Getting bolts inside frame rails

[SCRon]

First off, I'm a newbie at working on my jeep so don't laugh too hard. I'm putting a hitch receiver on a '95 XJ Sport. The most forward holes in the hitch receiver are supposed to bolt into the frame rail holes just in front of the rubber muffler hanger. Is there a trick to getting the bolts or nuts the two feet or so into the end of the rails to reach the holes? This is also going to be an issue when I remove & replace the bolts in the rubber muffler hanger. Thanks for any replies.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by SCRon

First off, I'm a newbie at working on my jeep so don't laugh too hard. I'm putting a hitch receiver on a '95 XJ Sport. The most forward holes in the hitch receiver are supposed to bolt into the frame rail holes just in front of the rubber muffler hanger. Is there a trick to getting the bolts or nuts the two feet or so into the end of the rails to reach the holes? This is also going to be an issue when I remove & replace the bolts in the rubber muffler hanger. Thanks for any replies.

Okay, I'm just kidding.
All these hitches come new with two long (18 inch or so) strips of steel, about an inch wide or so, with 3 nuts welded to it.
You remove the back bumper and slide it into the boxed 'frame rail' part of the unit body. You can line up the 3 nuts with the 3 existing holes on each side of the gas tank, then bolt the hitch on.
If your hitch is used or does not have one, get an installation kit from the dealer or aftermarket hitch retailer. If you just use bolts and washers, the hitch may tear itself loose (the bolts will pull through. The thin steel of the 'frame rail' needs the long metal strip to better spread the load.

[SCRon]

Thanks MagicRat! You've probably saved me some future grief. It's a used hitch so I had no idea about the strips with welded nuts.

[gtmud]

You will also have to probably remove your exhaust bracket to install the hitch, then reattach after hitch is in place. I put an Hide-A-hitch Class III on my 00 XJ. Recommend getting the install kit, saves you allot of grief, and you don't have to remove the bumper. Good luck.

[papaspoonjr]

Just installed a hitch on my jeep and to get the bolts inside the frame and through the holes, I used a piece of fairly thick gage wire, coiled around the end of the bolt. Slip the wire through the holes and pull the bolt into place.

[Saudade]

You could also hot glue them to something like a paint stirrer. Use it to hold the nut in place while you get it started.

[SCRon]

Thanks all! I bought a gas tank skid plate and it came with the backing plate (nut strip) I needed to properly install the hitch receiver.