Replacing the tow hook and installing a towing wiring harness.

[CRKodiak]

Hello everybody,

I have been looking at replacing the tow hook on my 1997 montero with a pintle hitch, and it looks like it is tough to impossible to get a wrench in behind to the nuts that hold it on. Does the entire bumper have to be removed to do this, or is there some other trick in doing it? I have also been trying to find a plug-and-play wiring harness to hook up in order to tow with, but all I can find are the "universal" type. Does anybody know where I can find a plug-and-play harness?

Thanks

 

[billygoats]

The nuts on the back of the 4 bolts holding the hook on are welded. Just need a socket to take off the bolts. I installed a pintle hitch on mine to replace the hook. There are plug and play harnesses with the mitsu specific connectors. I was lucky enough to find one in the junkyard.

 

[Jay Ayala]

Hi guys,

So I've never towed anything behind my rig so I don't really know what advantages one would have with a Pintle Hitch. Also, I see there are different styles. Can you guys elaborate on why one would want one of these instead of the stock hitch?

 

[Sabre]

Jay,
The pintle hitch allows for all-axis articulation of the trailer, something prized in off-pavement travel, as well as being a stronger hitch. You see it commonly on military vehicles. On the downside, it bangs around a bit back there, so isn't normally used for most on-road applications.

The one in the upper right of your picture is a compromise that allows for towing either type. The one in the lower left, the ring, is normally found on the trailer.

 

[Jay Ayala]

Thanks Saber. That makes sense. I tend to see this other type hitch witch I assume is more common.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[off-roader]

Jay,

Yeah, that's a typical ball hitch which is good for pavement use but off road can reach it's limitations quickly. Another hitch is an articulating one (do a google search for 'articulating off road hitch' and plenty will come up). There are a few I've heard of such as the Lock N Roll & Max Coupler Articulating hitch, etc.

One of my friends has an articulating one on his jeep trailer.

I've also seen the pintle's in use and they do bang around when used.

 

[nwoods]

Pintles go "clunk" every time you stop, start, or change your speed. Check out a Lock-N-Roll or MAX Coupler for two conventional hitch receiver types that tow silently and allow a full range of motion. I have a Max coupler on my off road trailer, it's awesome.

 

[off-roader]

Carlos said he also has one on his trailer...

 

[CRKodiak]

The nuts on the back of the 4 bolts holding the hook on are welded. Just need a socket to take off the bolts. I installed a pintle hitch on mine to replace the hook. There are plug and play harnesses with the mitsu specific connectors. I was lucky enough to find one in the junkyard.

Thanks! That was too simple... I guess I'll have to check out a junkyard for the harness.

 

[off-roader]

Someone was selling plug and play harnesses on Ebay a while back. Not sure if they're still available but may be worthwhile checking. That said, shipping to AK may make the price unreasonable as well.

 

[billygoats]

That's my setup for now. It will change when I get a custom rear bumper with 2" receiver. I will still use the same type of pintle/locking hitch ball though. It is great for a quick lock onto the loop of a recovery strap, and will not come off at any angle. A regular d-shackle on a receiver would work too for that purpose, but u would need a seperate receiver to tow.

 

[jlocster]

billygoats, do you have backup sensors on your rear bumper?...I see 2 black dots on either side of the hitch

 

[billygoats]

billygoats, do you have backup sensors on your rear bumper?...I see 2 black dots on either side of the hitch

Yeap, there are 1 more each on the bumper caps. E-bay special. Works great. audible tone and visual distance meter too. Didnt want to splurge on a backup camera and screen.