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  #1  
Old 03-16-2011, 08:43 AM
Slater Slater is offline
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Angry Reese Hitch Installation Help

I am trying to install this reese hitch
http://www.autoaccessoriesgarage.com...r-confirmation
On my 2001 Ford Ranger but have run into a few problems. Attached are some images below if they may help at all. Ive got a bumper on the back. In the installation instructions it looks like the bracket that the hitch connects to is flat and it seems pretty straight forward for attaching in the instructions. Possibly need to drill a few holes. In my case, there are already bolts in all the spots where I think the hitch should be connected and even if I would take the bolts off and reconnect them (not sure if that would screw anything up), the front part of the hitch hits the spare tire, maybe needs another inch to clear (instructions state that this installation does not require relocation of spare tire.) Drilling holes isn't an option because there would be no way it would fit around the current bolt installation. Any ideas or experience from anybody with this? I just realized looking at the pictures of the product online and looking at the pictures of what was sent, my hitch looks a little bit different. Not sure if this matters.









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  #2  
Old 03-16-2011, 08:45 AM
dixie_boysles dixie_boysles is offline
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Default Re: Reese Hitch Installation Help

I installed one of the adjustable reese hitches and it fit perfect on the Ranger, not sure about yours though
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  #3  
Old 03-16-2011, 08:54 AM
pcityranger pcityranger is offline
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Default Re: Reese Hitch Installation Help

there should be washers to help clear the spare, and there should be NO drilling, get a partner and drop the bumper and then put the new bolts thru the holes thru the hitch and bumper and bolt up. Its way easier when you have someone holding the other side while u bolt one end up.
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  #4  
Old 03-16-2011, 09:03 AM
Slater Slater is offline
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Default Re: Reese Hitch Installation Help

Quote:
Originally Posted by pcityranger View Post
there should be washers to help clear the spare, and there should be NO drilling, get a partner and drop the bumper and then put the new bolts thru the holes thru the hitch and bumper and bolt up. Its way easier when you have someone holding the other side while u bolt one end up.
Yea that thing is HEAVY! I saw the spacers, but I honestly doubt they will help clear it. I will check again when I get home. So what you are saying is take out the bolts that are currently in place on the frame where the hitch should butt up to? Then put the spacers and new bolts in? I should be left with the old bolts then? I ran as many ideas as I could through my head, but I didn't want to start taking bolts out and screw something up.
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  #5  
Old 03-16-2011, 10:06 AM
dixie_boysles dixie_boysles is offline
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Default Re: Reese Hitch Installation Help

yeah you should be left with the old bolts, that is how mine mounted. It mounted in the same bolt holes that the rear bumper bolts to the frame
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2014 F150 SuperCrew XLT 4x4
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Sold/Totaled: 2006 Ranger XLT 2D SuperCap 4x4 Torch Red
15x8 Pacer 164P Polished Wheels | 31x10.50 BFG ATs | Level II Tow Hooks | FX4 Red Insert Seats
Tinted Windows | 6000K HIDs | Kobalt Low Profile Toolbox | Pioneer Speakers
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  #6  
Old 03-16-2011, 07:28 PM
Falco51 Falco51 is offline
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Default Re: Reese Hitch Installation Help

yeah i just put one on my truck not to long ago. it's not hard. you don't have to completely take your bumper off. so it's not hard. it took about 15 minutes to put mine on.
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  #7  
Old 03-16-2011, 07:59 PM
darkstar_420 darkstar_420 is offline
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Default Re: Reese Hitch Installation Help

i had trouble with mine, lower the spare, helps alot. then use a sledge hammer to get the hitch into place
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  #8  
Old 03-16-2011, 09:39 PM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Re: Reese Hitch Installation Help

my hitch touches my spare...put it on see what happens

----------

take off ur spare leave the bumper alone UNLESS it really doesnt clear the bumpeer then u should get a plate and put it bertween the hitch and frame
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  #9  
Old 03-18-2011, 12:09 PM
Slater Slater is offline
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Default Re: Reese Hitch Installation Help

Update:
I did get the hitch on last night with some blood, sweat, but no tears!!!!
Bolts were rusted on good, so after an impact wrench and some brute force, two bolts came off, but the other two had to have the torch taken to. After that, the hitch still would not fit into place properly, because of the spare. After loosening it, it did fall down a bit and I could push it to the side just enough and re-tighten it. After that the hitch went right up, just slightly touching the spare, but there should be enough space to get the spare down if I ever need to . Thanks guys, I think I was just afraid to take too much off as stubborn as everything wanted to be.
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  #10  
Old 03-18-2011, 12:11 PM
dixie_boysles dixie_boysles is offline
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Default Re: Reese Hitch Installation Help

Good job, we knew you would get it!
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2014 F150 SuperCrew XLT 4x4
275/65/17 Falken Wildpeak AT3W | Shorty Antenna | Tinted Windows | ProClip Phone Mount |5.0 v8 |Tow Package | Oxford White


Sold/Totaled: 2006 Ranger XLT 2D SuperCap 4x4 Torch Red
15x8 Pacer 164P Polished Wheels | 31x10.50 BFG ATs | Level II Tow Hooks | FX4 Red Insert Seats
Tinted Windows | 6000K HIDs | Kobalt Low Profile Toolbox | Pioneer Speakers
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  #11  
Old 03-18-2011, 12:13 PM
HazardousRanger HazardousRanger is offline
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Default Re: Reese Hitch Installation Help

Quote:
Originally Posted by Slater View Post
Update:
I did get the hitch on last night with some blood, sweat, but no tears!!!!
Bolts were rusted on good, so after an impact wrench and some brute force, two bolts came off, but the other two had to have the torch taken to. After that, the hitch still would not fit into place properly, because of the spare. After loosening it, it did fall down a bit and I could push it to the side just enough and re-tighten it. After that the hitch went right up, just slightly touching the spare, but there should be enough space to get the spare down if I ever need to . Thanks guys, I think I was just afraid to take too much off as stubborn as everything wanted to be.
there ya go lol my spare touches too cuz its a hidden tube hitch so.... lol its fine but i do regularly inspect it to make sure that the hitch isnt causing problems w the spare but it doenst touch that much but id check too id hate for ur spare to get lumpy lol
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Ford Ranger Edge Supercab, 2004 3.0 Auto, 2WD, 4.10 Axle 31x10.5x15 BF Goodrich All Terrain T/A KO's


My Truck Is My Mountain Bike's Ride!

Class III hitch, Rhino Bedliner, Almost Maxed T-Bar Crank, Tuff Country Add A Leaf, Custom Low Anchor Points, OEM ('99) Tow Hooks, Pro Comp Offroad Lights , Mustang Dome Light, Clear Corners, Slim Toolbox, Blinker Mod,Cargo Brake Light Mod,Expo Lighted Visors, Ultra Silverstar heads/fogs, Fog/high mod, Reverse/switched lights, Bike Fork Mounts
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  #12  
Old 03-18-2011, 12:14 PM
Slater Slater is offline
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Default Re: Reese Hitch Installation Help

Quote:
Originally Posted by Falco51 View Post
yeah i just put one on my truck not to long ago. it's not hard. you don't have to completely take your bumper off. so it's not hard. it took about 15 minutes to put mine on.
BTW it took about 1.5 hours putting mine on. Probably because I kept dancing around the idea of bringing out the torch and kept trying force, but it was inevitable.
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2001 ranger, hitch, installation, reese

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