If you are like me and ended up with a Jeep that has the factory rear tow hook, you were immediately looking for a 2.5" hitch solution that doesn't cost a fortune. I have a small trailer that I need to move around on occasion, and that hook wasn't doing me much good. So, after doing a ton of research, I found the most cost effective hitch solution can be found at www.roughcountry.com for the bottom basement price of $89.99 (Thank you to Jason at ext 121 once again). For that price, here is what you get:


It also includes all of the stainless hardware needed for installation, consisting of 4 bolts and 4 lock washers.

The installation is extremely easy. First thing, allow your Jeep to cool off or you WILL burn the crap out of your knuckles on the muffler (ouch, TRUST ME)Using an 18mm wrench (preferabley a ratchet wrench, just makes it faster), remove the 3 bolts holding the factory tow hook in place, as seen below:


Be careful not to drop the hook on your face when removing the last bolt.

The next step is just the reverse. Holding the hitch in place, line it up with the 4 holes in the frame (yes there are 4, the hook only uses 3 of them) and slide one of the end bolts through and finger tighten. Then slide the other end bolt in and do the same. Then the middle bolts. Using a 5/16th ratchet wrench, tighten and you are good to go. The supplied bolts have much smaller heads on them, so make sure to bring that extra wrench with you to avoid having to crawl back out from under your Jeep to go find it.


And the finished product looks factory:


Next up, wiring in a pigtail for the trailer lights.

 

thanks for posting this man, as im in the market and was hoping for something cheaper than what jeep offers.

 

Cool. Call Jason at Rough Country 1-800-222-7023 x121 and he will get you hooked up. I looked at a ton of hitches, and this one was by far the best deal going.

 

Looks just the Mopar one I bought. Nice job.

 

I wish I knew about that one before I boght my Reese (it sticks out a couple of inches past the bumper, yours looks flush)

Oh well, not the first mistake I've ever made, certainly not the last

 

That's exactly the one I purchased. I think it took longer to read this thread than it did to actually do the install

Nice writeup thanks for sharing

 

Yeah I wished I would have seen this one first. I ordered the Hidden Hitch for my JK and it sticks out a lot farther. I like the flush look better. I'll probably replace the one I have after I break it off wheeling... haha

 

But seriously, I bet that would really hurt.

 

Thanks for the info Westbayou. I called Jason up last Tuesday and had my new hitch installed by Friday. Looks great. Thanks again.

 

Custom ordered a Rubicon....forgot the tow package. Kinda glad I did. Just ordered from Jason. Seems like he's a popular guy.