dave1123

My 97 ZJ had the factory tow package when I got rearended by a new Patriot at about 15 mph or less. The factory hitch was below the bumper. The ball and mount punched a hole in the Patriot's plastic bumper and pulled out some foglight wiring, but all it did to my ZJ was pop the plastic step pad off the top of the bumper. It didn't bend the hitch or even stress the mounting bolts! After asking her if she was alright, she asked me about damage. I told her about the hole and the fact that she didn't hurt my jeep, so she said "Good," backed up and drove away! She never even got out of her jeep! Oh well! That was 6 years ago and I haven't heard from her since.

The point being the hitch was centered at her bumper height, right where a factory hitch would be on her jeep. My jeep wasn't lifted at all. I can't measure it now because the ZJ is history. If I hadn't had the hitch, my bumper probably would have taken out her grill and headlights.

Bearstream

What will you be towing, and does it use a weight distribution set-up? I've had to do a few adjustments to the receiver L-bracket to get the level correct after adding suspension enhancement to my WJ.

00_WJ_4.0

Well, I have my own small utility trailer made out of a 68 pop-up camper... However, there really aren't many limits on what I may use it for....aside from weight limits. I tow a dollie with vehicles on it with the V8 jeep every now and then, but there may come times where I may need to tow landscape trailers with mowers and such, possibly flat trailers full of lumber. I work construction, and do vehicle maintenance, as well as care for the companies properties so I may have to tow random things from time to time. The brown jeep is my fiances and the white one mine

00_WJ_4.0

The thing I worry about with modifying the hitch is that I will be wheeling my jeep and wouldn't want to risk it being low enough to hit in wheeling situations that may bring my rear end into contact with the ground. Which is a positive of it being in the bumper some lol

Bearstream

This is my L-bracket with the weight distribution bar module bolted to it, by removing the bolts you can re-set height for several tow vehicles and trailers. I have acquired a few various ball mounts, so I switch them out as needed. I looked online and found some really practical height adjustable ball mounts, the Trimax Razor at Walmart $135 and Anderson rapid hitch at HitchSource $180. May be a bit pricey, Although could solve the problem of various trailer tongue heights, hope this helps.

00_WJ_4.0

That actually does, I've seen them but had actually forgotten about them lol

lbfin88

I agree. That's why I'd prefer to get the Mopar hitch. I just wish they didn't want so much money for it.

00_WJ_4.0

Yeah, it's a bit crazy how much they want. Glad mine was already in the jeep when I got it lol I called about one for my one jeep. Everything they have is crazy expensive. They want almost $500 for a axle shaft. I bought one from the parts store for like $80 that works just fine

dave1123

U-Haul sells some decently priced options also.