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Post by treeofliberty on May 1, 2005 11:45:31 GMT -5
Bumper manufacturers are grossly understating their capacity, for legal reasons. They'll state 2,000 pounds for towing and 10,000 for recovery. That tells me lawyers overrule physics.
I went the bumper route, because that tin foil stock bumper was ugly, weak, and worthless on the trail. Now I have the towing capacity for my 3,000 pound trailer and several more recovery points, so somebody can pull my butt out of the mud (like there's really mud in Arizona). The KOZ bumper is quoted at something like 2000 pounds for towing. It is 3/16 steel with through welds on the hitch, and is tied into the frame by 14 bolts. 2000 pounds my butt...
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Post by kthrash on Sept 22, 2005 21:37:25 GMT -5
I bought the Factory Mopar Hitch from the dealership, with our club discount it was cheaper than any of the off brands. I aslo got the factory 7 pin wiring harness. now I can go pick up my car hauler from the storage facility and have full lights/brakes.
Total Cost was $160 for the hitch and the harness.
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Post by jrtsrt on Sept 25, 2005 20:23:38 GMT -5
Mke sure they gave you the right harness. I bought my hitch and harness from the dealer and they gave me the wrong harness. Didn't know until I installed and tested and didn't work right. Had to remove and get the right one and do all over again. Difference is wrong one attached to passenger side rear, right one attached to the drivers side rear.
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Post by jrtsrt on Sept 25, 2005 20:27:14 GMT -5
I listed the part # in the "differences 2004, 2005 models" under the 2004.5 thread.
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Post by bkh05lj on Oct 3, 2005 17:27:18 GMT -5
I had mine installed at u-haul, wiring and lifetime warranty included, for less than $200.00. Good hitch! Only problem is they either neglected to re-install my rear tow hook or it wouldn't fit and they decided to keep it. I purchased a receiver hook off ebay for around $20 including shipping.
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Post by skipperb on Oct 6, 2005 13:40:29 GMT -5
I got a hitch from a 4x4 shop it came off another jeep 25.00 and it came from
u haul it is rated 3500 and had no holes to drill its a square tube.
the rear to hook would not fit bach on. the hitch used the same holes
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tag
Trail Guide
Posts: 191
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Post by tag on Oct 6, 2005 17:57:55 GMT -5
I installed the Mopar hitch and harness in about 20 mins. for less than a u-Haul hitch. Fits great and the wire harness is beefy with system protections.
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Post by salyers890 on Oct 8, 2005 14:54:59 GMT -5
just got a draw-tite round tube (a little different look than yours chad, but identical specs.) discussion is fun, but for future jeepers, it's nice to post some pics so they can see what they want. here's mine,  |
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Post by n3cr0shark on Oct 8, 2005 21:16:30 GMT -5
I just installed a Mopar hitch and wire harness today (BDay present...thanks Honnie!!). I wanted the Mopar hitch for two reasons....1> I know it'll fit. 2> It has a nice wire holder/jack panel.
I looked at the Draw Tite and Hidden Hitches (and many others). I like the design of the round tube ones that follow the contours of the vehicle better than I like the straight square hitch, but most (actually all that I saw) aftermarket hitches do not come with the wire holder/jack panel (yeah...I don't know what to call it)....I really really dislike having the wire hang down or to be tucked up underneath. This is my own personal preference and I realize that a holder doesnt add much (so not trying to bad talk those who don't care). Anyhow, I like the fact that the Mopar one came with the wire holder.
Also, I knew it'd fit. I've read many reviews about hitches not fitting the LJ as they were designed for the TJ. I get leary when they say they will fit both. But hey...that's me again...
Yes....eventually, I will migrate to an intergrated bumper/hitch with a tire carrier. But that's a couple of years down the road (and I'll sell this one when I upgrade to a fellow Jeeper for cheap). But I gotta make sure 100% what and how high I'm going before I invest. So for now, I stick with function...
Oh, and ya gotta love the 7 wire harness that the LJ gets from Mopar. Won't see that in many aftermarkets. Course it was a fun taking the harness to the engine compartment in addition to plugging a T in at the tail lights....but it all worked and gave me other ideas....LOL
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Post by salyers890 on Oct 15, 2005 16:14:50 GMT -5
speaking of wiring harness - where are you guys mounting your plugs? I mounted it to the frame underneath, but it's not accessible without an extension. is there anywhere accessible to most trailer harness plugs that's not hanging down?
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Post by nwquadriders on Oct 15, 2005 22:12:10 GMT -5
I just loop mine through the loops for the safety chains when I'm not towing...either that, or I tuck it up inside the hollow portion of the hitch plug....get a few zip ties and tie the rest of the wires in place...  |
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Post by wv4x4 on Nov 1, 2005 8:39:53 GMT -5
Bumper manufacturers are grossly understating their capacity, for legal reasons. They'll state 2,000 pounds for towing and 10,000 for recovery. That tells me lawyers overrule physics. I went the bumper route, because that tin foil stock bumper was ugly, weak, and worthless on the trail. Now I have the towing capacity for my 3,000 pound trailer and several more recovery points, so somebody can pull my butt out of the mud (like there's really mud in Arizona). The KOZ bumper is quoted at something like 2000 pounds for towing. It is 3/16 steel with through welds on the hitch, and is tied into the frame by 14 bolts. 2000 pounds my butt... How do you like KOZ's bumper? I've been thinking about buying that one! |
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Post by salyers890 on Nov 1, 2005 14:06:30 GMT -5
I installed an aftermarket hitch harness plug box on my round tube hitch. . . it's secure and doesn't look bad. If anyone's interested I'll post a pic. cost 5 bucks at etrailer.com I think.
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Post by treeofliberty on Nov 1, 2005 17:34:37 GMT -5
Bumper manufacturers are grossly understating their capacity, for legal reasons. They'll state 2,000 pounds for towing and 10,000 for recovery. That tells me lawyers overrule physics. I went the bumper route, because that tin foil stock bumper was ugly, weak, and worthless on the trail. Now I have the towing capacity for my 3,000 pound trailer and several more recovery points, so somebody can pull my butt out of the mud (like there's really mud in Arizona). The KOZ bumper is quoted at something like 2000 pounds for towing. It is 3/16 steel with through welds on the hitch, and is tied into the frame by 14 bolts. 2000 pounds my butt... How do you like KOZ's bumper? I've been thinking about buying that one! I like it alot. I've towed our camper with it to Colorado with no problems. I've used it for a number of recoveries, and to "relocated" a fallen pine tree, again with no issues. And we've come down on it hard a few times, with nothing more than surface scratches. It's a great bumper that's well made. |
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Post by nwquadriders on Nov 2, 2005 11:46:58 GMT -5
Tim,
On the KOZ bumper, how did the install go??? I'm about ready to ditch my hitch and get my departure angle back. I'm thinking about the KOZ bumper. Does it have tabs for the safety chains? On another note, did you keep the Bestop tire carrier?? How are you liking it? I'm thinking I'll just go with the bumper for now and when I go to 33" tires that I'll go with the Bestop carrier. It's either that, or dump $600 (or more) on a carrier/bumper combo right now...which is probably the right answer, I'm just wondering if I'd be kicking myself in the butt later for just going with a bumper now. Is the Bestop Carrier good, or would you have done it another way???
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