Front Receiver Hitch

About 5 years ago a guy on the other forum was making bumpers and such for Commander owners. I volunteered for a prototype front receiver hitch at a reduced price.

He had a good design and good fab skills. sfter I mounted it I discovered the insert tube had somehow been tweaked. ..possibly before he built it. He stopped his business and went back to college. I was able to.deal with the tweaked tube by grinding the insert on.my winch cradle.

But now I want more flexibility in using various inserts. So I uninstalled it a couple of days ago, cut the tube off and welded a new one on. Tomorrow ill paint it then reinstall it in s few days.

I'm going to build a front spare tire carrier for it.

I'm surprised more people dont go with a front hitch for their winch.

I'll post some pics soon.

Looking forward to seeing it.

I got a lot of good use out of my 4XG receiver mount. Not sure id throw a tire up front, but combined with the rear hitch and roof rack I was able to carry a lot more cargo!

I know you folks are familiar with this, but for any new comers, here is a link to the front receiver I installed with part numbers and procedures:

http://www.jeepcommander.com/forums/...highlight=plow

Here are some more recent pics with front tow rings and inverted step bumper (w/ custom license plate mount) mounted in front receiver. This is how I use it on regular days when plow or winch are not required:

http://www.theultimatejeep.com/showt...ll=1#post42831

Here's some pics of the fixed front receiver hitch. I also fabbed up a tire carrier. I made the tire carrier height adjustable so I can put it up front or on the rear tow hitch. The two hitches are different heights off the ground, hence the need for adjustments.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...90ee3e2a-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...24452db9-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...4cebe331-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...98ced47b-1.jpg

P.S. Love those Duratracs! Just put those on a few days prior to all this.

More pics

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...a0b4151e-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...daf0bacc-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...50cd7c0f-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...61a33801-1.jpg

Tire carrier that can go on the front or rear. On the rear I can lift the glass with the tire mounted but I have to pull the hitch pin and remove the carrier and spare to open the hatch door.

I didn't take a pic yet on the front but will. Notice on the pic of the carrier, I hadn't yet drilled the holes in the upright tube. Later I drilled a series of holes that give me several height options.

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...4e638f51-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...53d2bd60-1.jpg

https://theultimatejeep.com/images/i...5b24e873-1.jpg

Yuk, did some adjustments after paint and scratched it all up. Gotta repaint soon. :(

That's great! I like the way the tire is nice and low in the back and doesn't block the window. I wonder if you could use a hinge like on a Thule bike rack that allows the tire to swing back so the door can be opened without removing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by thance

That's great! I like the way the tire is nice and low in the back and doesn't block the window. I wonder if you could use a hinge like on a Thule bike rack that allows the tire to swing back so the door can be opened without removing.

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Thanks. I dont know how I would be able to do a hinge effectively and keep it adjustable for front and rear. I'll think on it.

Very cool. I'm digging the idea of a front receiver and will probably get one when I order the 4xGuard Matrix. Another feature of use would be a front step when working on the engine. I'm not overly tall, so getting under the hood on the Commander could make it a little easier to see.