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Just installed a front receiver hitch on my 99 XJ. Draw-Tite P/N 65009. It's mind-boggling to think that Jeep would make the XJ with no front tow points. I thought about tow hooks, but I like the versatility of the front receiver. Lots of options for recovery gear hookup, the ability to push a trailer around, and the option of using a removeable slide-in winch. Oh, and it helps strengthen the uniframe. The mounting holes didn't line up, even when spreading the brackets with a 4 ton hydraulic ram, so I had to elongate a couple of holes with my plasma cutter. (Gee, imagine that, an aftermarket part not fitting correctly!) I didn't cut the air dam, but just left it off.
Were you able to reinstall the front air dam to give the hitch some stealth? If not, what’s preventing you from reinstalling the front air dam? Will the front air dam reinstall?
I've since sold the Cherokee, so I can't look at it now. I think others have cut the air dam to fit and reinstalled it. I didn't see any reason to do so; I actually like the way it looks as is.
I've since sold the Cherokee, so I can't look at it now. I think others have cut the air dam to fit and reinstalled it. I didn't see any reason to do so; I actually like the way it looks as is.
Say it ain't so man!
Hopefully you sold your Cherokee for another Cherokee...
I have a spare rear mount hitch, and I am pretty sure could be adapted with some cutting, drilling & welding
I think I instead I will fit a custom mount and the Factory Alloy bullbar, which I also have, as that looks good
It may be possible to incorporate both, I wont know absolutely for sure until I have everything apart, there is a few different ways to consider, I prefer the least radical surgery
Weight at the front is a problem, the addition of a 9500lb winch, solid mounting plates, alloy bar adds well over 100lbs
The factory rear hitch is a solid bit of gear, even shortened it would have to be not all that far short of another 100
Draw-Tite. I'd have to check the part number but I imagine it's what was shown in the original post (P/N 65009). It's on my MJ and it was pretty straight forward to install.
I'd love to see a picture of the underside, close to the steering box. I currently have an Ironman steering brace installed, but would like to get a front tow hitch as well.
If there's sufficient clearance, I would like to weld up a mount for the steering brace bearing to get both combined into one unit.
01-02-2022, 02:59 PM
Front Receiver Hitch
I installed a front hitch a month or so ago and without cutting out sections for the tow hooks they're almost useless. 
