Modified XJ Cherokee Tech XJ (84-01)
All modified tech questions. If it modifies your XJ beyond stock parts ask it here.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Installing Rear Hitch... stupid question?

Old 03-26-2013, 03:47 PM
  #1  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
luckyAD80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
Default Installing Rear Hitch... stupid question?

Hey everyone. I have a 2000 Cherokee XJ Sport that I bought a rear hitch for off Craigslist a while back. I want to finally install it, however, I need the correct hardware. A buddy of mine is saying to get these nutstrips http://www.jcroffroad.com/mm5/mercha...ct_Code=NTSTRP, remove the nutstrip that is all rusted on my passenger side near exhaust, and install the bumper.

Two questions... it looks like the bolts on the hardware don't line up with holes on my bumper. However, the holes on the bumper line up with the holes in the frame rail on my Cherokee where the hitch is going to go.

1) I'm confused by this... will it work? I'm attaching pictures.
2)Does this bracket have Grade 8 hardware (website doesn't say and they won't answer my calls)

3) (off topic), but how expensive would it be to get that one part welded back together? or do I even need to?
Attached Thumbnails Installing Rear Hitch... stupid question?-photo-1.jpg   Installing Rear Hitch... stupid question?-hitch.jpg  
Old 03-26-2013, 05:52 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
Bossokee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Dalton, MA
Posts: 645
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O. 180K miles
Default

If the nut strip doesnt line up just drill holes where the nuts lie. Also, do not even think about using that D-ring
Old 03-26-2013, 06:34 PM
  #3  
Seasoned Member
 
fatboyadams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: north, ga
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

What do you mean bumper? The nutstrips go inside the unibody frame rails.
Comes with grade 5 bolts.

Last edited by fatboyadams; 03-26-2013 at 06:40 PM.
Old 03-26-2013, 08:31 PM
  #4  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
luckyAD80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
Default

Originally Posted by Bossokee
If the nut strip doesnt line up just drill holes where the nuts lie. Also, do not even think about using that D-ring
**** really? That's partly why I bought it.
Old 03-26-2013, 08:31 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
luckyAD80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
Default

Originally Posted by fatboyadams
What do you mean bumper? The nutstrips go inside the unibody frame rails.
Comes with grade 5 bolts.
Sorry I meant rear hitch.
Old 03-26-2013, 09:05 PM
  #6  
Seasoned Member
 
fatboyadams's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: north, ga
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by luckyAD80
Sorry I meant rear hitch.
Did it come off an XJ? I know that the nutstrips will work cause i have them on my XJ. The "D ring" looks to be a spot to run wires through.
Old 03-26-2013, 09:27 PM
  #7  
Senior Member
 
kennzz05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: middleburg fl
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

dont know if you have this but might help
http://ecommerce.curthitch.biz/maste...121373_INS.pdf
Old 03-26-2013, 09:43 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
Turbo X_J's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: ☼ Blackhole Sun
Posts: 8,567
Likes: 0
Received 18 Likes on 16 Posts
Year: My Jeep is a GMC
Default

Whats up with that safety chain bracket, how rusty is that thing? Looks kind of scary to me. I bought a new C3 hidden hitch with hardware for like $68 delivered to my door off egay like a year ago, might want to look for something like that.
Old 03-26-2013, 10:12 PM
  #9  
CF Veteran
 
Dan91's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Williston, North Dakota
Posts: 1,295
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Default

Originally Posted by Bossokee
Also, do not even think about using that D-ring
Originally Posted by luckyAD80
**** really? That's partly why I bought it.
I agree with Bossokee, the welds on that d-ring look terrible. On a decent pull I bet you could rip it right off lol.
Old 03-26-2013, 10:31 PM
  #10  
CF Veteran
 
Barrelmaker's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Holland MI
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

As for your question.
The jcr nut strip lies inside of the frame rail, looks like you have the standard 4 bolt hitch that utilizes 3 inside the frame rail section and 1 on the bumper side of the rear cross member.
If you look at a stock nut strip it has a bump to accommodate the transition between the 3 inside the rail and the 1 outside. This is where the jcr nut strip reaches further into the Jeep for gas tank skid attachment.
Get in touch with FST i know they make a nut strip that will fit your needs at a competitive price without any hassle of buying extra bolts to make it work.
Old 03-26-2013, 10:31 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
luckyAD80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
Default

Originally Posted by fatboyadams

Did it come off an XJ? I know that the nutstrips will work cause i have them on my XJ. The "D ring" looks to be a spot to run wires through.
Yeah it must have because the holes line up perfectly with the frame rail. It just looks like the nut strips from jcr have weird spacing in between each hole, like it won't line up at all with my cherokee. But hey, if it works it works, I'm just going off what the picture has.
Old 03-26-2013, 10:32 PM
  #12  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
luckyAD80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
Default

Originally Posted by kennzz05
dont know if you have this but might help
http://ecommerce.curthitch.biz/maste...121373_INS.pdf
Thank you! This is great.
Old 03-26-2013, 10:33 PM
  #13  
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
luckyAD80's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: VA
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 6 cyl
Default

Originally Posted by Turbo X_J
Whats up with that safety chain bracket, how rusty is that thing? Looks kind of scary to me. I bought a new C3 hidden hitch with hardware for like $68 delivered to my door off egay like a year ago, might want to look for something like that.
Yeah maybe I'll just buy another and sell this one. You wouldn't happen to have a link would you?
Old 03-26-2013, 10:44 PM
  #14  
Former Sponsor
 
Falon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Yakima ,WA
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Our nutstrips are the most heavy duty on the market made from laser cut 1/4 plate with heady duty 1/2" nuts welded to them. Shoot me and email Drew.FST@gmail.com

They are $30 +shipping hardware included

Last edited by Falon; 03-26-2013 at 11:07 PM.
Old 03-26-2013, 11:06 PM
  #15  
Senior Member
 
kennzz05's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: middleburg fl
Posts: 860
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

you have probably seen this already but heres one for 106.00 shipped with hardware but dosent look like they use nutstrips, its been like 7 years since i did mine and frankly i dont remember how it installed i remember the hassle i had getting the passenger side nutstrip out intact
http://www.ebay.com/sch/Towing-Hauli...%2520Aspirated

used reese hitch on amazon for 95 shipped no mention of hardware included im sure its a higher quality hitch than the other as reese is a major player in the trailer towing game but without hardware i dunno guess it depends how much weight and how often you are going to be towing
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listi...condition=used

and i dont know what you are planning on doing for the lights but you will need one of those conversion boxes to make the lights work correctly because the jeep uses the same bulb for brake and turn and running its plug and play (although the one i ordered didnt work properly) you should see them on both sites

Last edited by kennzz05; 03-26-2013 at 11:16 PM.

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Quick Reply: Installing Rear Hitch... stupid question?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:08 PM.