xj reese hitch

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ChrisMcInerney

NAXJA Forum User

Location

North Carolina

• Dec 28, 2009

• #1

Im installing a class 3 hitch on a 2000 xj sport 4.0l . if we put it on like the instructions say to and torque it down, it well bent the flange on the frame. it has spacers included in the kit but does not say to use them.

any help?
do I put the spacers in

 

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MrClean

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Chandler, AZ

• Dec 28, 2009

• #2

I'm not sure on the spacer thing. However, is it the bolt-together one like they sell at Wally World and such? If so, you may want to weld it where it slips together too.. Ask me how I know

 

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ChrisMcInerney

NAXJA Forum User

Location

North Carolina

• Dec 28, 2009

• #3

http://shop.advanceautoparts.com/we...UE3-_-VALUE4&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=6400050-P


thats the one. it the brackets that dont fit.

heres some pictures showing that it doesnt fit without sitting on the flange

without bracket
http://www.duke.edu/~michaelm/JeepHitch/H1.jpg

with bracket
http://www.duke.edu/~michaelm/JeepHitch/H2.jpg

close up on the problem(the overlap)
http://www.duke.edu/~michaelm/JeepHitch/H3.jpg

 

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MrClean

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Chandler, AZ

• Dec 28, 2009

• #4

By bending the flange, do you mean the lip at the back of the "frame" rail? If so, I'd just mount it up and torque it down. I wouldn't use the spacers if it doesn't say to for your XJ. Those hitches fit numerous vehicles, so it includes ALOT of extra stuff. The one I used was installed on my ZJ. The mounting is almost identical. Just make sure before you snug it up, that the brackets are mounted the right way, and the holes line up on the slides.

 

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ChrisMcInerney

NAXJA Forum User

Location

North Carolina

• Dec 28, 2009

• #5

and the frame be weakend by this?

 

srmitchell

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Mckinleyville (Humboldt) CA

• Dec 28, 2009

• #6

I ran into the same prob with my rear aftermarket bumper. I ended up just torquing it down, and it sandwiched the little lip. You could just cut little slits to make it bend better.

 

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ChrisMcInerney

NAXJA Forum User

Location

North Carolina

• Dec 28, 2009

• #7

Will it weaken the frame if I just torque it down?

 

Tim_MN

Freakish Hand Strength

NAXJA Member

Location

Minneapolis, MN

• Dec 28, 2009

• #8

Once installed, you will discover that your Reese one-size-fits-many-vehicles hitch will hang down far enough to plow local corn fields.

For the same amount of money you can get a fully welded, XJ specific tow hitch, that tucks up right underneath the bumper and fits perfectly onto the frame rails. Draw-Tite, U-Haul, Hidden Hitch, Valley, and Curt all make custom fit XJ hitches.

 

Last edited: Dec 28, 2009

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MrClean

NAXJA Forum User

Location

Chandler, AZ

• Dec 28, 2009

• #9

It won't weaken the frame. But yes, it will hang pretty low. Have you tried Craigslist or a JY to try to find an XJ-specific hitch? They can usually be had used pretty cheap.

 

Last edited: Dec 28, 2009

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ChrisMcInerney

NAXJA Forum User

Location

North Carolina

• Dec 28, 2009

• #10

thanks for all the information the hitch will be back in advance autos custody tomorrow