Heavy Duty's Front Hitch Build

[Heavy Duty]

Hope you all find this useful. Let me start off by saying that I didn't like the existing front hitch options that are on the market because it keeps the winch too low and will mess with approach angle. So, I decided to make my own that would fit within the bumper, giving the truck an OEM appearance. Although this is right where the adaptive cruise radar module is located, I purchased this truck without adaptive cruise with this hitch in mind.

Remove the bumper, trim, skid plate, tow hooks and air diverter that rests behind the bumper.

Make all the details and weld the hitch up.

Cut the air diverter an inch past where it starts to bend down to make room for the hitch.

Put everything back on using the existing hardware.

Enjoy!

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[NotBudule]

Man that's handy ! Can really maneuver boats and trailers around that way too... nice work sir !

 

[Heavy Duty]

Man that's handy ! Can really maneuver boats and trailers around that way too... nice work sir !

Oh no doubt. Possibilities are almost endless. I've had a front hitch on my last four trucks. Use them mostly for winching but the occasional generator mount, cargo carrier or bike rack too. I also haul canoes regularly, having a bow tie down point that will not touch the paint is a plus.

 

[NOVA_Ranger]

I’d buy one of these in a heartbeat. Been looking for one for a while.

 

[Heavy Duty]

I’d buy one of these in a heartbeat. Been looking for one for a while.

I'd consider making a few of them if there's enough interest. If I can get at least five people wanting one that will make the material and manufacturing costs lower. Just making one will be pretty expensive.

 

[Trigganometry]

I'd consider making a few of them if there's enough interest. If I can get at least five people wanting one that will make the material and manufacturing costs lower. Just making one will be pretty expensive.

Start a poll on this thread to glean how much interest there is. I bet more than you think!

 

[RedlandRanger]

If I could find an ACC unit relocation kit that seemed bulletproof, I'd be all over this, but the ones I've seen seem to be kind of hit or miss whether they work or not.

Beautiful design!

 

[Big Blue]

Nice design, one caution though. I would not use it for any heavy or impact pushing, such as snow plowing. With the fasteners in shear any failure will have the hitch go right through your AC coil. Pulling should be fine as it mounts to the tow hooks and is up against the bumper mounting flanges. Not being a nay sayer, just a caution.

 

[D Fresh]

Very nice work sir.

Been considering g visiting a hitch shop to have something fabbed up. Nice to see it can be done.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Nice design, one caution though. I would not use it for any heavy or impact pushing, such as snow plowing. With the fasteners in shear any failure will have the hitch go right through your AC coil. Pulling should be fine as it mounts to the tow hooks and is up against the bumper mounting flanges. Not being a nay sayer, just a caution.

Oh I'm cool with nay-sayers, been doing this long enough to embrace them. I agree, if it were to fail bad things would happen if pushing, however, with the angle of where the hitch mounts, it may be pushing up on the nose of the receiver, taking the vehicle suspension and dynamics in consideration. The bolts may be more of a hybrid shear and tensile moments, properly torqued, this still isn't the weakest link.

Things could get real enginerdy with an FEA but in the end, if some don't like it for that one "what if" I'm ok with that and I appreciate your input.

 

[Heavy Duty]

Start a poll on this thread to glean how much interest there is. I bet more than you think!

Poll is live, thanks for the idea.

 

[D Fresh]

I'd buy one from you. No need for ACC relocation action bracket. I can source that myself.

Watching thread.

 

[NOVA_Ranger]

So, where do I send my money?

 

[OFC Ranger]

Is this venture vaporware or still possible? I have some interest in an unpainted unit.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Is this venture vaporware or still possible? I have some interest in an unpainted unit.

It is certainly not vaporware - I bought one and installed it several months ago. He only made a limited number of them and sold out. I thought he was considering doing another run but I'm not sure. It is as good or better than any "professional" setup. I was very impressed at the quality of it.

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