Front hitch receiver

[eaglerugby04]

I used the 20 foot extension kit to install another battery at the back of the truck. The winch is powered by it, and AUX2 operates a relay that controls power to the winch. I use a Cole Hersee Smart Isolator (like used in the Genesis Dual Battery kit) to connect the batteries together.

Yes, the Warn cables are expensive. I looked at some of the generic cables, but the cost difference wasn't enough for me to hassle with going that route.

Makes sense to me, buy once cry once. Just crazy to think adding up the bill I think all the install parts total to way more than the winch itself.

This is a really sweet setup you have going.

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[Mr._Bill]

Makes sense to me, buy once cry once. Just crazy to think adding up the bill I think all the install parts total to way more than the winch itself.

This is a really sweet setup you have going.

It is an expensive install, but not bad considering the end result includes a triple battery setup and a removable winch. I'll have to add it up, but I think it only came out to a few hundred more than the cost of the Genesis dual battery kit.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The Curt Receiver is a bolt on option. It interferes with the front air dam, but it includes instructions to cut the air dam so it can be reinstalled. It does interfere with the front skid plate on the Rubicon. I don't know if it can be easily modified to fit back on over the receiver. The Curt instructions don't address that.

The receiver is a Curt 31086.
The winch carrier is a Curt 31009.

I've not looked hard - but what fasteners are used to attach the air dam to the JT? I know there's a screw at each end but along the front edge - POM rivets, or what? I guess I go out and lay on the cold concrete and take a look!

 

[Mkcagle]

I've not looked hard - but what fasteners are used to attach the air dam to the JT? I know there's a screw at each end but along the front edge - POM rivets, or what? I guess I go out and lay on the cold concrete and take a look!

2 part plastic push pins

 

[Mr._Bill]

I've not looked hard - but what fasteners are used to attach the air dam to the JT? I know there's a screw at each end but along the front edge - POM rivets, or what? I guess I go out and lay on the cold concrete and take a look!

Plastic push pins attach the front edge of the air dam to the bottom back edge of the bumper. I can't remember, it's either eight or ten of them. The two bolts secure the back end. When installing the front receiver, the fasteners the bolts screw into have to be transferred from the factory metal plate to the metal mounting brackets supplied with the receiver.

 

[Whiplash2130]

I’m looking for a 2 inch front hitch receiver capable of flat towing 8000 pounds. Anyone make such an animal?

 

[Mr._Bill]

I’m looking for a 2 inch front hitch receiver capable of flat towing 8000 pounds. Anyone make such an animal?

It's doubtful, since the Jeep isn't even rated to tow that much weight. Curt may have something for other vehicles.

For the Jeep, the Curt 31086 is rated for 3500lb gross trailer weight, or 9000lb straight-line pull. The way it attaches to the end of the front frame, I don't think you'll find anything better.
https://www.curtmfg.com/part/31086

 

[Mkcagle]

I’m looking for a 2 inch front hitch receiver capable of flat towing 8000 pounds. Anyone make such an animal?

The Draw- Tite is rated at 9000 pounds, you will have to decide how you want to manage that on the front of a JT. I do not know what the JT front max tow weight capability is.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

2 part plastic push pins

Thanks - I grabbed my tool for those things and they popped out nicely and the air dam came right off (of course after using an 8mm nut driver on the ends screws)

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Plastic push pins attach the front edge of the air dam to the bottom back edge of the bumper. I can't remember, it's either eight or ten of them. The two bolts secure the back end. When installing the front receiver, the fasteners the bolts screw into have to be transferred from the factory metal plate to the metal mounting brackets supplied with the receiver.

There are no such brackets. In fact with the receiver on there the air dam would simply hang down at the back. So for now I left it off until I can figure it out or cut the metal bracket (metal air dam behind the plastic) to fit around the receiver.
Was really disappointed in the receiver that it said to remove the metal part and "give it back to the customer" but there was zero way to secure the air dam. I assumed this thing would have a way to hold the air dam back on besides the front row of fasteners. It simply hangs there.
The instructions said nothing about any metal mounting brackets - likely because the Draw-Tite doesn't have any such thing.
Not pleased.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The Draw- Tite is rated at 9000 pounds, you will have to decide how you want to manage that on the front of a JT. I do not know what the JT front max tow weight capability is.

Don't get the draw-tite as it leaves the air dam hanging by those front plastic fasteners. There's no provision for holding the air dam back edge up and it simply hangs there dangling from those push-in fasteners. No bolts or screws!

 

[Mr._Bill]

There are no such brackets. In fact with the receiver on there the air dam would simply hang down at the back. So for now I left it off until I can figure it out or cut the metal bracket (metal air dam behind the plastic) to fit around the receiver.
Was really disappointed in the receiver that it said to remove the metal part and "give it back to the customer" but there was zero way to secure the air dam. I assumed this thing would have a way to hold the air dam back on besides the front row of fasteners. It simply hangs there.
The instructions said nothing about any metal mounting brackets - likely because the Draw-Tite doesn't have any such thing.
Not pleased.

If you look at the Curt install instructions, you should be able to fashion similar brackets. You might even be able to call Curt and buy a set.

I bought Curt because they are a reputable manufacturer in the industry. I didn't even look to see what other options were available.

 

[Mkcagle]

Don't get the draw-tite as it leaves the air dam hanging by those front plastic fasteners. There's no provision for holding the air dam back edge up and it simply hangs there dangling from those push-in fasteners. No bolts or screws!

Too late, installed mine today. I added 2 extra plastic rivets to the ends to better support the air dam. Seems very tight and secure to me.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Too late, installed mine today. I added 2 extra plastic rivets to the ends to better support the air dam. Seems very tight and secure to me.

Sorry I'm not leaving the back end of the air dam hanging to bounce around secured only by the row of the plastic fasteners at the front. There's a reason Jeep put those metal screws in the rear corner areas of the air dam.
I gave the draw-tite a not that great review on Amazon for this reason and the fact it was a loose fit and you have to use their washers to take up space - a fact they don't spell out in the instructions - you have to look closely for that note in one of the pictures.
I knew there was a fit issue with how loose it was and knew I had to use something to take up the space and it was after figuring it out that I found their note on one of the pictures. I mean it was LOOSE in between the frame horns.
But it really ticked me that they left that air dam just hanging there - with each bump and bounce on the road the rear end bouncing or left to be pulled down by the snow when backing up in deep snow.
If plastic was enough to hold it up, Jeep would have not used that metal plate with screws behind it.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If you look at the Curt install instructions, you should be able to fashion similar brackets. You might even be able to call Curt and buy a set.

I bought Curt because they are a reputable manufacturer in the industry. I didn't even look to see what other options were available.

I think I am going to contact Curt about those brackets. It's stupid to think the other company figured it wasn't important. I mean Curt provides brackets and Jeep secures the thing with a metal backing behind it with screws. Two companies, Jeep and Curt, believe it needs support - one doesn't. I believe it needs support - instead of hanging by plastic fasteners to be caught on stuff or bounce and crack from stress.

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