Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ?

I installed a hitch on my 96 XJ in about 2 hours. The hardest part was removing the rear bumper to expose the open ends of the frame rails. The kit I bought had threaded mounting plates that slide down inside the frame rails and line up with slots in the rails. You can then bolt the hitch drawbar to the frame rails into the threaded plates. I bought a Class 2 receiver hitch but they have Class 3 also; I think I paid about $130 for the kit. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ

Check www.jcwhitney.com for the class III Hidden Hitch. That's where I got mine. It was $100 and it took about 45 minutes to install. No need to remove the bumper. 5K lb. towing capacity and it is tucked up out of the way.

 

Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ

after removin the rear bumper its just a few of grade 8 bolts on each frame rail.

 

Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ

where did u find one for $100, i was lookin and only found a class III for 119

 

Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ

I just installed a tow hitch, gas tank skid and park neutral start switch and front tow hooks on my '92. All parts were OEM salvaged from a '96 Limited. Got the whole lot for $230.
Hitch install is not difficult but if you're lucky enough to find an OEM unit, installation will require removal of the rear bumper.
Hoppy makes an inexpensive "no cut or splice" 4 pin connector for the XJ. Installation is a very simple DiY

 

Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ

[ QUOTE ]
Check www.jcwhitney.com for the class III Hidden Hitch. That's where I got mine. It was $100 and it took about 45 minutes to install. No need to remove the bumper. 5K lb. towing capacity and it is tucked up out of the way.

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how does it work not having to remove the bumper? i ask this because every year I do up a vehicle (this year my Cherokee) with christmas lights (over 1000 lights this year, will post pics later). anyway, it would be a bitch removing the rear bumper as there are a lot of lights connected to it. also, will it get in the way when off-roading? as soon as christmas is over my 4.5" lift and 33's will be installed.
thanks
ps - anyone know how much a stock XJ alternator puts out and how much it might cost to have respooled or have a new one w/ higher output put in? I have the lights running through a 400 watt power inverter and the voltage drop significantly (almost less than 12) with the lights on.

 

Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Check www.jcwhitney.com for the class III Hidden Hitch. That's where I got mine. It was $100 and it took about 45 minutes to install. No need to remove the bumper. 5K lb. towing capacity and it is tucked up out of the way.

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how does it work not having to remove the bumper?

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It tucks up around the fuel tank and bolts directly to the frame. You have to loosen the fuel tank skid plate first and then it slides right in. Oh and as for the lights...Every year I mount a lighted wreath to the front of my rig on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I'll post a pic after I put it on this year.

 

Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ

any idea what the stock alternator puts out, and at idle?

 

Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ

The reason he did not have to remove the bumper is that his XJ (with the gas tank skid plate) already has the nuts in the uniframe rail.

 

Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ?

IF !!! You have auto trans, add cooler,,,if stock radiator be prepared to replace...depends on the weight you will pull.

 

Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ?

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IF !!! You have auto trans, add cooler,,,if stock radiator be prepared to replace...depends on the weight you will pull.

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Really, would someone get me a time machine then please, cause I have to go back in time to this summer and replace my stock closed loop system radiator that gave me absolutly NO trouble while I pulled that 4,700lb CherokeeLight camper trailer 200 miles up and down low rolling hills on the swealtering 95 degree 80% humidty July day that I went camping with the family this past summer.
Not to say someone who hasn't maintained there cooling system won't have trouble, but so long as the cooling system is in good repair and has been taken care of, it works just fine and I have witness's to prove it.
Granted, I also DO NOT recomend that you attempt the same, if you are broke down beside the road because you attempted sumtin you are not fully prepared for thats your fault not mine /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

Re: what\'s involved in installing a hitch on an XJ?

I got a class 3 hitch from a company called Weaver Distributing in Pa. The hitch is a Putnam; cost $111.00. I don't remmeber if they charged for shipping.

This is the 2nd hitch I have installed on an XJ; the first was my 85 (I installed a Reese) and most recently the Putnam on my 00. I did not have to remove the bumper for either. The 85 did have the nut strips already installed in the frame which made it a simple bolt on job. The 00 had a nut strip on the passenger side but not on the driver side. The hitch hardware came with a wire for fishing bolts through the frame and bringing them down in exsisting holes so nothing had to be drilled.