a new Hidden hitch on my 99 xj the hitch was bolted on with bolts and large square spacers for reinforcement . The kit came with peices of mechanics wire that the bolts threaded onto so the wire could be fed into the frame holes , pulled through and nuts and lock washers were used on the bottom . Iirc there were 4 on each side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 Yea, I saw those too. Upon further research, I decided against that method based on people having them rip through the frame rail. Nut strips spread the force of the load more evenly. Plus, no fishing of bolts. Just shove your nuts in and screw it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Yea, I saw those too. Upon further research, I decided against that method based on people having them rip through the frame rail. Nut strips spread the force of the load more evenly. Plus, no fishing of bolts. Just shove your nuts in and screw it. Very true. Do it right. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Strokermjcomanche Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Oh ok . The kit came with the square washers when I bought the hitch new . Not saying the strips aren't better but I've towed 4 quads at a time ,vehicles etc.. with no problem . I'm wondering if the've ever been sued for the spacers ripping through the frame? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 I'm wondering if the've ever been sued for the spacers ripping through the frame? I'd be interested in knowing that too. I guess I'll have to suck it up and buy the JCR ones and call it done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 I just found the pair of Crown Automotive ones on Amazon with free shipping for ~$33.Does anyone know the size and thread pitch of the bolts I need? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted July 25, 2014 Share Posted July 25, 2014 Factory is M12x1.75 x 40. Should be the same with the Crown strips. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
onlyinajeep726 Posted July 25, 2014 Author Share Posted July 25, 2014 Factory is M12x1.75 x 40. Should be the same with the Crown strips. Thanks Don, you've been a great help. :cheers: :bowdown: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted July 28, 2014 Share Posted July 28, 2014 Also, there appears to be a few unibody tie-in brackets that look rather difficult to get to. Those should be nutstrips that slide into the unibody frame strut. At least that's how the factory hitch was mounted on an XJ that I used to have. That's correct. Each frame rail has a metal strip inside with nuts welded onto it. The bolts go up through the hitch and into the nut strips. On my '88 there were also two (I think) torx bolts through the bumper. They went to a separate bracket that was easy to unbolt. Part #15 in the diagram is the mount for the rear exhaust hanger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now