Front Mount Hitch

[dhcomp]

Front mount hitch

Anyone running a non custom one?

Does anyone make one for our trucks?

I'd love to have a front hitch hidden behind my license place on my stock front bumper. At some point for a winch, but for now, for weaseling boats into wierd places, and for a good solid recovery/tow point. Would also be killer for a bike rack or cargo rack while towing. Ya know, anything to try and decrease the economy and aerodynamics of this white brick

Do the non custom ones mount here, or do i need to build something custom? Really, can't think of an easier welding project for an amateur, hard to NOT make strong welds on square tube.

Anyways, any comments?

I keep thinking i'm going to find a "free" rear hitch on craigslist and modify it, but it seems everyone wants to sell their unused ones for money, whats up with that? haha

 

[RootBreaker]

I keep thinking i'm going to find a "free" rear hitch on craigslist and modify it, but it seems everyone wants to sell their unused ones for money, whats up with that? haha

well free and very cheap work and in hand.. I bought a rear mount hitch for a chevy from a yardsale for like $20.... anyway.. I mounted it up.. hangs too low.. but going to grind off the welds.. unbolt it (3 bolts on each side) move it where I want it... rebolt and weld....

 

[dhcomp]

well free and very cheap work and in hand.. I bought a rear mount hitch for a chevy from a yardsale for like $20.... anyway.. I mounted it up.. hangs too low.. but going to grind off the welds.. unbolt it (3 bolts on each side) move it where I want it... rebolt and weld....

I'm confused? I'm wanting a front mount

 

[dremu]

Warn makes one for the 81-87/91 body style. Direct bolt up and everything. I put one on my M1009. I can prolly dig up the part # on request.

-- A

 

[dhcomp]

Warn makes one for the 81-87/91 body style. Direct bolt up and everything. I put one on my M1009. I can prolly dig up the part # on request.

-- A

Hm, didn't check there. THANKS!

 

[4X4HIGH]

Warn's part number for the front hitch is....1987-1991 BLAZER #25855

 

[b454rat]

I'd like to see a front mount receiver as well if anyone has any pics...

 

[dremu]

I'd like to see a front mount receiver as well if anyone has any pics...

The aforementioned Warn one on my M1009. It was a bolt-up on my 1990 Suburban before that; the drill is just 'cuz the CUCV has extra stuff for the shackle mounts.

-- A

 

[dremu]

Putting one *behind* the license plate would be a pain. You'd have to make a spring flip setup for the plate, and cut the bumper ... plus access the hitch pin would be a royal pain... and the height might be wrong, especially if your truck is lifted at all.

This one put it right *under* the bumper & plate, so it's hardly noticeable, and just about the right height. Mighta been a bit tall with those 33"s, I forget.

-- A

 

[4X4HIGH]

Aaron, do you still have this hitch on something you own? The reason i ask is i was wanting to have a front hitch as well and was going to incorporate one with my front bumper build but decided not to and IF this one would clear my front bumper i may find a way to either build or buy one.

 

[b454rat]

I like those, makes it easy for tow/recovery points, front/rear winch, and a step to work on the engine too!!

How different are these compared to a rear hitch??

 

[dremu]

Aaron, do you still have this hitch on something you own? The reason i ask is i was wanting to have a front hitch as well and was going to incorporate one with my front bumper build but decided not to and IF this one would clear my front bumper i may find a way to either build or buy one.

Nah, it went with the truck, since I have no more 1981+ trucks.

'Sides, you could just cut a hole and weld in a prefab receiver tube.

-- A

 

[dremu]

I like those, makes it easy for tow/recovery points, front/rear winch, and a step to work on the engine too!!

How different are these compared to a rear hitch??

They point the wrong way

-- A

 

[Big Blzn]

I did a custom jobby. Here is mine I made for the front of my '72. Stout as fock and mostly hidden 'cept for the shackle.

 

[Richcz28]

The aforementioned Warn one on my M1009. It was a bolt-up on my 1990 Suburban before that; the drill is just 'cuz the CUCV has extra stuff for the shackle mounts.

-- A

I'm digging this up, because i think most of you guys are still around and it seemed the right place to get some questions answered.

I just purchased the same warn front winch setup but I have 2 problems.

1. My frame rails are spread wider than the length of the hitch. My frame rails measure 28 inches to the outside and the hitch measures 26 3/4, This obviously leaves me with a large gap.

2. The hitch hits my factory body mount rivets. I can fix this with some grinding, but not super cool for a 200$ item.


edit: Called warn and they said 26 3/4 is the measurement of the correct part.

 

[dremu]

I'm digging this up, because i think most of you guys are still around and it seemed the right place to get some questions answered.

I just purchased the same warn front winch setup but I have 2 problems.

1. My frame rails are spread wider than the length of the hitch. My frame rails measure 28 inches to the outside and the hitch measures 26 3/4, This obviously leaves me with a large gap.

2. The hitch hits my factory body mount rivets. I can fix this with some grinding, but not super cool for a 200$ item.

For #2, yeah, I think will have to be. There is some variation in these trucks over the decade or so involved and the many models (Blazer, Suburban, pickups.)

#1 is more troublesome. I mean, sure, you can easily enough use flat stock along the side, drill holes and bolt it up... but it shouldn't be THAT off. You'd need like two pieces of 1/4" on each side, and that's ... a lot.

Does your bumper fit right? I ask because I don't have an '81+ truck to measure any more, so I wonder if your truck was in an accident at some point and the frame is borked.

If it was just 1/4" or so, I'd say to bolt it up and drag the frame in, but you're talking about an inch or more, so something's not right.

-- A

 

[Richcz28]

My frame looks straight and my bumper and brush guard are both in real nice shape. I have about a 3/8s gap. The 28 inch measurement is the outside frame rail measurement. Should I be afraid to pull that distance in with bolts?

 

[sweetk30]

if all your bumper / grill guard bolts up / lines up fine now . then DO NOT pull the frame in to match it. as it will be all out of alignment on the holes to reinstall the bumper and grill guard.

I would make a few filler plates real easy to take up the gap .

or send this thread to warn tech for them to look at.

and why warn is selling it at that spec is crazy to me . check my 2wd frame rail pic . I installed my bumper and brackets with no problems of hole fitment of holes being off. and was all o.e parts. 27 3/4 wide to get brackets on outside and make 28" wide and all line up.

 

[Richcz28]

The 4wd frame rails (at least mine) have a reinforcement plate on the inside of the frame on each side that the front body mounts are attached to. Your frame rails are a 1/4 closer than mine. Seems there is quite a bit of variation. I don't have any problem making a plate. I will be drilling extra holes to get my shackles to line up anyways.

 

[sweetk30]

reinforcement plates at front are for tow hook equipped or cucv shackle points.

and my frame was this wide before I fixed it

bent out / cracked / twisted off 90* to square 4.8*

all good now tho . its all in my 2wd build thread.