Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

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Phils67
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Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Phils67 »

I have a 67 j2000. Cant seem to source a bolt on hitch worthy of extreme use. I work for a trailer dealer and went through every single hitch we have (a shipping container full) and NONE will fit. Now im designing my own, and much like everything, it will be ridiculously overkill once i begin. So my question to you people is this, are there ANY direct bolt on hitches for early trucks and if so what is the part number and/or fitament? If i can order one in stock itll be cheap and easy. If i build this thing itll be capable of dragging the statue of liberty closer to shore. Before i invest in hefty chunks of plate and square stock let me hear what you guys with early pickups have done and pics are always helpful. My frame measures 44.5 outside to outside. Im looking to haul up to 10k or really any damn thing i want to. My rear springs are no longer post mounted on the shackle end because i did the 88-98 gm style swap, so furthest rear end clearance of flat frame to the shackle bracket is 5.25" since the bracket hangs lower than the frame. I can go further beyond that providing it doesnt come up the outside of the frame more than 5.25. Suggestions before i drop coin on beefy plate and spend time plasma cutting and welding things?
Last edited by Phils67 on Wed Jun 06, 2018 3:49 am, edited 1 time in total.
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Stuka
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Stuka »

BJ's Offroad does still sell the Dozer bumpers for J-Trucks as I recall. I own the very first prototype. Its beefy, has frame tie ins, and I have never had an issue with it.

But otherwise, yeah. J-Truck frames are super wide in back, and nothing else made comes close to fitting.
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Pevious Jeeps: 1981 J10, 1975 Cherokee, 2008 JK, 2005 KJ, 1989 XJ
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Phils67 »

I like the Dozer bumper but i am determined to find an original step bumper. The only hitches that are the correct width i found are 03-07 k2500 and 08 nissan titan but the side plates on both taper upward as they travel the bottom side of the frame and early trucks stayed flat so they wouldnt work without mod. If i have to modify it i may as well just build my own
Last edited by Phils67 on Thu Jun 07, 2018 3:43 am, edited 1 time in total.
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.

rocklaurence
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by rocklaurence »

My J10/J20 hitch mounts to the frame at 42" on center of the frame rails. I do know that the post plates interfier with the brakets. I had a customer modify my hitch to fit his '75 truck. I wouldn't be able to gaurantie that my hitch would fit your application due to the year and the modified rear suspension.
Good luck
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Phils67 »

Just acquired the steel so this project is going to start happening. 1/2" thick side plates, 2.5" square cross tube and reciever with 1/4 wall. Mounting with eight 1/2 gr8 bolts
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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HowardT64
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by HowardT64 »

Wish I had a welder and the stock to make a nice bumper for the rear of my Jeep....it would hold my Jerry cans, spare tire and Whip ant for the two way :)
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Phils67 »

Im not building a bumper, just the hitch. But yes, having good welders at my disposal is definitly nice
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Phils67 »

Well the 1/2" was just way too much to work with for this so i went with 1/4" side plates. Still turned out really nice. Paints drying as we speak. Hopefully i measured correctly
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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yz400e
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by yz400e »

Hey,
I think some pictures would be appreciated :)

When I first saw your post I looked for this photo as I thought you may get some ideas on what to or not to do...depending on your requirements

I'm not saying this is necessarily a good design but it is what was on my J10 when I bought it. The PO had also installed trailer brakes so he was probably towing a heavy camper trailer. I am assuming the design was to help distribute the load. I just know the long center piece and cross piece was in the way..plus it weighs at least 50 lbs.


Image
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Phils67 »

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/j ... ghuk0b.jpg

Here is a pic before paint. I color matched it to my truck. Rustoleum Hunter Green. I will put up a painted pic later when i get home from work. A trailer brake controller is in the future plans, going to go with the Tekonsha Prodigy P3. They are awesome units. It will be wired with a 7 way RV style and a 4 flat at minimum. I like having options. Probably going to buy a Rapid Hitch as well. Saw a cool version that was a pintle,2" and 2 5/16" all in one
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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yz400e
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by yz400e »

nice looking hitch. much more sensible than the monster I pulled off my truck. the more I think of it, it must be closer to 75 lbs.
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Phils67
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Phils67 »

http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/j ... hceskl.jpg
Final product, in paint and ready to get bolted up :D
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.

SJTD
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by SJTD »

How thick is the tubing?
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'84 GW with Nissan SD33T, early Chev NV4500, 300, narrowed Ford reverse 44, narrowed Ford 60, SOA/reversed shackle in fornt, lowered mount/flipped shackle in rear.
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Kaiserman »

Looks great. That's a very nice design. Side plates look nice. But (and I only mention this because I know your looking for a factory step bumper) the part of the side plates that will catch the two bolt holes in the side of the frame will be in the way of stock bumper brackets. They use those two same holes.
1971 J2500 Gladiator Custom-Cab Platform Stake on 126" wb. B350/T18A/D20 D60/D60-3 w/locker 4.10's Ramsey 8klb PTO winch, Day-brook dump. 225/95R16's
1969 J3800 Gladiator 3407Z Camper Truck. B350/T18A/D20 D44/D60-3 w/4.10's
1968 Wagoneer Custom 327/TH400 Mostly Stock
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Phils67 »

SJTD wrote:How thick is the tubing?
3/8 wall
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Phils67 »

Kaiserman wrote:Looks great. That's a very nice design. Side plates look nice. But (and I only mention this because I know your looking for a factory step bumper) the part of the side plates that will catch the two bolt holes in the side of the frame will be in the way of stock bumper brackets. They use those two same holes.
I will have to figure that part out once i source one of those elusive bumpers
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.

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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by SJTD »

Didn't look that heavy in the picher. Looks a very similar to the one that came on my '84 Wag.

It also has a brace inside the frame. Piece of 1/4"ish wall angle bolted to the vertical web with 1" thick spacers between it and the lower flange where the mount bolts up.
Sic friatur crustulum

'84 GW with Nissan SD33T, early Chev NV4500, 300, narrowed Ford reverse 44, narrowed Ford 60, SOA/reversed shackle in fornt, lowered mount/flipped shackle in rear.
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Phils67 »

Doesnt matter. My measurements were off (damn you anheuiser!). I will need to move the center section over and also tweak the side plates. Looks pretty in pics. Looks like ass while in place. Should have it back in shape tomorrow and ready to start working this weekend. Obsoletion of parts is stupid
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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Re: Designing my own hitch...someone stop me!

Post by Phils67 »

Got everything adjusted and rewelded. Repainted it and bolted it up with eight gr8 bolts. Final pic before i wire it. I couldnt be happier with the finished product. Dont mind my twisted rear crossmember. That is what provoked me to build the hitch. Apparently it wasnt strong enough to pull a tree out lol
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d32/j ... akar54.jpg
1967 Gladiator J2000, 1998 4.0L OBD2, T18, D20 twin sticks, D44HD/D60, Detroit lockers, 3.73s, 4wheel disc brake, FSSR, Dakota digital, etc.
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