Curt hitch receiver and Rubicon rear steel bumper

[stingrey]

Problem solved...thanks to post 3 below.

Has anyone, with a rear steel bumper, installed the Curt #13434 hitch receiver?
The instructions are clear. Fish the spacer and mounting bolt through the hitch mount tube. But the bumper bolt are in the way and preventing pulling all the way through.
Here is a picture looking up at it. I have the bumper bolt removed on the left and I am pointing to the bumper bolt, still in place, on the right.
Even when removed, there is still a deep threaded nut welded inside the pipe acting as an obstruction to pulling a bolt and spacer past.
I think Curt may not be aware the steel bumper mounts different.
I am missing something here.

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[JTzntz]

I literally just installed this with a steel bumper, but my Sport S only had the plastic bumper from the factory (no nutserts). The hex nutserts I added AFTER fishing the bolts/plates for that reason. I thought that it would get in the way if the nutserts were there.

the good news is that the nutserts are $3/$4 each at the stealership and can be drilled out to facilitate the bolt/plate fishing for the Curt hitch receiver. Then after the curt install, reinstall new hex nutserts for the bumper.

I had to drill out a hex nutsert that I stripped when installing the OE front metal skid brackets. I used a 1/2” bit. Didn’t want to go bigger in case it ate up some of the hex opening that keeps the nutsert from turning when you set it.

Here is the part number for the hex nutserts: 06511076AA

hope this helps!

 

[HoustonGobi]

I just installed one on our JTR a couple weeks ago since the Mopar hitch was backordered until September..

Just stick a flat head screwdriver up through the nutsert and push the fish wire up. Once you push up on the fish wire the bolt and washer will slide right past the nutsert. Piece of cake. A small hooked or right angle pick also works well.

 

[JTzntz]

Sounds even easier!

 

[stingrey]

Thanks @HoustonGobi , that did the trick.

 

[HoustonGobi]

Thanks @HoustonGobi , that did the trick.

No problem. Glad it helped out.

 

[sail2xxs]

I just installed one on our JTR a couple weeks ago since the Mopar hitch was backordered until September..

Just stick a flat head screwdriver up through the nutsert and push the fish wire up. Once you push up on the fish wire the bolt and washer will slide right past the nutsert. Piece of cake. A small hooked or right angle pick also works well.

Thanks for posting this! I installed the Curt hitch last night in just under half an hour (not counting the run to Home Depot for a 1/2" hex) following your suggestion.

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