Trailer Hitch Compatibility
#16
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Posts: 918
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
3 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L HO
The pics on the summit site are definitely deceiving, it definitely looks a lot better based on the Reese site. The metal looks a little thinner than the Curt or other 5,000lb. hitches (that is to be expected on a lower rated hitch, and either is probably thicker then the "frame" rail it attaches to), but otherwise is the same basic design and should be fine as long as you aren't pushing the towing limits of the XJ (while the XJ is rated to tow 5,000lbs. with a trans cooler, since they only weigh ~3,400lbs. anything beyond 3,500lbs. is definitely pushing it a bit when it comes to controllability and braking except for short/slow trips).
#18
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Long Lost Thread-
Any advice on removing the rear bumper? I've read that both bumper brackets need to come off but mine are looking very rusty. I've sprayed with PBBlaster this afternoon but it seems like they will be hard to get a wrench or socket on from underneath. Is there any other way? I need to get a wrench on the bolt heads for the hitch (I didn't go with nutstrips).
Thanks!
Any advice on removing the rear bumper? I've read that both bumper brackets need to come off but mine are looking very rusty. I've sprayed with PBBlaster this afternoon but it seems like they will be hard to get a wrench or socket on from underneath. Is there any other way? I need to get a wrench on the bolt heads for the hitch (I didn't go with nutstrips).
Thanks!
#19
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Well, I kind of feel like I'm talking to myself but just in case others are putting a hitch on, I will continue.
Use lots of PB blaster on the bolts that hold the brackets to the rear body. There are four on each (2 on each side). It's a little hard to get at them. I used a 1/2" ratchet with a pipe to give some length and torque. I found I only had 7 bolts (one was broken off already). Whole bumper comes off. Then you can get at the frame channels where the top of the bolts will be that will hold your hitch. You can buy the nut strips but I was able to get a long 5/8" wrench down the channel and hold the bolt heads while tightening underneath. Pretty easy (maybe an hour or two depending on how much pre-soaking with PB Blaster you do.
I lucked out that the trailer harness was still behind the interior side panel.
Enjoy.
Use lots of PB blaster on the bolts that hold the brackets to the rear body. There are four on each (2 on each side). It's a little hard to get at them. I used a 1/2" ratchet with a pipe to give some length and torque. I found I only had 7 bolts (one was broken off already). Whole bumper comes off. Then you can get at the frame channels where the top of the bolts will be that will hold your hitch. You can buy the nut strips but I was able to get a long 5/8" wrench down the channel and hold the bolt heads while tightening underneath. Pretty easy (maybe an hour or two depending on how much pre-soaking with PB Blaster you do.
I lucked out that the trailer harness was still behind the interior side panel.
Enjoy.
#21
Senior Member
Thread Starter
I think I've seen that on other posts-no nutstrips on one side. Nuts and bolts work. Use Grade 8 fasteners. Don't them get too long as you'll have a hard time "flipping" them into the holes inside the channel. I used a flexible wire to pull each one through the hole and then held the bolt heads with a wrench will I tightened the nuts.
#23
CF Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Quebec
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
i have a 96, no nutstrip on either side.
thanks for the info GMC, you're not talking to yourself!! I'm about to attempt this in order to get to the nuts inside the frame rails. from the outside my bolts are spinning freely.
my hitch covers the underside of the bumper though, I think I will need to cut small access holes in the bumper from under in order to get a breaker bar in there. worst case scenario drill holes into the bumper to get an impact in there.
thanks for the info GMC, you're not talking to yourself!! I'm about to attempt this in order to get to the nuts inside the frame rails. from the outside my bolts are spinning freely.
my hitch covers the underside of the bumper though, I think I will need to cut small access holes in the bumper from under in order to get a breaker bar in there. worst case scenario drill holes into the bumper to get an impact in there.
#24
Senior Member
Thread Starter
i have a 96, no nutstrip on either side.
thanks for the info GMC, you're not talking to yourself!! I'm about to attempt this in order to get to the nuts inside the frame rails. from the outside my bolts are spinning freely.
my hitch covers the underside of the bumper though, I think I will need to cut small access holes in the bumper from under in order to get a breaker bar in there. worst case scenario drill holes into the bumper to get an impact in there.
thanks for the info GMC, you're not talking to yourself!! I'm about to attempt this in order to get to the nuts inside the frame rails. from the outside my bolts are spinning freely.
my hitch covers the underside of the bumper though, I think I will need to cut small access holes in the bumper from under in order to get a breaker bar in there. worst case scenario drill holes into the bumper to get an impact in there.
#25
CF Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Broward County Fl.
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes
on
22 Posts
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Using nut strips will distribute the weight your pulling much better than just bolts and washer wich can pull thru frame.
#26
::CF Moderator::
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
Posts: 43,875
Received 1,526 Likes
on
1,238 Posts
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
#27
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: usa
Posts: 799
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes
on
4 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cylinder
By choosing to NOT pull the bumper to remove a snapped off bolt nutstrip then the carriage bolt pull thru method has to be used.
-The old nutstrip needs to be unfastened from the frame channel.
-Then pushed toward the front of the frame channel out of the way...
for fishing the square washer/carriage bolt combos through the bolt holes via the opening of the frame channel near the rear bumber.
The 'potential' problem with the carriage bolt method is that the old nut strip could bounce around and rattle when hitting bumps.
I had this done on my XJ when the fuel tank skid plate had to be removed for a fuel pump replacement. Every dam bolt snapped.
That old nutstrip rattles when hitting certain bumps just right.
-The old nutstrip needs to be unfastened from the frame channel.
-Then pushed toward the front of the frame channel out of the way...
for fishing the square washer/carriage bolt combos through the bolt holes via the opening of the frame channel near the rear bumber.
The 'potential' problem with the carriage bolt method is that the old nut strip could bounce around and rattle when hitting bumps.
I had this done on my XJ when the fuel tank skid plate had to be removed for a fuel pump replacement. Every dam bolt snapped.
That old nutstrip rattles when hitting certain bumps just right.
#28
CF Veteran
My hitch came with 1x1.5" steel square spacers that you run the bolt through and put the nut on the bottom so you don't need nut strips It also came with regular bolts and washers in case you wanted to use nut strips. My jeep had a nut strip on the right side but it had some bolts broke off in it so I pulled it out, I also cut a square out on each side at the back so I could get inside there better to feed the bolts in, the bumper covers it up so it's not a problem.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMS-Class-3-...item2ee420e15e
http://www.ebay.com/itm/AMS-Class-3-...item2ee420e15e
#29
CF Veteran
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Broward County Fl.
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes
on
22 Posts
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
When this is your trailing partner thiers no way spacers with bolts will take the abuse nut strips will when snatching 7,000 lbs with hitch.
#30
CF Veteran
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Posts: 7,964
Received 952 Likes
on
767 Posts
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Yes, yes, and yes. I would not consider towing anythnig near capacity without the nutstrips.
I just returned the JC Offroad strips. They looked flimsy to me. They are billed as 1/8" thick, which I thought was marginal, but when I got them, I measured them at a little LESS than 1/8", including the powder coat. Not good enough, and I don't like false advertising. If you say it's made from 1/8" steel, it had better be 1/8" steel. It's not a 2x4 which everyone knows is a nominal meausaremnt.
I have read that member XJWonders sells a good nutstrip. I'm going to check it out.