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Bolt on front hitch receiver?

51696 Views 70 Replies 38 Participants Last post by  NomadOC, 
D
Has anyone seen or heard of a front mounted hitch receiver for the transit?
Has anyone had a custom job built?
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1x1_Speed_Craig said:
It's good that you're questioning this! I absolutely won't be welding accessories for my van without first disconnecting the battery. On past projects (Jeeps), I disconnected the battery, then touched the positive battery cable to the chassis for 30-60 seconds to discharge any stored energy, before welding. I'll double-check the BEMM first to see if Ford has specific recommendations.

For the awning brackets I'm currently fabricating, I bought and just received some 8mm threaded nylon rod, and will be temporarily attaching the brackets to the roof using the nylon rod/nuts to break conductivity (I'll leave the battery connected for this). Hein's PVC roof rack pads will break the current on the underside.

Craig
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That is a good idea.
The Bemm makes welding on the van sound cataclysmic
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Don't tell the muffler shops that weld millions of times a day on all types of cars with no issues.
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joefromga said:
Don't tell the muffler shops that weld millions of times a day on all types of cars with no issues.
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I know they do that but burning up computers is an expensive potential problem.
I built a very heavy duty steel motorcycle rack in the van but no welding was done on the van.
I may build a front receiver with some tow hooks soon. Maybe I'll roll the dice and fab it on the van
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I like the van compass unit but I only need a receiver up front for a receiver winch so it can be used on both ends or other vehicles.
I really want to build very sturdy rock sliders that have a receiver point for recovery that could also be used with slide in step
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BillsPaseo
Van Compass now has a front hitch available without the winch mount. It doesn't have the intercooler skid plate built in like the winch mount does. Might be a good option for those of us that don't want a winch mount, just a front receiver.

The install looks fairly reasonable too, I think I could handle it myself. My only question about it is how much weight can it really carry? The web page says 500 lbs, but the instructions say 300 lbs. Big difference between those two, especially when what I want it for is to carry a 300 lb motorcycle on the front (need to add another 60-ish lbs for the weight of the bike carrier too).

vancompass.com

FRONT RECEIVER HITCH - FORD TRANSIT (2013+ 1500, 2500, 3500) by VAN CO

Add function to the front of your Ford Transit with the Van Compass front receiver hitch. Designed to hold items like bike / motorcycle racks, recovery shackle or even a winch cradle for vehicle recovery. Manufactured from high strength 3/16" steel and 1/4"thick square tubing, this front...
vancompass.com
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Due to other priorities, a front hitch (and/or recovery point) got back-burnered for me. I'm back on it, though.

Every one I have seen requires extensive disassembly and/or destructive front sheet metal work. I'm not keen on that. Granted, I'm only looking at this from the standpoint of a 3.7L-equipped Transit (not the 3.5L Ecoboost), but I ordered an OEM Lower Tie Bar/Radiator Support (P/N CK4Z-8125-A) to use as a pattern for a multi-functional, heavy-duty replacement, which will also serve as a front recovery point. My dealer gave me a really solid discount on the price of the part, given some less-than-impressive service I received there previously.

I have spent hours on a creeper studying the underside of the front of my Transit, having removed the center plastic cover on the underside of the bumper a while ago. This design, to me, seems to be the path of least resistance.

Aside from some plastic retainer clips for stuff like power steering lines, there are only two small bolts holding this crossmember to the underside of the frame rails. Building a heavy-duty replacement crossmember, and securing this with multiple bolts to the frame rails, bumper horns, and side frame plates (which tie back to the engine cradle) would allow me to install this without disassembling the front of my van. The side plates are similar to those used by VC and QuadVan. I have zero intention of taking the grinder/Sawzall to my Transit in order to install a front recovery point, which Ford should have included in the first place. :) In my case, I think I'm just going to install a single front recovery point (using a Ballistic Fabrication Tube Clevis End and some 1.5" I.D. DOM tube) vs. having a receiver hitch, but we'll see. The recovery point will protrude from the grill just under the license plate mount, between the lower & upper bumper crossmembers.

I just wanted to throw the idea out there for other fabricators who want to preserve the integrity of their OEM Transit sheet metal.

Craig

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EddieZ
Seems like a reasonable approach. Before you do your final install, I suggest you make a jig; who knows how many of these you may end up making (for sale). Or, maybe sell plans for the jig.
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T
I don't want to burst your bubble, but for those of us with a 3.5L ecoboost, the intercooler sits right where you want to run your tube forward. I presume you have a 3.7 engine and that area is open on your van.

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EddieZ said:
Seems like a reasonable approach. Before you do your final install, I suggest you make a jig; who knows how many of these you may end up making (for sale). Or, maybe sell plans for the jig.
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I'll post pics as I go, but recreating the radiator support won't be a quickie deal. I work slowly enough that I could never make money by selling these. I fabricate for fun, and only rarely do paid jobs (mostly just low-budget favors for friends).


Tijoe said:
I don't want to burst your bubble, but for those of us with a 3.5L ecoboost, the intercooler sits right where you want to run your tube forward. I presume you have a 3.7 engine and that area is open on your van.

View attachment 145630
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Yeah, I assumed that would be the case with the Ecoboost. That, and the lack of a low-hanging rock magnet make me happy I have the 3.7L. :LOL: :) Yes, the area in front of the crossmember is totally open on the 3.7L.
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NomadOC
dirt addict said:
Has anyone seen or heard of a front mounted hitch receiver for the transit?
Has anyone had a custom job built?
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I just saw one for $850 but I'm not that desperate for it yet, I'll go find it again and copy url.
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NomadOC
dirt addict said:
Has anyone seen or heard of a front mounted hitch receiver for the transit?
Has anyone had a custom job built?
Click to expand...
Try here for expensive hitch, FORD TRANSIT FRONT RECEIVER (2013-PRESENT)
Its $825
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