Installing Nissan hitch

I read the instructions at xterraparts.com. Anyone who has done it...do you really HAVE to remove the rear bumper or is it just easier if you do?

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You have to, you can't put the frame stiffeners in otherwise. There's really nothing to it though, why are you balking?

Brent

yeah it's no sweat. a one person job.

just don't make the mistake i did when installing my KMA bumper. The nuts that hold the bumper on are on the frame facing the sides of the truck. the ones facing inside towards the tire are bolt heads. it took me a few minuted before i realized that the nuts weren't on that tight, they just were on the other side. :-) the bolts are part of this 3 bolt cluster with an L bracket, so they do not pull out individually. remove all nuts and then pull the cluster out.

oh and this may be obvious but drop your spare before doing the install. it makes it a lot easier.

Yeah and don't balk. balking is bad. thank you easter bunny. BALK, BALK!!!

more later
Synchro

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Synchro (aka Kirk)
Ashburn, VA, USA (suburb of Washington D.C.)
2000 Xterra SE, Alpine Green, Auto, 4x4, ARB, 32" BFG MTs
President: Mid-Atlantic Xterra Club
http://www.maxc.org/members/synchro.htm

Jeezous, you guys really crack me up sometimes...

-Tom


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Thanks everyone, just wanted to know what to expect.

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SilverX -

Where did you get your hitch? I found one online with Bage Company for $113. It seems like that's a good price - much cheaper than xterraparts.com. Any thoughts?

I looked at the instructions for installing the hitch and it says to lift the truck. Do you actually have to do that or is that just for ease of installing? Thanks.

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2001 Super Black XE - 3 packages w/ black brush guard

Nah, just easier to get underneath to put the bolts in if it's on a lift.

Brent

I haven't gotten one yet. I'm still considering the options. I don't plan to tow anywhere near the maximum so I don't know if the Nissan hitch is worth the extra $$ to get the frame stiffeners.

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I wonder why as well, I installed the Canadian Nissan Version ( my parts guy cuts me a rate now, so it came out cheaper ), we don't get the stifffeners, ( not like the directions from xterraparts anyway, we get oversized "L" brackets ).. from what I've read, something like the U-haul type, yet its still a Nissan part. Still class III, which means 5000 towing.
The install was removing the bolts to the bumper, but not the bumper itself.

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http://www.soxc.org
http://www.geocities.com/x_canuk

here's a question for you, cause i don;t know the answer, are these hitches rated at 5000 lbs or are these hitch setups on the X rates to pull 5000 lbs? cause the hunk of steal that is the hitch can be rated to withstand the 5000lbs pull, but if the frame of the X cannot without stiffening, what then? is the rating ont he hitch or the setup? hmmm..... anyone know this?



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Synchro (aka Kirk)
2000 Xterra SE, Alpine Green, 4x4, ARB, 32" BFG MTs

Chicken or the egg problem. The X is rated to pull 5000 lbs.. The hitch ( class III ) is rated to pull 5000. From what I know, only a class III can be hooked up to an X. ( I haven't seen anyone install a class II ?)

If the X relied on frame stiffeners, ( provided only by U.S. Nissan ).. I'm pretty sure Nissan would have put a note somewhere saying " an X will pull 5000 only with a Nissan hitch with stiffeners " They would have to protect their butts somewhere.. just like the max load for the rack, when it can hold more, etc.

I'm sure the stiffeners add something, but not sure what.

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http://www.soxc.org
http://www.geocities.com/x_canuk

Here's another question. Do you think the frame stiffeners add significant strength when using the hitch to extricate yourself or someone else at a less-than-ideal angle? If so, that might justify the extra cost, for me anyway. Plus, maybe extra protection in case of a rear-end collision?

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I know so little about what most of you are talking about

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Do you smellalallalalala what Xrock is cookin?

yes and yes.



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Synchro (aka Kirk)
2000 Xterra SE, Alpine Green, 4x4, ARB, 32" BFG MTs

no worries. lurk and learn. we all had to do it at somepoint.

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Synchro (aka Kirk)
2000 Xterra SE, Alpine Green, 4x4, ARB, 32" BFG MTs

So, maybe I should do more research on the whole "hitch" issue? I plan on maybe buying one of the hitches on Ebay, both rated at 5000 lbs, class III. My only towing will be a bass boat on weekends, and the occasional U-Haul. Will I be okay? Also, can one persone really do the whole install? Or do have to bench about 500 lbs to get it done by yourself?

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It's definitely easier with two people. Your arms might get tired doing it by your self (depending on how strong your are). Once they get tired, it'll be hard to keep the hitch steady. But once again, I didn't bother taking the rear bumper off before the install, so that was a factor.

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Hank
2000 Yellow SE 4x4 5 Spd.
"Asian Persuasion"

if that is all you are towing don't worry about it, get whatever. Mr T tows around his camper with the Nissan hitch with no frame stiffeners with no ill effects. he doesn't have the frame stiffeners cause it is my hitch and i have the frame stiffeners in my truck with my after market bumper. If you want the nissan nitch without the frame stiffeners, i will sell you mine for $70 or trade you a steelhorse center console. had to get my plug in for that. :-)



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Synchro (aka Kirk)
2000 Xterra SE, Alpine Green, 4x4, ARB, 32" BFG MTs

Still dreaming of it eh ?
+++ this was a pic of my console.. but geocities killed the link support +++

I installed the Canadian Nissan Hitch ( no stiffeners ) by myself with about 2 minutes of help from my wife. One hint, don't do it when its cold, damn than metal gets cold fast.

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member of http://www.soxc.org
http://www.geocities.com/x_canuk

[This message has been edited by xcanuk (edited 02-26-2001).]

Bastard!! stop teasing me like that. no fair, or something.

[This message has been edited by Synchro (edited 02-11-2001).]

Installed a U-haul class 3 hitch by myself in about 1/2 hour. The hitch comes with plates that attach to the inside of the frame.$200 cdn.

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