New bumper and hitch, pt. 2

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flyboy2610
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New bumper and hitch, pt. 2

Post by flyboy2610 »

So, now the new bumper is on. Time for the hitch.
I had purchased a Drawtite hitch for the truck, and since I had the new bumper on, it was time for the hitch. It was easy to install. There is a 1/2" hole factory drilled in the bottom frame rail. The hitch attaches with 1/2" bolts. So i just used that hole and installed one bolt one each rail, then hung the side brackets for the hitch. I snugged the bolts up a bit, then measured between the front of the brackets and adjusted the positioning of them until it was 33", which is the distance from outside to outside of the bolt plates on the receiver assembly. Then I marked the spot for the holes and drilled 2 1/2" holes in each frame rail. Then I installed the receiver assembly, and made any final adjustments to get it centered, then tightened down the bolts.
The lights in the bumper are there to assist when hooking up to a trailer in the dark, which as any trucker will tell you, is not a lot of fun.
The lights are run off of relay, which is mounted in the engine compartment. i installed mine between the starter solenoid and the battery. There is one wire from the solenoid to a 12V source, I used the same terminal on the solenoid that the pos cable from the battery attaches to. There is a ground wire, and a wire that runs to the back of the truck, that both lights are spliced into. This is the wire that is hot when the solenoid is energized, The wiring kit also includes wires that run to an illuminated switch in the cab, to control the lights.
But I wanted the bumper lights to come on at the same time as the cargo light on the back of the cab did. So I ran the wire that is supposed to energize the relay from the outgoing side of the illuminated cargo light switch already installed in the dash.
Result? As Johnny Cash said in his song "One piece at a time": When we pulled out the switch all three of 'em come on! :) :)
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1971ford
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Post by 1971ford »

i like it :thup: !
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460 crew
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re: New bumper and hitch, pt. 2

Post by 460 crew »

Lookin good I may have to get one of them for my 77. :D
1970 4x4 Crewcab build and 12v cummins conversion
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re: New bumper and hitch, pt. 2

Post by 72stepside »

I am diggin the lights in the bumper. Nice install all the way around. :thup:
Chris
72 F100 Stepside w/ 78 300 CID
Hedman Headers
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Power Steering with 3 STILL on the tree
Comfy Crown Vic Seats

71 F250 PS, PB, AC, Auto, 390
Loooong way to go on this one!

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oldbiker
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re: New bumper and hitch, pt. 2

Post by oldbiker »

:? :? I'm kinda confused on the whole operation :roll: Recon your can come down to Texas and demonstrate? :lol: :lol: :lol: ..Looks great!! so does the whole truck for that matter :thup: :thup:
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shrektruck
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Post by shrektruck »

Hey! That's the bumber I want for the Shrektruck. Right now it would be kinda like polishing a turd though...I'd just make a mess and get all stinky.
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dbarker
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Post by dbarker »

This is exactly what im going to do. The only difference is that to switch it on, ill use a small metal switch mounted to a metal plate with Aux Lamps stamped on it.

Picture something like the hazard lights switch. Ill have one with two switches, one for the rear lamps in the bumper, & one for fog lamps up front.
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