Billinsd

I'm putting on front hitch on my tacoma and enlarged the wrong hole, so I ended up having to enlarge two holes, see left photo.

I plan to put a portable winch on the front of the truck.

Am I worrying too much about the two holes, which are about 3/4 inch and 3/8 apart?

There are two existing holes on the bottom of the frame that are about 3/4 inch apart in the right photo.

Or should I have the one holed welded closed? A friend said he could weld a but weld in the "extra" hole to fill it up? Or weld a small plate on there?

Here is a link to the instructions
http://www.hiddenhitch.com/fitguides/pdf/N65041.pdf

Thanks
Bill

drew303

I personally wouldn't worry about it. That part of the hitch mount is for added load bearing strength (vertical weight) ..vs something pushing or pulling on the hitch it'self (like winching). Which the two lower bolts are designed to take.

Having said that it doesnt take but a few minutes to weld in the upper hole (assuming thats the hole you enlarged accidentally) so it doesnt "hurt" anything to do that and might as well ya know?

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Weld and plate since you can.

Billinsd

Thanks
Bill

Billinsd

How should I plate the hole, when part of the hitch will cover it? Just plate half of the hole or would it be ok for the hitch cover to sit along part of the plate and part of the frame?
Thanks
Bill

Billinsd

Here is another photo after I took off the front receiver, showing the area I need to plate.
Thanks
Bill

waskillywabbit

iTrader: (-1)

Cut a slug or sleeve it with a piece of tubing, weld in, grind flush, install your hitch.

Billinsd

Thanks a bunch
Bill

drew303

Yeah what i'd do is just cut a piece of metal small enough to fit in there (a flat piece) .. Tube notches hammered flat make both great end caps for tubes and would work for this kind of situation. Just a filler piece of metal, hold in there, tack it in place then fill in the gaps. Grind flush. Bada bing bada boom

I doubt you have tube notches laying around, but incase anyone else is watching, ill post up what im talkn about for tube ends,





hehe..

I guess essentially putting a cap on the end of a tube is like filling your hole in your frame.. hole is a hole right? Sept my caps arent inside the tube but still...

yotaman85

or just weld a 1/4" p;ate across the whole thing and redrill the holes you need...

drew303

That doesnt work ... didnt you see the hitch?

yotaman85

no. i retract my previous statement...

drew303

HaHa, no worries mate =)

Billinsd

I got the holes filled. The welder used a couple small pieces and held them in there with a welding rod and welded around them, then grinded them. Now, I'm good to go, thanks all\
Bill