Is anyone aware of a front-mount tow hitch for the Ranger yet?

[Mike in UT]

would something like this work? I am looking for a front receiver mount.

Truck and SUV Front Mounts for Pickup Trucks and SUVs (agricover.com)

My ONLY concern is that appears to be for mounting a snow blade or such like. I could be wrong, but it might not be able to handle the stresses of a winch pulling a fully-loaded truck, which would be a pulling load as opposed to a pushing load like one would get plowing snow.

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[RedlandRanger]

Factory tow hooks went right back on without any alterations. You may be able to see in the one picture that the hitch manufacturer knew the tow hook has that little finger coming off on the back side, there is a hole for it on the hitch brackets. They definitely measured a Ranger like mine when they designed it.

I locked a cheap pumpkin protector (not sure what its actually called) in the receiver just to have something in it when not in use.

I did some more searching and they actually have two videos on installation which show how it goes in really well:

FX4 Installation (you have to replace the stock FX4 Skid Plate):


Non FX4:


I'm a bit on the fence on this now. It looks like it would be strong enough for a front winch mount (assuming you aren't hard core), but I'm not really wanting to replace the FX4 skid plate. The replacement skid plate seems quite a bit smaller than the FX4 one.

Anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Isuzu elf would be better]

Is the FX4 skid plate thicker or just more surface area? With the hitch added in the front doesn't that square bar give you a nice brace and warning to some of the things that would've beat even a larger skid plate up?

It seems if you had to use the 4x4 skid plate that you could alter it with a FX4 plate welded to it (cut to fit) or just add to the 4x4 plate as it is.

 

[Mustang2Ranger]

I am also on the fence now after watching the video

I like the look and fit of the factory plate

I wonder where to get the replacement skid or if it comes with the hitch

 

[RedlandRanger]

I am also on the fence now after watching the video

I like the look and fit of the factory plate

I wonder where to get the replacement skid or if it comes with the hitch

It would appear the replacement skid plate comes with it as the price is a bit more for FX4.

$157 for non FX4
$214 for FX4

 

[RedlandRanger]

Is the FX4 skid plate thicker or just more surface area? With the hitch added in the front doesn't that square bar give you a nice brace and warning to some of the things that would've beat even a larger skid plate up?

It seems if you had to use the 4x4 skid plate that you could alter it with a FX4 plate welded to it (cut to fit) or just add to the 4x4 plate as it is.

The FX4 skid plate is significantly larger than the one included with the kit.

I guess my biggest concern is probably the edges where the replacement plate is smaller - it won't protect the suspension as well I don't think. If you watch the FX4 specific video you can see the size difference on the plates - it is rather significant.

 

[Mike in UT]

The FX4 skid plate is significantly larger than the one included with the kit.

I guess my biggest concern is probably the edges where the replacement plate is smaller - it won't protect the suspension as well I don't think. If you watch the FX4 specific video you can see the size difference on the plates - it is rather significant.

I would GUESS that one could buy the non-FX4 mount, and then alter the FX4 skid plate to fit. I mean, angle grinders aren't that expensive.

 

[RedlandRanger]

I would GUESS that one could buy the non-FX4 mount, and then alter the FX4 skid plate to fit. I mean, angle grinders aren't that expensive.

If I decide to go this route that is probably what I will do - I'm just afraid what my skid plate will look like when I'm done.

 

[Travis9935]

Do you lose any ground clearance with this?

 

[Mike in UT]

Do you lose any ground clearance with this?

don't know. Haven't tried it.

 

[mark_anderson_us]

I did some more searching and they actually have two videos on installation which show how it goes in really well:

FX4 Installation (you have to replace the stock FX4 Skid Plate):


Non FX4:


I'm a bit on the fence on this now. It looks like it would be strong enough for a front winch mount (assuming you aren't hard core), but I'm not really wanting to replace the FX4 skid plate. The replacement skid plate seems quite a bit smaller than the FX4 one.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Anyone done this on an FX4 and kept the factory skid plate?

 

[Bel-Biv]

Do you lose any ground clearance with this?

don't know. Haven't tried it.

Probably impacts approach angle more than outright clearance.

 

[Mike in UT]

still looking for something.
Also a thread here:
https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/bizon-snowplow-and-front-hitch-mount.5138/

 

[D Fresh]

Looking at this again I have some thoughts.

Do you guys think it could be flipped over? If there's room between the rails you might be able to mount it upside down, cutting a hole in the lower valence for the reciever. This would keep everything tucked up into the truck, eliminating impact to approach angle and allowing the FX-4 skidplate to be retained.

 

[Bel-Biv]

Looking at this again I have some thoughts.

Do you guys think it could be flipped over? If there's room between the rails you might be able to mount it upside down, cutting a hole in the lower valence for the reciever. This would keep everything tucked up into the truck, eliminating impact to approach angle and allowing the FX-4 skidplate to be retained.

Worth looking into.
I'm planning on getting this (and snowsport plow) and will let you know if doable.
Not an imminent purchase, but on the books - fwiw

EDIT: typos

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