Receiver Hitch 76 Cj5

Looking to get a receiver hitch for my CJ5, I need to be able to pull a small light trailer with max weight of about 2k lbs for moving hay other odds and ends around the house, nothing heavy just light duty towing. Plan on that and just bumperettes back there no fancy off road bumpers or the like.

I'm looking at the Curt model that goes on the YJ. Are the rear crossmembers the same from the later CJs to the YJs?

When I got the CJ it had an L shaped heavy steel plate bolted to the back in the holes the bumperetts would normally bolt that had a series of large holes across it. One of the previous owners welded thick plate to that and put a hitch ball in it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EOV33E/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER&psc=1

 

There is a factory draw bar that mostly fits your description. Popular factory option.

This is earlier, but similar.



The '76 version is lighter than this, basically a piece of heavy angle iron bolted to the rear cross member, with a bunch of holes. There is a factory bracket that accepts a ball - you can barely see it here. Bolts on.

There's also a step bumper for the CJ; no receiver though.

 

Tim, can you tell me what the tow rating and hitch weight rating is for that style factory hitch?
Both of my CJ's are equipped with them.

 

This receiver hitch (CURT 13412) bolts to the rear cross member with extended braces that tie into the frame. Might be an option.

https://www.etrailer.com/Trailer-Hi...MI5PLOj7Dr7AIVy8DACh2Wnw5QEAAYASAAEgJDjvD_BwE

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00075XCD...colid=EH462CXEB9SS&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

I doubt the factory thought of the drawbar in those terms, in that time. The parts book just shows them as parts, with no other comment. Might be something in the factory sales literature.

 

Thanks Tim. My '74 appears to have led a hard life, the rear cross member was bent downward from the weight of whatever was on the hitch, it also didn't have the inner cross member reinforcement that my '73 has.

I suppose anything that doesn't make the rear suspension sag to much would be good.

 

I was looking at that one. Looks stout but it's also nearly 3x the cost of the YJ curt.

I may order up the YJ Curt, see if I can make it work if I can't use Amazon's return system and go with the more expensive options.

 

He would need the brackets to go around the rear tank for the early drawbar.

All I've found is a 1200lb drawbar pull continuous and 1800lb starting. That is the actual strain if a chain were measured to a plow or equipment. That number should be easy to defend should anything happen.(p365 of the 53-71 service manual) and that is stated at the max approved weight (3500lbs) of the vehicle.

 

The CURT 13412 hitch is $297.99 on AMAZON & $297.99 on Summit Racing. The link to the YJ hitch you posted at AMAZON is $145.99.

You will need to drill holes in the two face plates to match up to the CJ rear cross member holes and the YJ hitch has no frame tie-ins.

CJ rear cross member holes:

O O

↕ ↕ - Distance Vertically Hole Center to Center – 1 1/8 “

O O

<---> - Distance Horizontally Hole Center to Center – 5 5/8”

 

Another hitch - $197.99 - fits CJ cross member holes - no frame tie-ins:

https://www.amazon.com/Rugged-Ridge...9-1&vehicleName=1979+Jeep+CJ5#customerReviews

 

For what its worth this is the one I went with. Ill post pics in a bit if it mounted up.