Im currently trying to figure out what size to make a cross member that supports an integrated hitch.

I'm thinking 1 x 3 in 188 wall tubing. But im still not sure.

To be clear, this cross member will sit directly behind the sill plate that the rear bumper mounts to and will be welded to the frame as well as the floor. im going for a true Class 3/ class 4 capacity so i can use a hitch mounted Motorcycle carrier.

 

You mean like this?

 

not exactly. instead of relying JUST on the frame to support the hitch, i want to spread the load into the unibody by welding a "beam" across the frame that the Hitch receiver itself will bolt to. so instead of just the 2 frame mounts, i will have 3. i will have to cut the sill plate up, but its not in great shape anyway.

 

You mean like this?

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f58/re...-build-215228/

 

Bad *** bumper man, but not quite. the cross brace can only be about an inch high to get the hitch to bolt to it, so it will go long ways against the floor. i am essentially trying to make a strong tongue weight hitch, not a "pull on" hitch.

 

Not really sure what you are trying to accomplish?

What I built here is essentially a ClassIV hitch.
3/8 plate with 3" 1/4 wall cross tube, gusseted.

Here are the ratings- http://www.reese-hitches.com/learnin...towing-classes

I cannot design this for you......easier to just do than explain.......

However, anything beyond 4-500lbs in tongue weight and you'll exceed the suspension.....so......are you willing to do more than just weld in some plate?

 

i need it to handle 400 lbs, not any more.

Im not building my bumper just yet, but i have a lot of frame repair to do...




I want to use 3 x 5, 3/16 wall rectangle tubing for a bumper and weld a receiver hitch into it , but i dont want to rely completely on the bumper to take the weight, so i want to put a brace on the frame that the receiver bolts into that spreads the load.

im asking if 1 x 3, 3/16 wall tubing should be sufficient to spread the leverage of the load into the frame rails and unibody from the receiver.

 

MS paint done in 3 minutes. red part is what i am asking about.

 

Absolutely not. And why?


You are asking to increase tongue weight at the same time you are asking to use less that 1/4" materials.


Build the hitch and wrap a bumper around it.

Or, just use a standard ClassIII hitch.

 

Never mind.............

With a frame/unibody like that...............no.

 

BTW...........and hope you know what you are doing.............


I'd cut all that out and build a new subframe with new spring mounts and integrate a hitch.

Or.........shop for another XJ.

 

its a unicorn. 2dr 5 speed 4wd 4.0.

that i have already figured out. 2.5, .120 wall square tubing stacked and stitched together, then 3 x 5, .188 wall rectangle tubing for the shackle mounts.

i want to get a provision for a hitch bumper welded in before i prime and paint, hence why im asking what to use. normal hitches up in the north cause **** to rot out. this damage was caused by the hitch, because the rest of the frame is rock solid.

 

I see 2 door 5 speeds all of the time. Actually I rarely see a 2dr automatic.

 

4wd and a 4.0?

 

Extremely easy to convert. Mines a factory 4x4 with 4.0 and 5 speed 2dr. Everyone thinks they are super hard to find. Yes there are a lot less than 4 doors but not rare, this is rare.
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