Hitch Bench 1.0

[barimpact]

Hey everyone! I got a lot if interest in the Hitch Bench that I built in my quarantine boredom both on and offline so I decided to make a quick write-up. I did this with a back seat out of a 99 XJ, a 2" hitch, some angle iron (about 12 feet), a single bolt and nut, 4.5" angle grinder, and a cheap flux core mig welder (Lincoln Electric for those that are curious). 

 

First step, cut the brackets off the front bottom of the bench seat that attaches the bench bottom to the XJ (the latch and the pin part). I used a hammer to flatten these brackets to make things easier to line up.

 

Next, pull the seat fabric back and grind the paint off the steel piece of the seat bottom and weld a beam across the length of the seat.

 

 

Next, I welded 2 pieces to a hitch to set the distance from the receiver on the truck. In my advice, make it a little further from the tailgate than you might think you need it, mine is 3-6 inches too close to the truck to call it perfect.

 

 

 

Once you get this far, put it in the truck and test the distance! Make sure it's where you want it before continuing on. Like I said before, mine is closer to the tailgate than I wish it was.

 

 

Next up, add some support to the structure so people can actually sit on it. The thickness of the steel will determine the amount of structure you need to add.

 

For me the structure above was sufficient, but I would add a full boxed perimeter around the bottom of the seat on Hitch Bench 2.0. 

Once this is complete, add some tabs from the structure to the back of the seat and weld on those brackets we cut off in step one to make a convenient removable back for the bench.

 

On the opposite side where the latch is, weld a bolt to the seat back so it will clip into the bracket. If your pieces are a little too far apart (like mine were), weld a nut to the seat back to extend the hole that the post sits in.

 

 

As long as you don't care about the seat back resting on your tailgate (like in my case where the truck is nowhere near perfect), you're done! If you do care about your tailgate, I would either add a stopper for the seat back or add a thick foam piece to the seat back to hold it against the tailgate. 

 

These are perfect for drive in movies, bonfires, garage seats, extra transportation on the farm (low speed only of course), using friends as backup sensors, parade seats, and more! Best of all, it's easily removable and works perfect on the ground too so I keep it in my shop for guests.

 

 

Let me know what your wacky quarantine projects are below! 

[barimpact]

Oh and one more thing: besides the tools and the bench seat (I had the bench laying around from a part out Jeep), the hitch, hitch pin, and steel all together was $50 at Lowe's.

[Pete M]

nice!  I love it!   

[500 MJ]

That is pretty cool. Thanks for sharing! 

[MiNi Beast]

Interesting. I just fold tailgate down and sit on it. 

[Drahcir495]

That is so cool 👍🏻

[Dzimm]

2 hours ago, MiNi Beast said:

Interesting. I just fold tailgate down and sit on it. 

What if you had no tailgate?  Or wanted something comfortable to sit on while tailgating, drive-in movie, little leage ballgame, BBQ, bonfire, taking a break while working on a project/the farm, for something to work on during quarantine, because it's cool, ECT.  There is a million reasons for something like this.

 

Awesome project barimpact, thanks for sharing. 

[MiNi Beast]

21 minutes ago, Dzimm said:

What if you had no tailgate?  Or wanted something comfortable to sit on while tailgating, drive-in movie, little leage ballgame, BBQ, bonfire, taking a break while working on a project/the farm, for something to work on during quarantine, because it's cool, ECT.  There is a million reasons for something like this.

 

Awesome project barimpact, thanks for sharing. 

So what are you implying? 🤔 

[Dzimm]

1 minute ago, MiNi Beast said:

So what are you implying? 🤔 

That some people want something more comfortable to sit on than the tailgate.  

 

Lighten up, to each their own.  Enjoy it for what it is.  

[MiNi Beast]

no kiddy willis. If i get any lighter i just might fly away to never never land ace. 

[Pete M]

some of us that drive around in KJs now regret throwing out that free XJ rear seat...  

[JustEmptyEveryPocket]

This project has been put on my To Do List, because its awesome. 

 

I often sit on my tailgate, but wish for a back rest and padding. And here is the solution. Thanks for putting it up here!

[thecodemonk]

This is going to happen this year for me.  July 4th is just around the corner and just one town over lights up fireworks EVERYWHERE.  I usually just go there and watch from the pickup bed.  This year, I'll be sitting in comfort. :)