Tow hitch recommendation

[nctom]

Hi,

I'm a brand new 1977 CJ7 owner - on the truck being delivered as we speak. I want to pull a small trailer for hauling firewood. Anybody have an opinion on towing gear - who to avoid, who to buy?

Thanks!

 

[CJ]

Does it not have a factory hitch? It should work just fine for you.

BTW - :ww: to the site!

 

[Scooteryeti]

Does it not have a factory hitch? It should work just fine for you.

BTW - :ww: to the site!

How can I lower a factory hitch? The trailer is level at 18". My factory hitch is at 21" before I do an SOA.

 

[Cheepjeep85]

i don't think you can do it safely, a hidden hitch, valley or other receiver style hitch will allow you to buy drop hitches to fit in the 2" receiver. you do have the curved drop hitch that bolts to the underside of the cross member don't you? if so i wouldn't try anything with it, those are pretty light duty hitches and wouldn't take modification well.

 

[Scooteryeti]

I was thinking the same thing, but I can't find a 2" receiver that will fit because I have the 20 gal gas tank. My father has a Reese hitch for a GMC, but I'm not to sure I can modify it. My friend is certified welder so puting it back together is no problem just a lot of work. Buying a bolt on for 200.00 sounds easier but I can't find one.

Anybody know of a bolt on 2" receiver that fits closely to the frame width of a CJ7

 

[Busted Knuckles]

Hi,

I'm a brand new 1977 CJ7 owner - on the truck being delivered as we speak. I want to pull a small trailer for hauling firewood. Anybody have an opinion on towing gear - who to avoid, who to buy?

Thanks!

Take a hard look at the back inner corners of your frame, and where the back crossmember is attached to the frame, check for rust you cant see from the outside. In other words, make sure the back of the frame assembly is not rotted. They all rot back there at some point, I would not be surprised to hear you post you lost your trailer and hitch... I realize your way south of me, but they all rust, just faster up here.

 

[Cheepjeep85]

will either of these work for you?
Jeep CJ7 Hitches - JCWhitney
Hidden Hitch 1977 Jeep CJ-7 Trailer Hitch | etrailer.com

 

[Scooteryeti]

will either of these work for you?
Jeep CJ7 Hitches - JCWhitney
Hidden Hitch 1977 Jeep CJ-7 Trailer Hitch | etrailer.com

Thanks. I think I'll try the one from JCWhitney because of the guarantee.
The one from etrailer won't fit with a 20 gal gas tank.

 

[mylittlecj5]

I was thinking the same thing, but I can't find a 2" receiver that will fit because I have the 20 gal gas tank. My father has a Reese hitch for a GMC, but I'm not to sure I can modify it. My friend is certified welder so puting it back together is no problem just a lot of work. Buying a bolt on for 200.00 sounds easier but I can't find one.

Anybody know of a bolt on 2" receiver that fits closely to the frame width of a CJ7

If you have a friend with a welder, its not that hard to build a rear bumper and add a receiver hitch into it.
I would check the rear frame for rust as mentioned earlier, and tie the new bumper to the frame in a few spots with tie plates.

 

[CJim7]

If you have a friend with a welder, its not that hard to build a rear bumper and add a receiver hitch into it.
I would check the rear frame for rust as mentioned earlier, and tie the new bumper to the frame in a few spots with tie plates.

That's exactly what I would do

 

[Scooteryeti]

If you have a friend with a welder, its not that hard to build a rear bumper and add a receiver hitch into it.
I would check the rear frame for rust as mentioned earlier, and tie the new bumper to the frame in a few spots with tie plates.

My friend can weld it, He has a 275 amp tig machine. Its finding the steel and cutting it to fit. I don't have a chop saw or a torch to cut the pieces.

I don't see any rust anywhere on the frame. The inside has a 1/4" of dirt, But the inside of the frame feels smooth. I'll blow it out and stick a mirror in there to make sure.

I was hoping to place the receiver mounts in front of the shackle mounts or do most Jeeps tie into the frame and then put the shackles back on top of the 1/4" or 3/16" thick receiver mount plate.