jwpColfaxNC

If I may, Pay it Forward so to speak

Highly suggest ALL Jeep Owners regardless of Model or Year

ADD following to your current preventative Maintenance of Vehicle.
1. Inspect Total Trailer hitch assembly - Get up under Jeep take a look see
2. With torque wrench Check all Bolts per Manufacturer Specifications
REASON:
a. While replacing Driver side Outer Wheel bearing
b. Required to remove Diff Cover, remove C clip etc ...
c. Noticed the inner side of Trailer Hitch
d. NOTE: Would not have noticed from an outside inspection
e. JPG digital Photo attached
f. Don't want to think of the many negative things to occur if not Found
-Hitch assembly comes apart while towing
-Causing accident
-Law Suits
-And so forth
Hope this helps all who may view this Post in the way it was intended
Great day to all
John from Colfax NC

PS: After considerable due diligence research
-Ordered New Hitch assembly
-Draw-Tite Max-Frame = Model # 75041
Please Conduct research for Hitch compatible for your Jeep year & Model
Also suggest for a little more dollars purchase the Highest Class rating Hitch
You never know what you may be towing so be prepared in advance with Highest quality hitch rating for your personal safety & general public

ZJFreak

mmmm oxidation

ol"blue

Hey John, Welcome to CF. Thanks for posting that.

dave1123

Very nice, Guy! Thanks for sharing. I had a Chevy truck and the bolts pulled through the frame! Luckily, it happened in the lot. I was trying to move a loaded carhauler with locked brakes!

sthon

I was driving up I-5 near Modesto a few months back and had a small truck lose a trailer a few cars ahead of me. Not a fun situation for anyone, luckily everyone managed to get the hell out of the way and trailer made use of the concrete divider.

dave1123

A friend of mine had a boat and trailer come across the median from the opposite direction in front of him. He says he thinks the hitch was still attached, but it happened so fast he wasn't sure. Incidentally, nobody stopped!

sthon

I didn't stop either... I was running late trying to get to a site. Had there been an accident I would have stopped.

bigbadon

Holy crapoly!! Did that Jeep come from up north? Never seen anything that severe on a NC vehicle.

jwpColfaxNC

Many thanks for replies to date -- most appreciated

Interesting this Jeep GC ZJ Limited has spent its Life in Central NC -- but of course has been all over the US on travels.

As its been stated if a person can determine manufacturer date of any product ( Don't buy if Manf on Mon or Friday ) -- Friday folks are thinking of weekend activities, Monday coming back to work from weekend activities = Not producing 100% of Human productivity

I think this particular Trailer Hitch was produced on one of those two days and missed the Rust treatment process -- Of course that is just a thought

Regardless, once I receive & Install the NEW Hitch assembly, will from this day forward ADD to my Engine Oil/Filter procedures = Get up under Jeep for a Look see / Check Torque Settings of Hitch - Safe than Sorry

zjrog

Thats why I removed the receiver from the 94 Explorer I rehabbed for my son a few years ago. Since I recently dropped my fuel tank on my 95 ZJ, I did a thorough check on mine. Some surface rust, but nothing flaking. In the spring I'll drop it again and bead blast it and recoat it.

Thanks for PSA...

dnuccio

I was looking for a hitch at the junkyard for my ZJ, found one and started pulling it. when i got one sides bolts out, it dropped to that side and the thing bent! i was like dafuq?? turns out it was super rusty, i was able to push thru the main frame on the hitch with my little finger! be careful out there, never know what you'll find

dave1123

I was just about to say, unless the hitch was dipped, you've got to look out for rust on the inside of the main tube.

KD3NE

I pull mine off once every year to clean and repaint if needed.

I even clean and repaint inside the main cross tube.

It allows me to insure the integrity of the hitch system and it also allow me to insure the nuts and bolts are not 'welded on with rust' like they get when you ignore the trailer hitch system.

dave1123

Also, remove the hitchball tongue when not using it so it won't "weld in place". It took a 10 ton press to get it out of my Chevy truck!

jwpColfaxNC

Hello all
Figured I would take photo and Upload
-Installed New Draw-Tite Hitch ( Highest rated Option ) for Jeep GC ZJ
Easy install, be certain to use the High Quality Bolts & Washers that comes with Hitch
If possible gain a helper ( Much easier ) for 10 minutes to help hold Hitch in place while you insert Bolts, Then tighten per Torque Specs
-Installed Alm diamond plate secured with Stainless Steel bolts
This was an easy way to hide plastic bumper cover nicks from years of Towing
Drill pilot hole then insert lag type SS bolt thru Plastic cover into Steel Bumper
-Two Back-Up Lights ( Works Great when connecting Hitch after Sunset )
-Installed Two threaded Lags thru Rear Bumper Black covers that was coming loose + Painted with Eastwood.com
-If I may HIGHLY recommend Draw-Tite MAX Frame Hitches
Received great customer service, Quality Product, Perfect FIT for easy install, at a Fair Price
In the past installed lower quality hitches that had to be drilled out to fit etc... No FUN .. its buy Quality all the way for me going forward