Hi all, I am new here... I am hoping to get a 1992 4dr Laredo. Main reason being that the paint matches my boat... only problem is that the Jeep doesn't have a trailer hitch installed. What would the cost be to install a nice one and is it possible to pull/stop an 18 foot bowrider with this vehicle? Regards,

 

A hitch can be purchased on ebay for less then 150 bucks and it'll take about 1 hour to install. You'll have to remove the bumper.

How heavy is the boat?

 

I got a nice Curt hitch on Amazon for about $119 last summer, they have a Reese for $109 right now as well. Both come with a fishwire and bolts with spreader plates that I was able to fish in without removing the bumper on the driver's side. On the passenger side I already had the nut strip because of the exhaust mount, but they include the bolts if needed.

 

Wow, I bet that was a chore installing that without removing the bumper.

Personally, I'd use the aftermarket nut strips. They're like 25 bucks for a pair.

 

No it's not bad, as he mentioned it takes about an hour to install and that's on the long end. I just did mine and it took 45 minutes, once you get the technique how to pull the bolt through it goes really fast

 

I used my hand and a magnet.

 

I believe XJ's came with a nut strip on the passenger side to bolt the exhaust hanger to. Keep in mind thats a 20 year old rusty hunk there. If i were you I would get two new nut strips and get it done by the book. You can get oem strips from morris 4x4 and aftermarket ones from jcr offroad. The aftermarket ones look beefier, and jcr is a forum vendor.

 

ok.. so how do you get at the bolts? Do you take off the bumper then the brkts? I was trying to install a hitch and broke a weld nut. Ground off the bolt head.. Now i noticed that the little flange that all the nuts are welded on is bent from my impact... I need the rear bumper off to change that flange to all bolts... Any ideas?

I also think i should buy new nut strips... What are they called? i cant find them on Morris?

 

They are called sill reinforcement brackets. Near the bottom of the page under the Hitches category.

You need to remove the rear bumper to access the rail. I think once you get that off it'll all be clearer how to go about the installation.