Curt Front Hitch - Trouble Fishing the Bolts

[Blazintrails03]

Figured I'd post instead of pm to document for anyone that needs this in the future and to have everyone chime in together if possible.

I'm now a happy forth owner of the curt front hitch from Navigator(thanks again). But without that fishwire that came with the kit originally I spent almost 4 hours of wasted time fishing bolts and washers out of the frame cause I couldn't get them to pull out of the holes. I was using pull string instead with no luck. Anyone have any tips or tricks that you used???

[navigator]

Hi Bobby, I used light weight wire, wrapped it in the threads and then put a little electrical tape on it. The wire I had here at home (electric fence wire) was too heavy. I needs to seat in the threads really smooth. If you can't find something, let me know and i'll see if I can find a piece and mail it to you.

Have you gotten any of them through? I remember it was a real pain until I got the first one in. There is also one I think on the passenger side with some hose in the way that is a pain, save that one for last.

[navigator]

I was also able to find this online but I can't remember if those are 3/8 or 1/2 inch bolts.
http://www.etrailer.com/Tools/Curt/C583 ... 4AodKToA4w
http://www.etrailer.com/Tools/Curt/C584 ... 4Aod7zQAgg

[The Roadie]

I can't imagine any other tool other than thin spring wire. Would have taken less than four hours to buy and make your own.

[Blazintrails03]

Thanks guys. I'm gonna try some thin wire I have tomorrow

[Blazintrails03]

Have you gotten any of them through? I remember it was a real pain until I got the first one in. There is also one I think on the passenger side with some hose in the way that is a pain, save that one for last.

I got the one bolt on the bottom in and snugged up but left loose for wiggle room of the hitch. I jacked it up to align the holes. We got screwed first try on the drivers side ( this side had a radiator hose and what I think was either a PS or Trans line going to a cooler on the bottom of the radiator). Trying to get it to come through the hole the string came off. And then the fun of getting it back off happened. We even took the bumper off hoping we could slide it in that way but that was a no go

[navigator]

Maybe it was the driver side that was a pain but one of them was worse than the others.
I ended up taking my bumper off too, made seeing what was going on easier.

[Blazintrails03]

With the help of some Cat6 wire and a grabber tool I got it done

It sucked but its on now. I'm really happy with how well it actually protects the radiator. Not as good as a skid but I'm pleased either way. And being able to slap a 3/4 inch shackle in the receiver makes me feel better than using the tow hooks.

[The Roadie]

And the required pics are where?

[Blazintrails03]

Putting the bumper back on it started to rain. You already know how tight it fits to the bumper and how it protects the radiator but I wil definitely get the required pics for here and my build thread.

[The Roadie]

Just razzin' ya. Glad you're enjoying the unit. Did the mini-skid shield stay with it?

[bartonmd]

Yeah, I used a wire and taped it to the bolt.

[Blazintrails03]

Just razzin' ya. Glad you're enjoying the unit. Did the mini-skid shield stay with it?

Nah I didn't want the skid. I'd rather have a shackle that I could pull from if needed.

Yeah, I used a wire and taped it to the bolt.

I took the wire and wrapped it around the bolt laying it in the threads then taped it

And now that I'm looking at the subject I don't think all of the "!!!!!!!!!!" were really necessary haha

[navigator]

I still have the mini-skid.
I couldn't have afforded to ship it too!
Bobby, you can get one of those ATV cargo carriers(from HF) with the offset, they are kind of nice if you need to carry extra gear.

[Blazintrails03]

When I do anything cargo related I'm gonna get something like the tri-fold ramp from Harbor Freight. Can't remember who did it not long ago on here but it was one of the well known members.

[Trail X]

And now that I'm looking at the subject I don't think all of the "!!!!!!!!!!" were really necessary haha

I concur - thread subject overhauled.

In the future, please try to make the subject of your thread more descriptive. If someone's searching through in the future, they are not likely to click on something titled "PLEASE HELP!!!!", but are likely to click on a thread title that describes the issue they are facing. If all of our titles were "please help!", it would really make forum navigation difficult.

[Blazintrails03]

And now that I'm looking at the subject I don't think all of the "!!!!!!!!!!" were really necessary haha

I concur - thread subject overhauled.

In the future, please try to make the subject of your thread more descriptive. If someone's searching through in the future, they are not likely to click on something titled "PLEASE HELP!!!!", but are likely to click on a thread title that describes the issue they are facing. If all of our titles were "please help!", it would really make forum navigation difficult.

Yeah sorry about that. Just figured I would call them out since they were the previous owners. I posted it for future reference but the subject title was a dumb idea

[Grimor]

Might be a bit late, but I just used electrical tape, made a string by folding it in half and fishing it thru the frame. tape it to the tip of the bolt and pull it thru the hole. actually worked easier for me on the sides (almost impossible on center one though)

[Blazintrails03]

Might be a bit late, but I just used electrical tape, made a string by folding it in half and fishing it thru the frame. tape it to the tip of the bolt and pull it thru the hole. actually worked easier for me on the sides (almost impossible on center one though)

I tired string at first and it made it a little too big to fit through the washer. The wire I used fit the threads perfectly and made it almost a breeze. I didn't have an issue with the center bolt. I didn't even fish it with anything just pushed the washer through the frame and the bolt dropped right in from the top.

[Grimor]

Might be a bit late, but I just used electrical tape, made a string by folding it in half and fishing it thru the frame. tape it to the tip of the bolt and pull it thru the hole. actually worked easier for me on the sides (almost impossible on center one though)

I tired string at first and it made it a little too big to fit through the washer. The wire I used fit the threads perfectly and made it almost a breeze. I didn't have an issue with the center bolt. I didn't even fish it with anything just pushed the washer through the frame and the bolt dropped right in from the top.

I actually lost the center bolt/washer in the frame and couldn't get it out. Had to remove the skid plate lol