Hitch / Weld Experts!

I bought this XJ a few years ago. I'm finally getting around to doing some work on it, and might plan to try and tow a boat later this year behind it.

I didn't notice it when I bought it (wasn't an expert on XJ's), but it appears that the previous owner replaced the original bumper with a step bumper with a step bumper hitch.

I'm trying to find out if I should just removed the hitch and get another one that connects to the frame/unibody like the rusty's hitch. Or, if any of your experts can tell how to figure out how much I can tow with this. I've attached some pictures of the bumper and it's hookup. Any help is greatly appreciated!

Here are some links to pictures of the setup.. some aren't to clear.. but it looks as if the step bumper hitch is bolted to the step bumper (duh), then the bumper has been welded to some sort of bracket, and that bracket is bolted to where the original bumper was?...

http://members.cox.net/woodysxj/assets/pictures/S4300228.jpg

http://members.cox.net/woodysxj/assets/pictures/S4300229.jpg

http://members.cox.net/woodysxj/assets/pictures/S4300230.jpg

http://members.cox.net/woodysxj/assets/pictures/S4300232.jpg

http://members.cox.net/woodysxj/assets/pictures/S4300233.jpg

http://members.cox.net/woodysxj/assets/pictures/S4300235.jpg

http://members.cox.net/woodysxj/assets/pictures/S4300236.jpg

Well I can tell you this much it's illegal to weld trailer hitches on.

That does look a bit scary. What's with the wiring mess? I would seriously consider putting a proper hitch on there before towing anything significant.

I second that. That last thing you need is to loose a trailer on the road. Get a hitch that mounts to the frame. Like a class III. The one below is a mopar one but any brand that you like would work too.
Alex

Perfect! That's exactly the info I needed to know. I'll unbolt that step bumper hitch and get a proper one... Will any class 3 hitch work? I know Napa is selling one right now for $119. It claims there's no drilling or cutting to put it on. Or do I need to get a cherokee specific one?


Lawsoncl - The previous owner towed this behind an RV. I was told that's why the wiring mess. Although I'm not positive. Never took the time to really trace any of em back...

Whatever hitch you get just make sure it will work for a cherokee XJ. Also you will need the nut strips in the frame to bolt it up. You should have one on the passenger side, but you might need one for the driver side. I recommend just two new ones since they could be rusty and it would be hard to get bolts into them. Nut strips are available at the dealerships. Also the hitch kit you get might include some or some other version. I could not say since all kits at different.
Alex

Perfect! Thank you! I'll try and make sure that the hitch works with an XJ (or I'll keep the receipt, and pick up 2 nut strips at the dealer! Thanks a ton!

You should only have to buy one nut strip. There should already be one on the passenger side(the exhaust mount bolts into a nut strip).

The $119 Hitch is for vehicles with a frame, you must get one made for your XJ.

Natural Ice said:

You should only have to buy one nut strip. There should already be one on the passenger side(the exhaust mount bolts into a nut strip).

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Very true, but I had a hard time threading in the bolts for the hitch into the rusty nut strip. Mine was so bad that one of the welded nuts just came off when I started to hand screw in the bolt. You do not have to get two, but in my mind it saves a lot of frustration and time in the long run.
Alex

Leave the bumper it is different. Just remove the bolted on safty hazard, and install a proper hitch to tow with.

2000XJSPORT said:

Very true, but I had a hard time threading in the bolts for the hitch into the rusty nut strip. Mine was so bad that one of the welded nuts just came off when I started to hand screw in the bolt. You do not have to get two, but in my mind it saves a lot of frustration and time in the long run.
Alex

Click to expand...

In addition older XJ's did not come with one. I'm not sure when they started, but I think it was after 95.

2000XJSPORT said:

I second that. That last thing you need is to loose a trailer on the road. Get a hitch that mounts to the frame. Like a class III. The one below is a mopar one but any brand that you like would work too.
Alex

Click to expand...

thats the same exact hitch I have on mine, the only downside to it is the damn cotter pin can be a pain in the arse to get in the hitch pin.

If you're not sure about doing it, take it to U-Haul. They will install it for you, and eat the rust that falls down!

langer1 said:

Well I can tell you this much it's illegal to weld trailer hitches on.

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That doesn't stop people from doing it, you should have seen the ghetto-fabbed thing welded onto the stock bumper on a 77 dodge van I got. What was best was the half rotten block of wood used as a spacer in the middle of it. I didn't even trust myself standing on it.
People do some crazy sh#$.