Front hitch or just recovery hooks?

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phr1$k37
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Front hitch or just recovery hooks?

Post by phr1$k37 »


Hi folks!

I have damage to my front bumper and in the next few weeks I should be fixing her up. I have been waiting for a good opt to get front hooks in (cut into plastic bumper and weld hooks to frame) but now I am pondering about mounting a front hitch instead.

I know this takes away some ground clearance as well adds weight (24/7) but what other dis-advantages will I have? Is mounting it going to be hard?

My thought is that with a front hitch I can later get snow plow and winch :p I have yet to need a winch so the snow plow comes first. I think for our Safari / Astro having a snowplow is easiset with front hitch?

Is it a bad idea if I have drilled holes for the hitch and install / remove according to need?

Thanks for your comments guys.
97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"

LiftedAWDAstro
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Re: Front hitch or just recovery hooks?

Post by LiftedAWDAstro »

Is there even a front receiver hitch made for these vans? What plow brand are you considering? Snowbear uses it's own mount and not a receiver mount.
Current rides:
2013 Toyota Tundra DC 4x4
2008 Dodge Nitro 4x4
2005 Nissan Sentra 1.8S Special Edition

Mileage spreadsheet

Vans owned:
1986 Safari 2.5L 4 speed manual - scrapped
1995 Astro 2WD conversion 4.11 posi, shift kit, DHC rock rails - sold to Skippy
1998 Astro 4x4 D44, D60, NP231, full hydraulic system with 9k# Milemarker winch and snow plow - sold to Lockdoc
2003 Astro AWD all stock - traded for a 3/4 ton truck
2005 AWD, 4.10's - sold to skippy
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mdmead
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Re: Front hitch or just recovery hooks?

Post by mdmead »

I'm sure a front receiver will have to be custom made, but it seems a good investment to me. So many possibilities with a front receiver hitch up front: Winch, tow point, bike rack, etc.!
Matt
Selah, WA
-96 GMC Safari AWD Hi-Top Conversion -->Stalled 5.3L swap & 5" lift
-74 Ford Bronco -->Far from perfect but mine!
-99 V-10 Ford Super Duty Super Cab 4x4 -->Stock with 285 Cooper ATs
-00 Ford Focus Wagon -->The Red Turd
-95 Ford 24' Class C Motorhome -->My big block sleeper
-07 Can-Am Outlander XT -->My yellow 4x4 quad for work & play
-04 Ski Doo REV Summit -->Still several chassis behind!


No new projects until the current ones are done!

Topic author
phr1$k37
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Re: Front hitch or just recovery hooks?

Post by phr1$k37 »


Thanks for the quick replies!!!
No I doubt there is a pre-built front hitch for our rides so yes it will need to be custom. I have sent in for a quote at a local shop dont know how much it will ring me up. I dont have the skills / tools to fabricate me own.
On our local ads here I went a saw a few plows that was mounted on a front hitch. I am currently research on "Western Plows" and if it looks good I might just ditch all this front hitch and get that for our snow next year.

97' Safari AWD SLT - Nicknamed "Princess" cause of all the TLC she begs from me!
Location: West Coast, B.C., Canada eh?
Photos and Specs of "Princess"
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