OEM gas tank skid with hitch?
#1
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
OEM gas tank skid with hitch?
Anybody using the OEM gas tank skid and also have a hitch? If so, can you describe how you mounted them both since they share the same mounting holes in the frame rail? What modifications were needed? Pics would be super!
#2
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heres my 85 cherokee chief with the skid and hitch, i got it this way and never really used the hitch besides pulling a couple small shrubs for my mom
the more i look at it, it looks homemade haha but there is 4 bolts to the bumper (the plate is actually angle iron that goes up behind the bumper
this is behind the gas tank, there is a bolt through the unibody on each side (looking more and more like a homemade hitch)
the skid looks like it is taking place of the hitch bolts... i am wondering if the previous owner ran into the same problem as you and just made it this way. Glad this is just my parts jeep now haha I dont know if this is gonna help you or not. i can take more pics if you still need
the more i look at it, it looks homemade haha but there is 4 bolts to the bumper (the plate is actually angle iron that goes up behind the bumper
this is behind the gas tank, there is a bolt through the unibody on each side (looking more and more like a homemade hitch)
the skid looks like it is taking place of the hitch bolts... i am wondering if the previous owner ran into the same problem as you and just made it this way. Glad this is just my parts jeep now haha I dont know if this is gonna help you or not. i can take more pics if you still need
#3
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Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
I don't know how much it'll help you, or if you can change the letters in the search to get what you need but a life saver of info for my WJ is the following site. Search: WJJeep.com Click the top listing that comes up.
Under Main menu go to trailer... it'll show you anything you need including hitch & skid plate mounting. Trailer hitch using two of same bolts on each side. I don't know how to link it for you. Hitch mounts on top of skid plate flange. Exploded view shown.
Under Main menu go to trailer... it'll show you anything you need including hitch & skid plate mounting. Trailer hitch using two of same bolts on each side. I don't know how to link it for you. Hitch mounts on top of skid plate flange. Exploded view shown.
Last edited by ol"blue; 03-16-2009 at 04:48 PM.
#4
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Year: 1996
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Thanks, I appreciate the pics. Yeah, that hitch is a different setup than normal, maybe homemade, I don't know. But that skid is OEM I'm pretty sure. That third pic is a good shot of how it mounts, thanks.
So the question is, can the skid share the mounting bolts with the hitch and not compromise the strength of the hitch? I'm thinking about giving it a try. Anybody done this?
So the question is, can the skid share the mounting bolts with the hitch and not compromise the strength of the hitch? I'm thinking about giving it a try. Anybody done this?
#5
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Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I don't know how much it'll help you, or if you can change the letters in the search to get what you need but a life saver of info for my WJ is the following site. Search: WJJeep.com Click the top listing that comes up.
Under Main menu go to trailer... it'll show you anything you need including hitch & skid plate mounting. Trailer hitch using two of same bolts on each side. I don't know how to link it for you. Hitch mounts on top of skid plate flange. Exploded view shown.
Under Main menu go to trailer... it'll show you anything you need including hitch & skid plate mounting. Trailer hitch using two of same bolts on each side. I don't know how to link it for you. Hitch mounts on top of skid plate flange. Exploded view shown.
#6
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Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
I don't know how much it'll help you, or if you can change the letters in the search to get what you need but a life saver of info for my WJ is the following site. Search: WJJeep.com Click the top listing that comes up.
Under Main menu go to trailer... it'll show you anything you need including hitch & skid plate mounting. Trailer hitch using two of same bolts on each side. I don't know how to link it for you. Hitch mounts on top of skid plate flange. Exploded view shown.
Under Main menu go to trailer... it'll show you anything you need including hitch & skid plate mounting. Trailer hitch using two of same bolts on each side. I don't know how to link it for you. Hitch mounts on top of skid plate flange. Exploded view shown.
#7
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Year: 2000
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I have the hitch and stock gas tank skid mounted to the same blot holes. Basically it goes Skid then tow hitch then on the passenger side the exhaust hanger comes last...
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#9
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Year: 2004
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See if I can download this pic. Can't believe it worked! The skid plate is attached, and it shows the plates' holes where the bolts were removed, to be used for hitch attachment- along with other hitch bolts.
Last edited by ol"blue; 04-02-2009 at 08:36 AM.
#11
I pulled a factory hitch and skid off an '89 this morning. It didn't appear to have ever been messed with before. It had the hitch on the frame rail and the skid below it. So hitch then skid for an 89 w/OEM pieces at least. BTW: the factory hitch is WAY beefier than any other hitch I've ever seen look for one of those...
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
In my vehicle, I installed an OEM gas tank skid and a class III hitch of unknown brand (junkyard pull). Both the gas tank skid and hitch were of very typical design. At first, I tried installing the gas tank skid "under" the hitch (order from top -> down at mount point being vehicle, skid, hitch) to no avail. I looked at the gas tank a bit and you can see that the sides bow out a slight bit in a sideways-A type shape. This shape is to allow for the skidplate to fit "under" the hitch. (order being vehicle, hitch, skid). Now this makes much more sense as it allows you to install both the hitch and the skidplate individually, with no need to hold the other in place (you can bolt the hitch in place and then add the skidplate later without needing to remove the hitch or have to support it.). Also, mounting these in the order vehicle, hitch, skid allows for the skidplate and hitch to have smooth mounting surfaces (good for when either one have to take a strain...such as hitting a rock or pulling someone.). The skidplate took quite a bit of "coaxing" to slide in place...I had to lift it up with a floor jack in order to talk it into sliding over the hitch, but the installation definitely only worked that one way.
The skidplate and the hitch both share the same mounting bolts, which are 18mm 109-strength bolts and does not comprimise strength at all. With a little looking, you should be able to find all required hardware in a junkyard....don't forget the nut strips (pictured above) which may be pop-riveted in place. The pop-rivets should be easily breakable with a little coaxing.
I'll take more pictures of my setup tomorrow.
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