Hitch bolt holes

[bwtucker]

I purchased a class 3 hitch today and attempted to install it. I just wanted to verify the bolt size and pitch. The hitch came with M12 - 1.75 x 40mm. The bolts do not want to thread in. They will if I force them but I don't want to crossthread the holes. The jeep is an '02 and there is a lot of surface rust but they should still go. I sprayed so PB blaster in to break up the rust but to no avail. I have a tap that I can use to clean the holes out but I want to make sure I have the right thread pitch first.

Secondly, the hitch I bought only has 2 mounting holes on either side as oppposed to the 3 holes that the drawtights generally have. It is a Putnam brand. I would think that having less mounting holes would lessen the capacity of the hitch but it says 5000lbs. I will never tow anything near that but it would be nice to know I could without the hitch ripping off.

I am new to the whole 4x4 and towing scene so any information that you guys have would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[ShafferNY]

check this out

http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35213

 

[bwtucker]

awesome!, thanks, i should have searched a little more, when I typed in hitch bolts a lot of posts popped up.

 

[ShafferNY]

I've got a hitch that I'll be installing soon too. I knew I read it somewhere just recently.

When my brother-in-law and I put tow hooks on my sister's KJ they were a really pain. They didn't want to thread in at all.

I may get a tap to run through them first when I install the hitch on my KJ.

 

[bwtucker]

I ran the tap through today and put the hitch on. It went great once the holes were tapped.

 

[ShafferNY]

I put my Curt class III on today. I didn't have a tap and I figured I probably wouldn't be able to find one in this small town. I took a nail, bent it over and used the point to scrap out the first few thread so I could get the bolts started.

Once I got them started I took my time. I just keep working them back and forth 1/8 of a turn at a time. I kept them extremely well lubed with WD-40(wal-mart version). I kept pulling them out to make sure I wasn't messing up the threads. By the time I was done I had four clean holes and I could put the bolts in with my fingers. I was suprised at how well it went. It took me about 2 hours to clean the bolt holes out though.

I'd like to put a front hitch on the front at some point, but I think I'll find a tap before I attempt it though. I think I had a little bit of luck on my side this time. Things don't usually work that smoothly for me.

 

[tjkj2002]

I put my Curt class III on today. I didn't have a tap and I figured I probably wouldn't be able to find one in this small town. I took a nail, bent it over and used the point to scrap out the first few thread so I could get the bolts started.

Once I got them started I took my time. I just keep working them back and forth 1/8 of a turn at a time. I kept them extremely well lubed with WD-40(wal-mart version). I kept pulling them out to make sure I wasn't messing up the threads. By the time I was done I had four clean holes and I could put the bolts in with my fingers. I was suprised at how well it went. It took me about 2 hours to clean the bolt holes out though.

I'd like to put a front hitch on the front at some point, but I think I'll find a tap before I attempt it though. I think I had a little bit of luck on my side this time. Things don't usually work that smoothly for me.

No holes to tap if your going to install a front hitch,then again you will need to find a used front hitch since nobody makes them for a KJ anymore.

 

[ShafferNY]

Cool. That's good to know.

I honestly haven't looked at the front at all.

I plan on making my own hitch when I do put one on. I haven't even got into it yet.

I loved the front hitch that was on my '66 bronco. It made moving boats around really easy with the short wheel base.

It would be awesome if I could get it to tuck behind the front license plate and put a flip down mechanism on it. Like I said, I haven't even looked at the front end though so I really have no clue.

 

[04Liberty]

When I put mine on, it was a little stiff at first, then they zipped right on through!