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rockgod
Dodge Dakota
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11/13/2003
20:51:54
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 Subject: front hitch
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Message:
So what is the consensus on the best front receiver hitch these days? Any installed photos available?
Thanks.
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Greg
Dodge Dakota
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11/14/2003
14:23:42
| RE: front hitch
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I put the Draw-Tite on mine and it works great. There's a small reciver skid plate you can buy for about $25.00 and it tucks up behind the license plate holder. The whole thing bolt's up behind the bumper so you don't really lose any ground clearance. sorry no pics.
Greg
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rock god
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2003
00:10:28
| RE: front hitch
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Thanks for the info, Greg. Anyone out there tried the front mount hidden hitch?
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Levee
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2003
00:25:21
| RE: front hitch
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There were some pics posted WAY back, if you got time to search the archives. I can see if i got any saved. They looked good, all covered by the valance.
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Doug4.7
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2003
10:17:59
|  RE: front hitch
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Are any of these front mount hitches for 2WD models? I have an '03.
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rockgod
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2003
13:09:02
| RE: front hitch
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Everyone's feedback has been really helpful. I have to decide between Hidden Hitch and Draw Tite. I have the 03' metal skid plate option and wonder if that will be a factor. I can't find pictures and would sure like to see some if anyone can help. Thanks.
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irq3
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2003
19:16:20
| RE: front hitch
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I went with the "Hidden Hitch" brand for several reasons: the price, you don't have to cut the skid plate (see picture below) or remove the splash shield (as with the Drawtight). I did have to enlarge one of the holes in the skid plate to accommodate a larger carriage bolt. The only thing I had to get was 1/4" shims. They make it for models with and without the bumper brackets. (My truck did not have bumper brackets and the shims were not included with the hitch).
I purchased it from http://www.hitchmart.com for $100.00 and FREE shipping.
Here is the Hidden Hitch brand:
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/images/products/instructions/5018.pdf
Here is the Drawtight brand:
http://206.105.120.91/pdf/N65029.pdf
Here are someone else's pictures installed:
http://www.geocities.com/cjf7148/hitch1.html
http://orw.truckmoxie.com/mygallery.asp?id=3474&album=6990
(They apparently have updated the design of the Hidden Hitch because mine does not look exactly like this). I will try to get some pictures of mine.
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rockgod
Dodge Dakota
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11/18/2003
20:36:11
| RE: front hitch
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Thanks a million irq3 for the links to the great photos of the hitches! You found what I could not.
It seems as though the hidden hitch shows more under the truck than the draw tite. Ironic? It also looks like you have to remove the front license plate although I know they make a receiver plate mount. The pictures of the hitch digging in the ground when off road were something to think about also. Thanks again for all the trouble you went to!
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irq3
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2003
14:34:27
| RE: front hitch
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Here are my pictures. In the top picture, the hitch is not very noticeable unless you bend down and look under the truck. The receiver is "barely" noticeable (hidden behind the front license plate bracket).
In the bottom picture, notice how the skid plate mounts over the hitch on the left hand side and a 1/4" shim on the right hand side. It is necessary to enlarge the left hole in the skid plate to accommodate a larger carriage bolt. Removal of the splash shield is not necessary and you have full access to the oil filter access hole.
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99DAK
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2003
15:40:57
| RE: front hitch
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If anybody makes a front receiver for a 4x2 I sure couldn't find one. This maybe isn't the most elegant solution but it works.
I found a class III hitch with 36" mounting hole spacing (frame rails at the front of a GenIII 4x2 are spaced about 36" O.C.) for 25 bucks at a flea market. Definately not for the squeamish, had to hack up the lower valence a bit, but if I ever want to restore it to original I can get new plastic for <$100. Best part is I lost very little approach angle and no ground clearance.
If you have a 4x2 and want more details let me know.
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Doug4.7
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2003
16:47:10
|  RE: front hitch
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99DAK:
Yes! I am interested in more details. You did a great job, it looks very good (almost 'stock'). I am at "dmach at charter dot net" (in a pathetic attempt to fool the email harvest programs...).
My guess is I am not the only one, so I would suggest putting it up here on the Dakota site.
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rockgod
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2003
20:12:16
| RE: front hitch
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Thanks again irq3 for the photos. Your truck looks great! A very sanitary installation. Let's see...clear corners,dynamat, front hitch...it never ends!
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99DAK
Dodge Dakota
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11/19/2003
23:43:09
| RE: front hitch
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Doug4.7-
What you want is a hitch with a straight crossbar, it tucks very nicely up under the AC evaporator and just in front of the radiator cross member. The hitch also needs to have frame brackets that under-bolt to the bottom of the frame rails, not to the side, and they need to extend back far enough to get at least 2 bolts into the frame on each side. The bottom of the evaporator is about 2.5" lower than the bottom of the frame rails, I used stacks of 1/2" washers as spacers to add about 3/4" to get the right amount of drop (and make sure you use 1/2" Grade 5 or Grade 8 bolts). As far as width goes the bolt hole spacing on the hitch can be somewhere between 36"-40" and still catch the frame, but measure it and decide for yourself.
Before you remove the bumper, measure from the bottom edge to the ground, that'll give you a reference point when you have to start cutting the plastic valence after you have the thing mounted (cut the notch out for the receiver tube first and go from there).
Hope most if this makes sense, if not let me know and I'll try to clarify.
BTW, I did this for a winch mount, is that your purpose?
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Doug4.7
Dodge Dakota
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11/20/2003
08:12:52
|  RE: front hitch
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That gives me enough to start. Once I pull the bummber off, you might hear from me again. I wanted to be able to move my trailer around my yard. Not a lot of weight for short periods of time. Thanks for the detail.
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bumper
Dodge Dakota
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11/21/2003
02:42:17
| RE: front hitch
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bumpage
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rockgod
Dodge Dakota
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11/21/2003
22:32:01
| RE: front hitch
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I ordered my hidden hitch front receiver today. I also ordered the draw tite receiver skid plate. I'm letting a long time local shop install it for $50.
Total cost is $95 for hitch, $23 for skid plate and $50 labor. Thanks to everyone who helped , especially irq3. This forum is a great source of information. I hope I can return the favor.
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cool
Dodge Dakota
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11/21/2003
22:34:54
| RE: front hitch
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Yeah, it's a good site, but most of the time you have to wade thru the crap that the losers post to get to the real info.
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