This article will be about the installation of a front receiver hitch (Hidden Hitch brand) on a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab 4X4 pickup. Some of you might ask, "Why would you put a receiver hitch on the front of a truck?" Well, if you live near the beaches of the east coast, there is a sport called surf fishing. This involves driving your four-wheel drive vehicle on the beach and fishing from the edge of the shore with long (typically 7í-12í) rod and reel combinations. In order to keep aromatic bait and caught fish outside of the vehicle interior, we use what is commonly called a surf rod rack. These are usually made of aluminum (to avoid saltwater corrosion), hold a fairly large cooler (40 - 100 quart) as well as rod holders, and are mounted to the front of the vehicle frame. Anglers Aluminum Products in Wanchese, NC makes some very nice ones (they are not cheap) along with custom mounting kits.
You will want to have the roll bar mounted in the forward most position you can get out of it. (I was hoping to get them a little closer to cab) which still looks good, when you see the photo of the holes drilled you will understand why. The front kickers align partially over the top of the front tie down holes in the bed. You might want to cut a small corner off (the one that does not have a bolt in it) from the plate that is right over tie down hole and regain use of it. The other bolt that holds down the same base plate mentioned needs to be changed to a self tapping bolt because you would need to drill through part of the tie down plate to get a nut on from underneath.
I decided to add a Fabtech Motorsports Pre-Runner Bumper to the front of the Dakota. After looking around at several brands, Fabtech seemed to be the best one out there. Although they did not have a Dakota Specific Model, I got the Universal Pre-Runner Bumper, and it was as if it was made for the Dakota. Fit was awesome!
This article will be about the installation of a front receiver hitch (Hidden Hitch brand) on a 1997 Dodge Ram 1500 Extended Cab 4X4 pickup. Some of you might ask, "Why would you put a receiver hitch on the front of a truck?" Well, if you live near the beaches of the east coast, there is a sport called surf fishing. This involves driving your four-wheel drive vehicle on the beach and fishing from the edge of the shore with long (typically 7í-12í) rod and reel combinations. In order to keep aromatic bait and caught fish outside of the vehicle interior, we use what is commonly called a surf rod rack. These are usually made of aluminum (to avoid saltwater corrosion), hold a fairly large cooler (40 - 100 quart) as well as rod holders, and are mounted to the front of the vehicle frame. Anglers Aluminum Products in Wanchese, NC makes some very nice ones (they are not cheap) along with custom mounting kits.
Removal is pretty straightforward.
You will want to have the roll bar mounted in the forward most position you can get out of it. (I was hoping to get them a little closer to cab) which still looks good, when you see the photo of the holes drilled you will understand why. The front kickers align partially over the top of the front tie down holes in the bed. You might want to cut a small corner off (the one that does not have a bolt in it) from the plate that is right over tie down hole and regain use of it. The other bolt that holds down the same base plate mentioned needs to be changed to a self tapping bolt because you would need to drill through part of the tie down plate to get a nut on from underneath.
I decided to add a Fabtech Motorsports Pre-Runner Bumper to the front of the Dakota. After looking around at several brands, Fabtech seemed to be the best one out there. Although they did not have a Dakota Specific Model, I got the Universal Pre-Runner Bumper, and it was as if it was made for the Dakota. Fit was awesome!