Does any one know if Add On Hitches are Bolt on or do you have to drill new holes to mount them. I'm trying to decide if I should just order one online or go have one put on.

 

99% of hitches these days are vehicle specific and use existing holes. Thing is to make sure you add on extra transmission cooling, temp monitoring, etc. The LEAST important part of a factory towing package is the hitch. Can easily be done yourself, but most likely you're going to want to invite a buddy over for a couple of beers when you decide to install it--trying to hold the hitch in place while you try to get the first bolt through all by yourself is freaking tough--I did it on my last vehicle.

 

2003 and earlier are bolt-on, at least the ones I have had. I can't swear about the 2004, but I suspect they, too, are bolt-on.



https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=4520

 

I went to Discount Hitch. $125 installed. But they did have to drill holes. They said they have had to drill holes on every 2004 F150 new body style they have installed on.

 

I had the shop that installed my muffler do the hitch. No markings on it, but it was strictly bolt-on. I watched him do it.

 

A friend and I installed mine, took about 45 min. and it bolted on. I ordered mine from www.hitchmart.com it is Hidden Hitch brand.

 

I have a 04 Lariat 5.5 stylside, I bought the draw tite hitch on the internet for about $135. It installed in about 30 minutes with two people. The holes are in the frame, there is no drilling, just bolt on. Most dealers in my area wanted close to $200, installed. so I saved a few dollars. Most hitch websites show the directions in pdf format so you can print them out.

 

Just installed a Hidden Hitch roundtube class III on my '04 Supercab. I bought it from JC Whitney for about $150 delivered. Looks WAY better than the square-tube hitch.

It took three bolts on each side through the existing frame holes. It was about a 30 min. installation. The hardest part was "fishing" the bolts through the boxed frame section, but they provide some steel wires to help you out.

Looky here: www.angelfire.com/space/vache/sign.html