UPDATE ON 2019 FORD RANGER STEP BUMPER TRAILER BALL PROBLEM

[Stewart Long]

A couple of weeks ago I posted that I have a 2019 FORD RANGER XL and having a problem with having a long enough shank to mount a 1-7/8" trailer ball on their stock step bumper and couldn't get any answer from the dealership or from FORD as to what they were thinking and how to solve it.
Well with the help of my good hot rod friend of mine in Niagara Falls Canada we put together a solution and I think it is going to work.
I am submitting this with a link to pictures which you may have to copy and GOOGLE it to get it to work.
Again this is just what I did and you may have something far better but have at it, because there's not many answers out there.
Hope this helps.

STEP 1​

FROM ETRAILER.COM

​

STEP 1 ORDER THIS

1-7/8” Hitch Ball with Internal Thread – ¾” Diameter x 2” Long Shank – Chrome – 2K





Code: EI1C-C

Retail:$24.99

Our Price: $12.23





Chrome-plated 1-7/8” hitch ball with internal thread. Included bolt has a ¾” diameter x 2” long shank. Provides a connection point for your trailer’s coupler.

Bottom of Form

​

STEP 2 ORDER THIS FROM:


MCMASTER-CARR

Line Product Ordered Delivers Price Total

1 8491A593 Press-Fit Drill Bushing, 0.75" ID, 1" OD, 1-1/2"

Long

2 (I ALWAYS ORDER 2 OF ANYTHING JUST IN CASE OF FAILURE OR DAMAGE)

each

Mar 10 12.90 each

25.80

Merchandise $25.80​

STEP 3 GO TO:



TRACTOR SUPPLY

BUY 1 PIECE OF ¾” X 12” Of ALL THREAD AND CUT OFF TO 7”

USING RED LOCKTITE RUN THE BALL UP ON THE ALL THREAD AND TIGHTEN DOWN IN A VICE.

DRILL A HOLE IN THE END OF THE ALL THREAD FOR A COTTER PIN TO KEEP THE JAM NUTS FROM BACKING OFF.

ONCE THE BALL IS SECURE WITH RED LOCKTITE ON THE TOP OF THE ALL THREAD USE BLUE LOCKTITE FOR THE REST OF THE INSTALLATION.


USING A 2 LARGE FLAT WASHERS ON THE TOP OF THE BUMPER TO REST THE BALL ON; AND THEN USE 1 OF THE 2/ DRILL BUSINGS FROM MCMASTER CARR; AND THEN 1 FLAT WASHER AND 1 LOCK WASHER; RUN UP 2 / ¾” NUTS AND TIGHTEN DOWN TO EXPOSE THE HOLE FOR THE COTTER PIN.

INSTALL THE COTTER PIN AND BEND.

THE FINISHED PICTURES:


https://1drv.ms/u/s!Apxgwvpdu1jNh7ZlhtrvLD8KFlPVmg?e=DhpbJb

Sponsored

 

[HenryMac]

All thread is pretty much a low quality product. Not sure I'd want to use that for such a critical fastener.

Why not just use a good quality bolt and a lock washer? That would also eliminate dragging your nuts in the dirt... so to say.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Hi Stew,

All thread is of very low quality and really not suitable for an installation like you show for towing anything with any weight... You might find it would be better to order a Grade 8 bolt and lockwasher of sufficient length to secure the trailer ball. I do not want to be an alarmist, but it is probably best to not tow anything more than a garden cart. You might find high quality all thread at Grainger Supply or MSC. All thread is very useful for many applications, but not this one..

Best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[orangegrower]

Here is a rundown on all thread grades. As Phil mentioned most over the counter all thread is not very strong. https://www.allthreadrod.com/grades/

 

[BeachRanger19]

Why dont you just install a Curt Class III receiver hitch? It's only $121.00 at etrailer.com and self install is about 1hr.
You will have a safer towing experience up to 6000 lbs.

 

[levimac`]

Hmm

 

[Rinn69]

Looking at those pics makes me really glad I ordered the factory tow package..... No offense, but that thing should be the pic in the dictionary next to the word "cluster-f#*&". Ford REALLY screwed the pooch on that one !!!!

 

[levimac`]

And again, Hmm.

 

[HenryMac]

Looking at those pics makes me really glad I ordered the factory tow package..... No offense, but that thing should be the pic in the dictionary next to the word "cluster-f#*&". Ford REALLY screwed the pooch on that one !!!!

Actually Ford did a great job. Have you crawled under a Ranger that doesn't have a hitch?

It's a good design, a lightweight hitch, for lightweight towing.

 

[rooster]

As a former calibrator of material testing equipment I can say there is nothing more exciting than high stake destructive testing!

 

[Stewart Long]

Where were you all when I was struggling with this problem of using what I paid for when I bought this truck.

I shouldn't have to shell out another $150.00 for a hitch replacement. Didn't have this problem with a '91 S-10 that I put 350,000 miles on with a step bumper and the same setup and ran the tires off of it and sent it to the junk yard..

The dealership could not help me and when you call FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE they tell me to go to a local trailer outfit for the answer, that they didn't have an answer.

The problem is the type of ball you are pushed into using with this bolt that has to come up from the bottom that recesses itself inside of this collar they have welded on the bottom. That bolt is born to fall out and does.

That metal collar they welded on the bottom of this hitch will not let you run the lock washer and nut up into it for the length of shank that's on an off the shelf ball.

So how many times am I going to use this to tow this single axel; 12' long lawnmower trailer that will only be carrying a lawnmower when I take it to a repair shop (which is never) or take brush from the yard to the dump....maybe twice in a year.

So my choice because of FORD'S ENGINEERING to use what I paid for....a trailer ball I don't trust because of a bad experience of having a bolt fall out of this style of ball on the Cross Bronx Expressway in NYC years ago (my breaker chains are the only things that saved us on that one) or coming up with what I have.

My truck; my problem and until I have definite reason to change it I'm using it.

 

[HenryMac]

Where were you all when I was struggling with this problem of using what I paid for when I bought this truck.

I shouldn't have to shell out another $150.00 for a hitch replacement. Didn't have this problem with a '91 S-10 that I put 350,000 miles on with a step bumper and the same setup and ran the tires off of it and sent it to the junk yard..

The dealership could not help me and when you call FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE they tell me to go to a local trailer outfit for the answer, that they didn't have an answer.

The problem is the type of ball you are pushed into using with this bolt that has to come up from the bottom that recesses itself inside of this collar they have welded on the bottom. That bolt is born to fall out and does.

That metal collar they welded on the bottom of this hitch will not let you run the lock washer and nut up into it for the length of shank that's on an off the shelf ball.

So how many times am I going to use this to tow this single axel; 12' long lawnmower trailer that will only be carrying a lawnmower when I take it to a repair shop (which is never) or take brush from the yard to the dump....maybe twice in a year.

So my choice because of FORD'S ENGINEERING to use what I paid for....a trailer ball I don't trust because of a bad experience of having a bolt fall out of this style of ball on the Cross Bronx Expressway in NYC years ago (my breaker chains are the only things that saved us on that one) or coming up with what I have.

My truck; my problem and until I have definite reason to change it I'm using it.

If you are really that worried about the bolt "falling out" they make cross drilled machine screws... (hex head, socket head) that you can safety wire to prevent them falling off. It's not needed though, just use Loctite the same as you used on the threaded rod.

Your threaded rod arrangement with the cotter pinned is no different than a bolt, except the threaded rod itself isn't of acceptable quality.

People keep ragging on Ford..... Ford built a great product. Your lack of knowledge about options is is a reflection on you... not Ford.

 

[weasel1]

I want to see pics of that "high in the sky " trailer once you have it hooked up. I had to get an 8" drop receiver for my utility trailer.

 

[Texasota]

So my choice because of FORD'S ENGINEERING to use what I paid for....a trailer ball I don't trust because of a bad experience of having a bolt fall out of this style of ball on the Cross Bronx Expressway in NYC years ago (my breaker chains are the only things that saved us on that one) or coming up with what I have.

My truck; my problem and until I have definite reason to change it I'm using it.

Sounds like you just identified a good reason from your own past experience why you should install a proper trailer hitch. That incident could have easily put other motorists on the road at risk. In addition, your little trailer's tongue is going to be way to high using the bumper hitch.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

Where were you all when I was struggling with this problem of using what I paid for when I bought this truck.

I shouldn't have to shell out another $150.00 for a hitch replacement. Didn't have this problem with a '91 S-10 that I put 350,000 miles on with a step bumper and the same setup and ran the tires off of it and sent it to the junk yard..

The dealership could not help me and when you call FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE they tell me to go to a local trailer outfit for the answer, that they didn't have an answer.

The problem is the type of ball you are pushed into using with this bolt that has to come up from the bottom that recesses itself inside of this collar they have welded on the bottom. That bolt is born to fall out and does.

That metal collar they welded on the bottom of this hitch will not let you run the lock washer and nut up into it for the length of shank that's on an off the shelf ball.

So how many times am I going to use this to tow this single axel; 12' long lawnmower trailer that will only be carrying a lawnmower when I take it to a repair shop (which is never) or take brush from the yard to the dump....maybe twice in a year.

So my choice because of FORD'S ENGINEERING to use what I paid for....a trailer ball I don't trust because of a bad experience of having a bolt fall out of this style of ball on the Cross Bronx Expressway in NYC years ago (my breaker chains are the only things that saved us on that one) or coming up with what I have.

My truck; my problem and until I have definite reason to change it I'm using it.

Hi Stew.

Okay,,,, your ox got gored. I understand, you were proud of your install and folks did not think this was a solution. Please do not take it as being mean spirited...the warings, including mine are valid. I liken it to after my Divorce from my first wife. My friends said "Do not date that woman...she is nothing but trouble..." I blew them off....On my were they right. Swallow your pride for safety sake. I understand a bad decision...I told my engineers and their supervisors to make a decision as we can fix a bad decision but to be indecisive is to fail. I recall you were offered up solutions of longer length trailer ball studs but for some reason decided to use one that clearly would not work. This is not Ford's fault either....I have no idea why the bumper is as it is, but there is a reason and there are work arounds. I am guessing you wanted to use what you had on hand and not have to purchase anything new. Best advice in my opinion is to do a drawtite or Curt. Since you indicated you would not do more than a garden tractor makes me think this ball is for looks more than function....Okay...fair enough...but if you sell the vehicle, the purchaser may not realize this and have a calamitous event. Please do the right thing and get rid of the all thread.

Sincerely,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

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