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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