WG front hitch receiver?

[Ed..]

Hi guys, I have a dumb question for you, I have a 2004 WG deisel with a radiator protector/nudge bar and was wondering if anyone has added/built a front hitch receiver to their WG Jeep or if it is even viable to do so?

I have a 3.5t 26ft boat which I have to manouver under the carport dodging palm trees, the side of the shed, curve in the drive way. ect and usually it is late in the afternoon with the sun shining from the back, which makes using the rear and side mirrors pretty useless due to the glare, So needless to say it takes quite a while going back and forth till everything lines up.

I was hoping to build a front hitch receiver in which I could place a towball and drive the boat under the carport from the front which would give me much greater visibility and manouverabilty.

The problem is that there is about 320Kg on the towball, I could possibly mount some supports to where the Nudge bar is fitted, leaving it in place and maybe also a bit further towards the rear if there are bolts holes in place where I could mount a reinforcing plate to as well, with a bar or two across the middle and diagonally to brace the receiver and to spread the load.

This would also enable me to mount a small removable winch in front when required and also add some decent recovery points to replace the standard tie down points.
An ADR compliant bullbar with winch capabilities would be better but they are significantly more expensive that is if you can even find one to fit this model Jeep, but a major concern is the towball weight on the front.

So has anyone done this or any opinions on if it is doable or just not feasable? Thanks.

Cheers.

Ed.

[piper]

I put one on the front and welded to nudge bar brackets, there is some pics

[Shane001]

Originally Posted by piper

I put one on the front and welded to nudge bar brackets, there is some pics

There's a mob in the US that makes a similar setup. OP search for WJ nudge bar brackets. I doubt it would handle the ball weight though.

Piper do you think your setup would handle the ball weight?

[piper]

the ball weight would be ok, but the springs maybe not, but your only pushing boat/caravan around in tight places plus low range forward is better to use

[Ed..]

Thanks guys for the replies, hey Piper in your second pic, what does the flat angled plate in the middle with 4 bolt holes in it do?

[Tyvokka]

I will be doing the same as well to manoeuvre my trailer and also to stick in a little mini crane at the front to carry heavy stuff around the house.

Warn makes them and is available on Amazon and truck shops in the states.

WARN 61768 Front Receiver Trailer Hitch, 2 in Jeep WJ

I have an old tow bar which I will prolly use by fabricating the required brackets.

Here's a discusiion on JF. Please delete if not allowed.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f310/...19/index2.html

[Shane001]

This is the other option I found when I went looking for nudge bar brackets
http://www.fawkesfab.com/FMD/off-road/products.htm