TEEEE Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 I just bought a '03 Baja and need to put a hitch on it. Any advice on which brand looks best? Any to avoid that hang too low beneath the bumper? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezapar Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 John Mudrat lives in Eugene, he can make whatever you need. You don't necessarily have to remove the bumper either. Here's a bumper he did for an 04 turbo Baha. http://usmb.net/gallery/album115 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
subyroo Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 Originally posted by Zapar John Mudrat lives in Eugene, he can make whatever you need. You don't necessarily have to remove the bumper either. Here's a bumper he did for an 04 turbo Baha. http://usmb.net/gallery/album115 Does that bar allow for the airbags to be deployed under normal circumstances?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezapar Posted February 24, 2004 Share Posted February 24, 2004 Yes. The sensors remain intact, in place, untouched. The new bumper attaches using the existing mounts. unbolt, bolt on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamarisk Posted February 27, 2004 Share Posted February 27, 2004 I too am looking for a trailer hitch for my 03 Baja......gotta be one that tucks up as far as possible behind the bumper though.....can't stand the way some of the hitches out there are designed these days.....anybody got a brand in mind? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEEEE Posted February 28, 2004 Author Share Posted February 28, 2004 I’ve been doing a little research on this. Between all the aftermarket companies there seems to be two styles. One that says no drilling is required, but it bolts to the bumper beam and the two tow points. This style hangs down below the bumper. The second style uses the bumper beam but also has u-bolts drilled into the chassis cross member. This one is tucked up behind the bumper, but requires drilling into the chassis cross member. The dealership tells me that the Subaru hitch is tucked up behind the bumper (like I’ve seen on Outbacks) but that no drilling is required. The part is $276, but includes the wiring harness. I’m going to look at it this afternoon.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamarisk Posted February 28, 2004 Share Posted February 28, 2004 I'd appreciate your opinion of the Subaru version you're going to look at.......from what I've seen online, an outfit by the name of DahLan (sp?) makes a hitch that is apparently tucked up underneath too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEEEE Posted March 1, 2004 Author Share Posted March 1, 2004 I bought the Subaru hitch and installed it this weekend. Got it for $225 including the wiring harness and a ball mount. Everything but the ball. It looks good, it isn't ALL behind the bumber, but looks pretty clean. I'll try to get a pic of it for you. After installing it (which was very easy) I would NOT recommend the hitches that drill into the chasis cross-member. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rigfennid Posted March 1, 2004 Share Posted March 1, 2004 I looked at a couple from U-Haul and other places and ended up scoring the Subaru item for $125 off ebay. I bought the wiring separately (can't remember $$). I DID need to trim the black plastic at the bottom of the bumper but MUCH prefer that to the other "low-slung" units. Don't drill if it isn't absolutely necessary!! Go OEM in this instance! Just my $.02 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TEEEE Posted March 1, 2004 Author Share Posted March 1, 2004 I looked on eBay, but not very hard. The complete kit from the dealer was nice in this case since they had one in stock, I wanted to take a look at it first, it was entirely complete with hardware, wiring, ball mount, etc, and I didn’t have to deal with bidding and shipping. Sounds like you got a great deal though. I just paid the “convenience penalty”... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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