New family member

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

My new hitch arived yesterday. I hope its strong enough lol. I think I picked the wrong model. The jeep cherokee was suppose to be almost exact fit the trifive thread said lol. But know one had model numbers. Anyhow the good news is I will have no problems getting the pump below the tank lol. Looks like a little mod to the pretty powder coated hitch is in order. I'm planning to run a smoothy sedan bumper and mount the lic plate on the hitch & light it with motorcycle lic plate bolt lights.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

This is the look I'm going for. I did a crude photo chop. I'm going to try and mount the plate so the top stays below the top clean line of the sedan smoothy bumper. It looks like the draw hitch needs to be about 1-1/2 to 2 inches below the bumper to achieve that. I'm going to section the curt hitch and weld it onto some 3 inch structural angle I have and tuck part of the cross tube between the bumper and original frame rear cross member.

[chevynut]

Have you considered what that plate is going to look like from the side? Seems like it's going to stick up in an awkward position and look like it's just "stuck on" the bumper. I really like the wagon bumper because it's recessed for the plate.

What are you planning to tow with the car? The receiver looks like it sits way far below the bumper. Also noticed you have an additional crossmember at the back of the frame from some prior hitch? I would have just built the hitch from scratch the way you wanted it.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

You are correct the current hitch is way to low. I apparently bought the wrong model its for a grand cherokee not a cherokee and was suppose to be a prefect fit. Looking at it I can tuck it up behind the bumper. As for the smoothy bumpers I've located that have not been custom built they are for sedans only and do not have the flat portion for the plate. From the side the bracket will mount the plate at an angle to lay against the bumper contour as best I can. Holding it up against my current bumper side section it seems to look ok from a side view. We plan to tow a 16ft retro camper some day. I also plan to tow my single axle utility trailer with our RZR.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

With a little hacking the wrong hitch fits perfect. Most of the cross tube is hidden behind the bumper now.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

I moved the project outside for the summer. My shop is just to hot this time of year.

I got my first real look at ground clearances. They are a little close for my liking. The taller tires will help some. The exhaust pipes under the frame horns are only 4.25 off the ground.. The holley oil pan is 6.25 off the ground. The 6l80 trans pan is also only about 4.5. Im still considering a skid pad. My 2 raised cattle guards are hard on equipment.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

I completed the hitch installation and located the inline pump & vet filter regulator. Very pleased with the results. Looking like the fuel line routing will work good from these locations.

[Troberts]

Nice - keep up the good work!!!

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Thanks yours turned out great!!! Congrats..

Today I'm going to attempt to build Russell DIY hoses. C'nut said it was easy we shall see lol. Headed out to get a new hack saw now.

[rockytopper R.I.P 5-13-2017]

Turned out Cnut was right. The russell hoses are a piece of cake to assemble. Routing turned out fairly simple. I even layed out a route for the main feed line all the way to the engine. I understand now why guys choose to route the fuel line on the outside of the frame rail. I ordered 10 ft of hose and it turned out to he the exact amount I needed for this part of the fuel system. Just need to add the P clamps and it will be done.