Installing Hitch Reciever?

[danols15]

Hello,

I am installing a Hitch Reciever onto my 1990 Jeep Cherokee. I need some help-- I can't figure out how to get the bolts inside of the frame. If anyone knows how to get the bolts inside, or has done this to thier XJs, any input would be appreciated.

[Ray H]

There are a couple of options. You can get ahold of a couple nutstrips. these are strips of metal with nuts welded to them, they fit inside the frame rails. This is what the factory does to mount hitches and fuel tank skids.
The other option is to use lag bolts and backer plates. The bolts go in the frame. Sometimes they will have a piece of wire welded to them so you can fish them into place. The plates have a square hole in them and they are large enough that they wont spin inside the frame while you tighten the nuts. You can get this hardware from Uhaul or most other places that install hitches.
If you use nutstrips, you will need to remove the rear bumper to access the end of the frame rail. If you use bolts with wire on them, you can manage to fish them with the rear bumper in place but it aint easy.

[danols15]

Thank you for all of your information!

Are either of these options more sturdy? Which way would you use?

[Ray H]

Originally Posted by danols15

Thank you for all of your information!

Are either of these options more sturdy? Which way would you use?

Ive used both methods and they both work fine. I had Uhaul install my hitch ten years ago, they used carriage bolts and plates and it worked fine until last year when I removed my hitch to clean it up and install a gas tank skid. Every one of the carriage bolts broke as I was removing them.
My skid came with nutstrips so I used those when I reinstalled everything. I think the nutstrips are a nicer, cleaner installation but I cant say they are stronger.
The main thing is to use the proper grade of bolt and to use some kind of backer plate up inside the frame so the bolts dont pull through.
The nutstrips are a dealer or salvage yard item only and are expensive from the dealer. They also require grade 10 metric hardware which is not easy to find (at least around here).
The backer plates and carriage bolts can be found at hitch install places and wont be near as expensive as nutstrips.