Meet "Belynda"


Curt Class III Hitch Receiver #13408
For: 2003 TJ with Jeep Tube Bumpers.
Time: 45 Minutes (once you get all the tools, I had to go get some new allen wrenchs)

WARNINGS

• Working around Tailpipe - make sure it is cool before starting work.

Tools Needed:

• Rachet
• 3/4 Socket (deep prefer) - for Front Hitch Nuts, Driver side
• 3/4 Wrench - for Front Hitch Nuts, Passenger side
• 5/8 Socket - for Back Hitch Bolts
• 14mm Socket (deep prefer) - for Tube Bumper Nuts
• 7/32 Allen Wrench - to hold Tube Bumper Bolt
• Fishwire - came with Hitch, pretty nice

Before, without Hitch Receiver:


Before, Driver side frame immediately in front of bumper:


Before, Passanger side


Hitch Receiver kit:


Rear Carriage Bolt and Spacer with fishwire attached:


STEPS:

1. Bumper must be loosened before working the Hitch Receiver in place. Bolts on the Tube Bumper that need to be loosed are the ones parallel with the bumper it self (left to right). Both sides of the bumper must be loosened. Left side shown here (Bolts not easily seen here).
   
   
   
2. Underneath looking up to where bumper is attached. Need 14mm Socket and 7/32 Allen to loosen.
   
   
   
3. Another shot of the bolts that need to loosened. Here they are loosened up.
   
   
   
4. Loosened Bumper, ready to lift Hitch in place.
   
   
   
5. This picture demonstrates how to use the fishwire; HOWEVER, on the 2003, do not follow the instructions with the kit. The access hole they mention is way to small for the Carriage Bolt. I used the same hole that the Carriage Bolt and Space will be used to attach the Hitch Receiver. Just enough room to wiggle the bolt through and hold firm with the fishwire.
   
   
   
6. Here the Carriage Bolt and Spacer are in place, I snaked the other end of the fishwire through the appropriate hole in the Hitch Receiver so that the Hitch does not push the bolt back in the frame when pushed up.
   
   
   
7. Since I did this as a one-man job, I used the tailpipe to hold the Passenger Side up while I lifted and hand tighened the Driver side.
   
   
   
8. Here the Driver side is up and both bolts hand tightened. I started by lifting it up and hand starting the Rear (Top of picture here) and then working with the fishwire, I hand started the Front bolt. Once both started, just tighten down hand tight.
   
   
   
9. Next, do the Passenger Side. Hand start; then crank down. On this side, I had to switch to a 3/4 Wrench on the Front (On the Right in this picture) because the Deep Socket I was using wouldnt fit inbetween the bolt and the tailpipe.
   
   
   
10. Crank down Driver side. Go back and recheck tightness of Hitch Reciever Bolts on both sides. Once Hitch is cleared. Play with Tube Bumper and get it back in place, then crank down. And here yea go:
    
    
    

The shop didnt have the wiring harness, so that will come next week.

Comments, questions, whatever?! Send to jeep@tcbader.com