Bronco Raptor hitch DIY install with pictures

[jbacon47]

Could this mod work on a 2-door?

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[sportcoupe]

We probably don't know the answer but would the Raptor hitch mod allow higher tongue weights on non-Raptors? It seems logical with the much thicker construction.
Right now we are limited to 350 lbs tongue weight but the Raptor hitch is rated for 450 lbs tongue weight.

I am not trying to tow more than 3500 lbs. Some small travel trailers have a high dry tongue weight.

Edit: Or would money be better spent for a new aftermarket hitch or bumper that connects to the frame and not the cross member?

 

[Sbetzh]

Hello! This thread helped me get a lot of info to upgrade our Wildtrak hitch. If it helps, here are the OEM parts numbers for the bars. NB3Z-5030-A and NB3Z-5030-B

 

[PAULWESTSKI]

@Farmerjack
How loud is the Borla muffler?
I prefer a quieter exhaust, nothing worse that a loud exhaust drone on a eight hour drive.

 

[swamp2]

Hello! This thread helped me get a lot of info to upgrade our Wildtrak hitch. If it helps, here are the OEM parts numbers for the bars. NB3Z-5030-A and NB3Z-5030-B

Cool. I sent you a DM. Let me know if you can send me some more pictures. TIA.

 

[Palmermc]

Hi all,
I just received all the parts for the Raptor hitch and support bars, but I’m having a hard time figuring out how the support bars are supposed to attach to the forward frame crossmember. There are a few holes in the crossmember but none of them are threaded or line up with the holes at the end of the bars.

here’s a photo of my crossmember.

 

[Old Codger]

Hi all,
I just received all the parts for the Raptor hitch and support bars, but I’m having a hard time figuring out how the support bars are supposed to attach to the forward frame crossmember. There are a few holes in the crossmember but none of them are threaded or line up with the holes at the end of the bars.

here’s a photo of my crossmember.

Palmermc,

did you ever find a solution?

 

[mjp2]

Hi all,
I just received all the parts for the Raptor hitch and support bars, but I’m having a hard time figuring out how the support bars are supposed to attach to the forward frame crossmember. There are a few holes in the crossmember but none of them are threaded or line up with the holes at the end of the bars.

here’s a photo of my crossmember.

I'm pretty sure the solution is a combination of this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NWJF2A4/
And this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRSPKYJ5/

This project is on my to-do list and I had these parts in my wishlist.

 

[Old Codger]

I'm pretty sure the solution is a combination of this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NWJF2A4/
And this:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRSPKYJ5/

This project is on my to-do list and I had these parts in my wishlist.

capture nuts only work if you have pre-punched slots like thread OP to slide them into. Ford has obviously changed the cross member. Palmermc and myself have a different hole pattern in the cross member that does not have slots or holes where they're needed for braces. I understand a combination of drill bits and Dremel is a possibility to make holes or slots but doing that while laying in the gravel underneath the bronco doesn't have much appeal.

 

[mjp2]

capture nuts only work if you have pre-punched slots like thread OP to slide them into. Ford has obviously changed the cross member. Palmermc and myself have a different hole pattern in the cross member that does not have slots or holes where they're needed for braces. I understand a combination of drill bits and Dremel is a possibility to make holes or slots but doing that while laying in the gravel underneath the bronco doesn't have much appeal.

My second recommendation would be to drill holes and install rivnuts. They work wonders, and it's what I retrofitted on my rollcage to install the M2M flip-down attic shelf.

Rivnuts and an install tool are both pretty cheap.

 

[Mikerider]

Thanks to everyone for the research on this swap. I run a big bike rack off my bronco and the extra supports are good peace of mind.

I used a borla climber touring cat back and it fits perfect with the raptor hitch and supports

 

[TrailDamage]

Thanks to everyone for the research on this swap. I run a big bike rack off my bronco and the extra supports are good peace of mind.

I used a borla climber touring cat back and it fits perfect with the raptor hitch and supports

How much louder is the muffler? I want to do this upgrade eventually but don’t want to increase the sound profile too much more than it is already.

 

[Mikerider]

How much louder is the muffler? I want to do this upgrade eventually but don’t want to increase the sound profile too much more than it is already.

noticeable but not annoying, start up is louder and make a bit more noise when you put your foot down, but cruise is still quite with no drone. to me its like the difference between stock and the Bronco Raptor sound. having the muffler and second resonator on the borla is nice. I'm sure its less noise compared to other options.

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