I do have to say, that if that hitch is what is holding your bumper on, then someone has mickey moused the whole set up. It should have bumper brackets with or without the hitch that hold the bumper. Both are connected to the fram, but not to each other. At least none of the ones from the factory that I have had.

 

Okay, so it sounds like the setup on my truck is basically a POS. I'd still really like to see a pic from underneath of another 04 just so I can see what it is supposed to look like.

Thanks,
Greg

 

I just did a recon mission to my neighbor's truck, and yours IS the stock receiver - it's just missing a MAJOR component: the big arm that runs forward under the spring bracket.



I saw one of those trucks in a junkyard recently. If you can't find the parts locally at a decent price, e-mail me & I'll see if it has those arms & bolts.

 

Wow, thanks alot for getting that pic. I'm going to have to do some digging and try to find a part number for that arm. That is certainly a huge fatcor in keeping the receiver from angling the way mine is.

Thanks

 

Seeing as how you just got the truck, why not take it back there and raise hell for them selling you a truck with an unsafe hitch?

 

Steve83: you are right about the braces, and thanks a ton for going on the recon mission.

I just saw an F150 pull in to my parking lot and snuck a peak at the hitch. Those braces are huge, and deffinately missing on my truck. Best I can figure is that at some point the prvious owner installed the new hitch/bumper assembly but didn't know about the braces. I don't have the big trans cooler or 7-pin connector so it was not factory installed with a towing package. I am going to contact some local junk yards and see if I can grab them off a used truck.

If I can get them cheap I will otherwise I'll be fighting with the dealership. They were a major PITA during the sale and I'd expect nothing less if I go back. I know they'll just say it wasn't factory so they aren't responsible, but selling a VERY unsafe hitch has to put some responsibility on them.

 

There is more wrong on that than just missing brackets - the bumper and hitch are independent and yours appear to be somewhat welded together. Those extra 2" tubes welded to the main tube don't belong.

That is a disaster waiting to happen. Get a good look and pictures of a factory set up and look for all the missing and extra bits.

 

I don't agree here with you about the bumper being separate on early 04 models. The pic Steve83 posted, as well as a pic posted by another member both have the same 2" tubes welded on there. In late 04 and up it is different, but I believe this is correct for early 04 models.

 

Yes you are right, the bumper reinforcment is the internal structure of the bumper. If you have the factory classIII hitch receiver, that is part of the bumper reinforcment. You are missing those large outer brackets shown it the recon pics.
2004-2005 rear bumpers are the same mounting style. 2006+ changes drastically, and will not interchange with 04-05's.

 

I stand corrected, I'm going from my aging memory.