I am finishing up a receiver hitch install on my F body Wagon. (sorry this one is not a Slant)

The hitches are very difficult to find for the proper application ('76-89 F-J-M Body cars) but one can be fabricated from an existing hitch if needed, the existing hitch would most likely need to be wide and have a low drop to fit the receiver tube below the bumper. (I can get exact measurements for 'ya if anyone needs them).

I had found a hitch on Craigslist a year or 2 ago, it was missing parts ( the L shaped "ears") so I had to fab them up and do some mock up. I am finishing it now, It looks like it will turn out pretty nice.

The Upper part of the hitch tube has long welded bars that extend up and bolt under the tailgate or tail lights on the rear bumper support to frame plate. (longer 3/8" bolts are required as the factory bumper to frame bolts will be too short.

The "Ears" Bolt onto the hitch and extend back to the bumper's crash impact absorber bolt that goes through the unibody frame rails next to the gas tank and above the leaf springs on either side. This is essentially a 13" L Shaped piece of metal with 2 holes drilled in it. - 1 hole for the receiver hitch frame and the other for the big bumper absorber bolt in the frame.

I will finish the project up with some satin black paint and do the final install and torque tomorrow and Come back to add some trailer wiring for a flat 4 connector.


Some Pictures:
I don't have a before picture of the Hitch But It had a goofy 1-5/8" Receiver tube so That Had to go and get replaced with a 2" tube.


Some Fab Pictures... you get the idea of what this hitch looks like here..




Mock up in the car / under the rear bumper.
In my situation I found that it hit the tailpipe so I bent it down a bit to clear and not hit the hitch frame... more on that later.




In this picture you can see where it bolts to the Bumper Retention plate on the inside of the impact absorbers.


Another angle showing the plate and bolt location:



My hitch actually contacts the lower lip on the rear bumper... Mirada, Diplomat, Gran Fury, Caravelle, and '80 Aspen /Volare may be different somehow.


Stock 3/8" Bolt Removed from Rear plate - It's too short - Replaced it with a 1" or 1-1/4" Long Grade 8 Bolt with Washer.


Template for my "Ears"


Ears cut and installed for mock up.



Right Side Ear .. I added a New attachment point for the exhaust hanger.. To keep the tailpipe ~3/4" Lower


In the "Paint Booth"


I will bolt it all back in tomorrow and then add the flat 4 Wiring as needed.

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Nice work.

I have one for my 72 A Body I need to install.

Incidentally, I have started using a powered trailer light circuit similar to this one. REALLY helps with high powered trailer lights and loads on older wiring:

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Wiring ... gIMXvD_BwE

The one I am actually using on my 74 is Hopkins 48895

Thanks for the tip.

Greg

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

I really don't think you need to worry about overloading the tow cars rear light wiring, if you are using LED trailer lights. I don't have any issues with my Diplomat.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 225 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170

Nice work, Greg. I like to have hitches that fit onto just about all my cars.

Lou

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Home of Slant6-powered fun machines since 1988

Just a FYI. I don't think anyone ever made a class III receiver for the FMJ body Mopars. When I did the one for my Diplomat, I bought a Class II receiver and had a welding shop change the tube to the class III size. We needed the class III receiver for a wheelchair lift. Last May I tried to add air shocks, which was an adventure. It seems like they are totally discontinued. Napa wound up finding a pair, in one of their stores out of state. Of course, after going through all of that, I found a pair of air shocks in a box that I think are for that car.

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Charrlie_S
65 Valiant 100 2dr post 170 turbo
66 Valiant Signet 225 nitrous
64 Valiant Signet
64 Valiant 4dr 170

4-9-23:

The hitch is all installed and I finished up the wiring last nite.
Took a trailer load of Tires and parts to the garage. Signals and brake lights / tail lights all work properly.
Tossed the bike on the back of the wagon for the easter visit with the inlaws. They live by a nice bike trail

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack

Very nice work Greg!

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Official Cookie and Mater Tormentor.

Thanks 'Zilla! Now I have a pattern to copy for the f body duster.

I want a hitch on all my cars now!

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http://www.youtube.com/hyperpack