Adding Tow Hitch

[a33maxi]

Got the Curt hitch installed today. A few notes:

• The bumper cutout needed to be much taller than Curt's instructions suggest.
• The hitch blocks one of the mounting holes for the fabric liners on each side, so you need to finagle them back into place.
• The access holes are just barely big enough to fish the spacers through. You might need to widen out the holes with a file, or just use a bit of force to push them through.

Pics below. I'm still having the wire harness done at the dealer next week.

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[PersimmonHills]

Got the Curt hitch installed today. A few notes:

• The bumper cutout needed to be much taller than Curt's instructions suggest.
• The hitch blocks one of the mounting holes for the fabric liners on each side, so you need to finagle them back into place.
• The access holes are just barely big enough to fish the spacers through. You might need to widen out the holes with a file, or just use a bit of force to push them through.

Pics below. I'm still having the wire harness done at the dealer next week.

 

[PersimmonHills]

thanks. I hope to install this weekend. Great to have more input.
Looks great.

 

[burkecunningham]

Nice job and thanks for the pics and info. . Did you have to lower the exhaust or was there enough room.

 

[a33maxi]

Nice job and thanks for the pics and info. . Did you have to lower the exhaust or was there enough room.

Thanks. And yes the exhaust does need to be lowered.

 

[Wabarca2]

Has anyone looked into the trailer hitch that u haul sell's it's a bit cheaper I think.

 

[PersimmonHills]

Has anyone looked into the trailer hitch that u haul sell's it's a bit cheaper I think.

I did. I couldn’t get any response on availability. They can sell it for ½ price when they don’t have any…

 

[Legin2000]

I did. I couldn’t get any response on availability. They can sell it for ½ price when they don’t have any…

I ordered a tow bar from U-Haul on March 9th for installation of March 21st. I am still waiting for it to arrive. Called them yesterday and was told there's a 6 to 8 week wait. That doesn't make sense if someone ordered March 1st and got it this week.

In case you're interested, here's the breakdown on cost:

Hitch Installation	1	$72.00
Wiring Installation	1	$90.00
Ball Mount (2-1/4" drop, 7-1/2" length)	1	$19.95
Class III Pin & Clip	1	$3.49
2" Hitch Ball, 2-3/16" Shank Length	1	$10.95
Square Tube 2 inch Rec. (Powder Coat)	1	$174.95
Curt Taillight Converter 59236	1	$49.95
Unlimited Lifetime Warranty	1	$5.00
Wiring Service Plan	1	$10.00
Subtotal:	$436.29

 

[ogpEz]

Got the Curt hitch installed today. A few notes:

• The bumper cutout needed to be much taller than Curt's instructions suggest.
• The hitch blocks one of the mounting holes for the fabric liners on each side, so you need to finagle them back into place.
• The access holes are just barely big enough to fish the spacers through. You might need to widen out the holes with a file, or just use a bit of force to push them through.

Pics below. I'm still having the wire harness done at the dealer next week.

Thanks for posting! I was really worried you'd lose clearance adding in your own hitch but it looks like you didn't lose any at all. Where did you get this installed?

 

[a33maxi]

Thanks for posting! I was really worried you'd lose clearance adding in your own hitch but it looks like you didn't lose any at all. Where did you get this installed?

Thanks, and yeah it’s pretty comparable to OEM. I got it installed at a local indie shop, they charged me .75 hours labor.

 

[PersimmonHills]

I Installed the Curt hitch. The fit and finish is exceptional.
Overall the instructions are pretty good.

It is a huge help to have help. Pretty awkward alone.
I worked without raising the Bronco. It was easier than having it on stands (but not as easy as it would be on a lift!).
It did take me a bit to realize the horizontal crossbar goes into the plastic facia. The metal shield goes between the hitch and muffler.
i found it easier to fish the empty bolt end of the fish wire through the mounting hole and out the side opening. Then attach bolt (with plate).

The bolts go through the side opening without modification. The trick is to turn them slightly (because the corners of the hex nuts interfere)

alas - I tried to make the facia fit closely and it is too tight. Not a big deal to fix, though

My second time will go easier…

 

[Pete_72]

I just got a quote from the dealership to install a hitch and wiring harness and it’s over $800! They have never installed one yet so they based their estimated time for labor off an Escape, they said 6.5 hours because of the wiring harness.

 

[PersimmonHills]

I just got a quote from the dealership to install a hitch and wiring harness and it’s over $800! They have never installed one yet so they based their estimated time for labor off an Escape, they said 6.5 hours because of the wiring harness.

Wiring runs from the battery back

 

[Pete_72]

I was hoping that I wouldn’t have to tackle this install but I don’t think I’m will to pay that much for it.

 

[fdes]

Wiring runs from the battery back

Is there any advantage of running the ford wiring over a curt tail light converter?

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