Hitch (Curt) Install Help

[Sunman54]

New to a Bronco 2025 Outer Banks and want to install a rear hitch. Have watched a number of videos on YouTube and all looked quite simple by aligning the hitch holes with the (4) holes on the rear frame crossmember and installing the bolts. Come to discover this part is in the way and could not determine what it was by looking at the Ford OEM parts catalog. Obviously a little more complicated that a simple bolt on and tighten. What is this piece in the picture with the (2) bolts attaching it? Looks like it has wiring for installing hitch trailer light connection? Any issues with removing it?

Thanks

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[KJSBLKDMD]

It is just there to hold the end of the trailer wires…as far as I know. If your bronco didn’t come with the tow package those wires won’t work without also installing a trailer tow module and get it programmed by ford. I found it nice ford used such long bolts that it requires removing rear bumper…

 

[Saltwater Junkie]

@Sunman54 You can cut the bolts off as close as possible to the bracket nuts. The bolts will be short enough to back out and you can re-use them if you wish.
Or.. remove the bumper.

 

[GA2Dr]

That's just the bracket that holds the wiring harness - needs to be removed to install the Curt hitch. No problem with removing that bracket.

 

[Fast Eddie]

You need to remove the bumper and pull those absurdly long bolts and bracket. And they are tough to get out but don't use an impact, you will strip the tacked on nut free and then be in for a bit of fun.

 

[BRadSC]

@Sunman54 You can cut the bolts off as close as possible to the bracket nuts. The bolts will be short enough to back out and you can re-use them if you wish.
Or.. remove the bumper.

this is what I did as well and it worked perfectly! Highly suggest it!

 

[box986]

I also cut the bolts off but in hindsight I should've removed the bumper instead.

 

[GA2Dr]

I removed the bumper. Really not hard, but I would recommend having someone help as it's awkward and I scratched mine up a bit trying to remove it myself.

 

[Sunman54]

I also cut the bolts off but in hindsight I should've removed the bumper instead.

Out of curiosity why should have you removed the bumper instead? I assumed that cutting the bolts would have been the easier option. Have not started the install process yet. Thanks

 

[box986]

Folks here say the bumper removal is like 10min. It took me longer to grind those bolts off since it's a bit tight in there, so you need the right size grinding wheel.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Out of curiosity why should have you removed the bumper instead? I assumed that cutting the bolts would have been the easier option. Have not started the install process yet. Thanks

The bumper is held on by 6 bolts and weights maybe 5lb (in my OBX's case). It takes 10min to remove and makes the whole process a breeze.

 

[Pokey_Cacti]

Not sure what Ford used for their "Loctite" on the factory bolts for this, but even using hand tools I stripped the bolts trying to remove them, so just got the sawzall out to cut & remove them. I still blue Loctite-d all the bolts on hitch install. Also had to notch out the bottom of the bumper so the dustcover door for the seven-pin connector could fully open.

 

[Pops]

I've given the long bolts on mine a good metal brush scrubbing of the threads with 30-wt and Kroil and there is still lots of turning resistance....haven't started to look into removing the bumper yet.

another ongoing project.

...along with my 2-month ongoing job of a multi antenna mount for the OEM roof rack......... sigh.

 

[Fast Eddie]

Not sure what Ford used for their "Loctite" on the factory bolts for this, but even using hand tools I stripped the bolts trying to remove them, so just got the sawzall out to cut & remove them. I still blue Loctite-d all the bolts on hitch install. Also had to notch out the bottom of the bumper so the dustcover door for the seven-pin connector could fully open.

I find the whole situation comical. Ford uses a HEAVY metal bracket with 2 enormous bolts that are loctite'd on and require bumper removal to remove all to protect an unused plastic plug. There was either a dare, bet, or pissed off engineer involved...

 

[Pops]

I find the whole situation comical. Ford uses a HEAVY metal bracket with 2 enormous bolts that are loctite'd on and require bumper removal to remove all to protect an unused plastic plug. There was either a dare, bet, or pissed off engineer involved...

I'm thinking it's the last point you made, or a manager who had to take over a design during a holiday.

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