Hitch receiver suggestions

Hunter Rich

TJ Enthusiast
Original poster
Joined
Feb 14, 2020
Messages
179
Location
ga
Looking to put a receiver on my 2004 rubicon, any suggestions?
 
Looking to put a receiver on my 2004 rubicon, any suggestions?
If you offroad, avoid receiver hitches that bolt on under the bumper. They hang underneath so low that they'll drag on the terrain when you're offroad. Instead get a replacement bumper that has an integrated receiver hitch. Like this one that also happens to be made here in America. This bumper has been on both of my Jeeps, there's no loss of ground clearance with something like this.

https://www.thedirtworx.com/wrangler-and-cj-gallery?lightbox=dataItem-jv2mofh71
 
I have a Curt hitch. I like it a lot. It is really strong, works well, easy to install. The paint or powdercoat (whichever it is) has held up pretty well. I think it sells for around $100.

I have the same brand on my car and I like that one too.

I prefer the look of the stock bumper on my Jeep and the hitch provides nice protection for it when offroad.

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If you offroad, avoid receiver hitches that bolt on under the bumper. They hang underneath so low that they'll drag on the terrain when you're offroad. Instead get a replacement bumper that has an integrated receiver hitch. Like this one that also happens to be made here in America. This bumper has been on both of my Jeeps, there's no loss of ground clearance with something like this.

https://www.thedirtworx.com/wrangler-and-cj-gallery?lightbox=dataItem-jv2mofh71

I have that bumper. Great price and was able to pick it up from him. Probably one of the best deals I've gotten for a new Jeep part. Pretty sure mine was $150 unfinished, couple years ago though.
 
If you offroad, avoid receiver hitches that bolt on under the bumper. They hang underneath so low that they'll drag on the terrain when you're offroad. Instead get a replacement bumper that has an integrated receiver hitch. Like this one that also happens to be made here in America. This bumper has been on both of my Jeeps, there's no loss of ground clearance with something like this.

https://www.thedirtworx.com/wrangler-and-cj-gallery?lightbox=dataItem-jv2mofh71
I dont do any serious offroading I'm eventually going to get new bumpers front and back with receiver in back. I will look into this tho, thank you.
 
New to me ‘06 came with a Curt under bumper hitch, and I agree it performs fine hauling trailers and supporting a rack. However, I look forward to ditching it for an integrated bumper hitch like the one Jerry suggests. The Curt hitch makes no sense after considerable time, effort, and expense raising ground clearance to improve off-road capability. At the risk of sounding dramatic, an under bumper hitch is antithetical to the design objectives of a Jeep Wrangler in the first place. Understandably, we don’t all use our Jeeps for the same things. I’ll have a Curt to sell cheap soon!
 
Mine has the Mopar frame hitch, it's sturdy and well built but uses up a TON of underbody clearance (which is already lacking on an LJ) so integrated bumper/hitch is in my future
 
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I noticed that Quadratec has a self-branded hitch. It is similar to the Curt but has extra mounting tabs that attach to the rear crossmember and a mounting tab for the 4-way plug socket. Seems like a nice unit.

I also realized that a trailer hitch is pretty much the only “mod” I have on my Jeep :ROFLMAO:

Project: “Back to stock” is mainly complete!
 
I have a Curt Hitch receiver and it is really strong. It hangs high enough under the bumper to where the gas tank is still lower so I haven't had any scaping problems, only when the hitch is installed, but that is understandable.
 
I just put my dirtworx bumper on. Great quality and craftmanship for a great price. The only thing I wish was that it could be adjusted to cover up a body lift but maybe I'm just dumb and not seeing how.