JeepN00bie

I'm trying to buy a hitch mostly for a bike rack but also possibly the occasional hauling of a ATV or dirtbike behind my 99 XJ.

I'm looking on craigslist and junkyards just so I can keep it under $100.

First of all, I'm thinking a class I would be fine, but if I were to find a class II or III for a better price, is there any reason not to get that?

Second, how can I tell if it will fit my vehicle, are there some universal dimensions I should look for in order to ensure its compatibility?

For example, would either of these fit?

http://boulder.craigslist.org/pts/3812291708.html

http://denver.craigslist.org/pts/3798995209.html

Are most XJ hitches 1.25" or 2"?
Should I get a 1.25" or 2" receiver? Which is most commonly used?
Thanks!

thatXJguy

You can find a hitch on almost any Cherokee in a junk yard. Mostly all of them will fit.

I had one that didn't like the location of my bumper. It was from an older 84-96 Cherokee. I have the newer style 97-01 style. So the bumper placement is different.

So I took an angle grinder to the top of the hitch and made a nice weld. It fits now.

JeepN00bie

Normally you wouldn't have to weld it on right? If it is the correct size? I thought XJ hitch's were bolt-ons.

DougyFresh

neither of those will fit, you will have to get one made for an XJ

thatXJguy

I didn't weld the hitch onto my Jeep. I welded over where I made the cut on the hitch to strengthen where I ground down the part that wouldn't fit under my bumper.

All XJ hitches are bolt on. Get one from an XJ.

prerunner1982

You are looking for a hitch similar to this:



A hitch can make a good recovery point, so if you can find a 2" receiver I would go with it. You can buy a d-ring hitch to go in it or use a hitch pin and yank strap. The one above is only a 1" receiver. They hitches are bolt on but you will need the nut strips that go inside the "frame".

Nut strips: http://www.jcroffroad.com/product/XJMISC/NTSTRP.html

thatXJguy

Those nut strips are cool, but holy hell are they expensive. I recommend using a bolt leader and carriage bolts.

hankthetank

$30 is actually pretty cheap...fst nut strips

Klroach92

I got a class 3 on eBay delivered for 125, Reese hitch with all hardware included, i would strongly suggest made life a lot easier for me at least only took about 30 minutes to get on there.

JeepN00bie

What all hardware do you need to install a hitch?

94XjSport94

Nutstrips certainly help along with the proper bolts for them.

thatXJguy

All I used was the hitch itself, a $2 bolt leader to pull the bolts through the unibody, four carriage bolts and nuts for under $6, and four frame lockers for under $6. Some people go with 6 bolts.

Something like this:



The square thing goes into the unibody with the carriage bolt, and the square hole locks the carriage bolt into place so the bolt doesn't twist and loosen in the unibody.

All in all, this is your goal (the spring-looking thing is called a bolt leader):

Prototype4342

That sounds a lot more complicated/difficult than getting the nutstrips and for only slightly less money.

studmuffin

its not hard I did it in minutes by guiding the bolts with metal wire. The right side on mine had a nut strip so I used it but the left didnt so I had to resort to carriage bolts.

JeepN00bie

Are most XJ hitches 1.25" or 2"?