Mounting a Reese Hitch on a 2001 XLT

Falco51 · #1 02-13-2010, 04:50 PM

I'm gonna be getting a brand new Class III reese hitch later this week. i've never installed a hitch before and i was just wondering how to install it/ how difficult it is. any help would be awesome.

STL · #2 02-13-2010, 05:41 PM

Installation instructions.
http://www.reeseprod.com/fitguides/pdf/N44101.pdf

Falco51 · #3 02-13-2010, 06:58 PM

thanks man. question. now does my truck have the holes already there? or will i have to drill them myself? just wonderin.

STL · #4 02-13-2010, 07:12 PM

Should already have them there.

Falco51 · #5 02-13-2010, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STL

Should already have them there.

good to hear. well good to read. haha.

STL · #6 02-13-2010, 07:58 PM

I just dont see why they wouldnt be there. Ur truck has the option for the hitch from factory so they make them all the same. if that makes sense. hahaha

RangerJustin · #7 02-14-2010, 10:35 PM

Installed one on 3 diff Rangers. Get some WD40 or PB Blaster and spray the bolts that are currently in there since you will have to take them out and put them back in. Also on the driver's side there is a bolt you will have to twist out of the way (it will take a good amount of muscle) as it has this oblong shape to it that gets in the way of the mounting rails. Just a heads up.

dixie_boysles · #8 02-15-2010, 05:36 AM

^^^what he said, especially on the exhaust side! You will have to relocate bumper brackets that mount to corner of back bumpers. Thats wasy one you get the bolts off. The hardest part is fighting gravity. When i put mine on, i found it best to go agead and put the hitch brackets on first then put the middle of the hitch together and then mount it to the brackets. If you try to put the whole hitch together and put it up there all as one piece, its will be difficult and heavy.

blueovelboy · #9 02-15-2010, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dixie_boysles

^^^what he said, especially on the exhaust side! You will have to relocate bumper brackets that mount to corner of back bumpers. Thats wasy one you get the bolts off. The hardest part is fighting gravity. When i put mine on, i found it best to go agead and put the hitch brackets on first then put the middle of the hitch together and then mount it to the brackets. If you try to put the whole hitch together and put it up there all as one piece, its will be difficult and heavy.

reese is a one pice hitch no?

dixie_boysles · #10 02-15-2010, 08:40 AM

My Reese class three wasn't, its adjustible, so it bolts together. Its two brackets, one center piece and two side pieces that slide into center piece and bolt into place

RangerJustin · #11 02-15-2010, 08:56 AM

I only had one pieces. Helps to have someone there to help you. But I did 1 of them by myself.

blueovelboy · #12 02-15-2010, 08:11 PM

class three i thought had to be one piece do to the weight it could handle but i could be way off on that it might be class five that has to be solid one piece

dixie_boysles · #13 02-15-2010, 08:22 PM

All I can say is I got the reesze hitch from walmart for $120. Its not for a single vehicle, it can fit any small pickup depending on the bracket u use. The box said class three and bolted together. I let it go with my old truck though

blueovelboy · #14 02-15-2010, 08:43 PM

hay i belive you scott. just i have never seen a class three that was not a one piece is all i was saying.

dixie_boysles · #15 02-15-2010, 08:46 PM

No biggie man, the only thing I cab figure is ya'll got the one made for a ranger and I had the multi application one.