I just installed the Mopar hitch and had promised to post pics and notes. So here goes. Refer to attached pics.

Pic 1 - The hitch comes with hardware pack and plastic receiver plug (with "Jeep" name on it). Hitch appears well made. According to the Valley Inc rep (who makes the hitch) the anticorrosion finish is per Mopar specs and is better than their typical commercial product. The included install instructions are "wordless" - they definitely could be better but turned out to be adequate. I also separately ordered a Mopar 1 1/4" drawbar - as I recall, Valley Inc recommends a longer-than-typical drawbar for this configuration so thats what I got.

Pic 2 - The kit comes with a paper template that you cut out and tape to the bumper facia - you use small tabs on the bumper to align the template. Pretty easy. I used some masking tape on the bumper around the cut line to protect finish during cutting, and traced line with a sharpie.

Pic 3 - Shows the cutout, which I did using a sabre saw and fine tooth blade, which worked well enough. Be mindful of any wiring behind where you cut. Not hard, and the included trim strip hides any ragged edges on the cut.

Pic 4 - Since I didnt have a helper I used a jack to raise and support the hitch. Note - I have an FDII and had to remove the tow hook prior to hitch install, as hitch shares tow hook mounting holes. Tow hook bolts were tight and took some muscle to loosen.

Pic 5 - Done! Looks good to me. Use a torque wrench to do final bolt tightening to the torque values in the instructions!

General notes: It helps to have a few different socket wrench handle types as its kinda tight working quarters. I re-used the tow hook mounting bolts to mount the hitch on the drivers side, as I couldnt easily remove the orig bolts from the tow hook/bracket assy. The new nuts appear to be threadlock type judging by the torque required to thread them on the bolts. Just 5 bolts total, but a fair amount of wrench turning is needed.

Looks good!
Did you paint your muffler?

Very nice clean job! Is there also a Mopar hitch (a hidden-hitch?) that allows you to attach a trailer hitch, but doesn't require you to cut into the bumper?

Very nice clean job! Is there also a Mopar hitch (a hidden-hitch?) that allows you to attach a trailer hitch, but doesn't require you to cut into the bumper?

yes there is and it is a lot cheaper!!

Looks good!
Did you paint your muffler?

Thanks!
Yes - used self-etching primer (dupli-color I think) and finished with some old wood stove paint I had lying around. So far the paint has held up well after 3 mos and 2500 miles.

Very nice clean job! Is there also a Mopar hitch (a hidden-hitch?) that allows you to attach a trailer hitch, but doesn't require you to cut into the bumper?

Yes, as Hasty pointed out there is at least one manufacturer that sells a hitch that places the receiver hole under the bumper fascia. That gives you the flexibility of choosing a 2" receiver if that is your preference. BTW I paid about $180 for the hitch at Camp Jeep (after 10% Camp Jeep discount).

I can understand some folks not liking the looks of the cutout - that is a matter of personal preference. But the marking and cutting out the piece is not hard at all and I would not choose an under-bumper mount just to save the work associated with the cutout.

That looks really good, thanks for the pictures/info!

I'm liking the look. I'm about to do the same thing. I need to go winterize the jetski sometime soon. I appreciate the write up and the pics gives me an idea of whats going to be involved

You should post this in the "Knowledge base" forum. then I can find it later when it comes time to install mine!!!! good info, and I like the cut-out, does it come in 2"?

<snip> does it come in 2"?

http://www.jeeppatriot.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2010

close, but I was wondering if you could get the cut-out style (like the guy above) in a 2", not the "Hidden hitch" style...

Mopar only does 1-1/4 and all the aftermarket ones I have seen have been installed below bumper, doesn't mean it doesn't or won't exist. Maybe someone else?

wow,that looks great!! added pluses include being able to jack up the
Patriot& SAFETY I would imagine that would add to the safety of the
vehicle. I need the 2" receiver I have a bike rack that
is 2" and a" rack shelf "that has a 2" . I am wondering if I can
transfer the hitch from my 96 grand caravan ??? any ideas???

i am not sure if you can transfer the caravan hitch. I do know that Draw Tight makes a 2" hitch and installs really easy. It is 4 bolts and you are done. I have that one on my jeep as I have a bike rack i needed too. I highly recommend that one.

Let's see here, if you would like a 2 inch hitch receiver that bolts up to the Patriot for under $130.00 check the link below.

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/tf-Browse/s-10101/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2009930/p-2009930/N-111+2007+200732584+600002360/c-10101

found a 2" with free shipping!!!!!!
no cutting bumper required
129.95
http://www.hitchmart.com/$spindb.query.hitchinfo-2.hitchview.87422

found a 2" with free shipping!!!!!!
no cutting bumper required
129.95
http://www.hitchmart.com/$spindb.query.hitchinfo-2.hitchview.87422

If the specs are correct, that is the same 2" class III HiddenHitch brand receiver that jcw is selling for the same price. Can't beat the free shipping though. :smiley_thumbs_up:
That's like $23.00 for shipping had I purchased from jcw.

Thats a great price. I looked all over town and everyone said they could order one and it would be anywhere from 150.00 to 200.00. I then found a shop the had a draw tight for 128.00 out the door. I love being able to just throw the road bike on the back now as opposed to in the jeep.

Ordered mine from HIYCHMART yesterday.
Got UPS confirmations & it will be delivered to my
door in New Mexico Wednesday.

http://www.hitchmart.com/commerce/product.jsp?prodId=984&catId=1

If the specs are correct, that is the same 2" class III HiddenHitch brand receiver that jcw is selling for the same price. Can't beat the free shipping though. :smiley_thumbs_up:
That's like $23.00 for shipping had I purchased from jcw.

So with the one you have, as with this one, you do not have to cut the bumper? Any pix?

That would be awesome. Me and Jackie def want a hitch, but I want to do the install myself, rather than paying someone. Cutting the bumper was kinda of the 'make it or break it' decision point...but this might be the ticket if I do not have to cut.

We mainly want it for our MTBs as well. I'm not planning on using it for anything else...but good to have!

Let me know if you have some pix of the install. Thanks, Ollie

18OLLIE> Sat AM I just bolted up the hidden hitch
all you need is (2) 15/16" wrenches/// did not take long.
I was impressed how it fit, NO CUTTING NEEDED!
Hitchmart got it to me by Wednesday & I bolted it up today.

^^ Awesome! Pix brother, pix!!

^^ Awesome! Pix brother, pix!!

Until Republic gets some posted, check this out.
http://www.indianajones.ca/jeep/hitch.html

Sweet baby Jesus! Thanks!

and the list keep growng of mods to add...I hate you people...well...kinda...actually, not really... ;)

just posted 5 pictures under gallery

Cheaper Hitch 1 1/4" (http://autoaccessconnect.stores.yahoo.net/20jecoandjep.html)
Cheaper Hitch 2" (http://www.autoaccessconnect.com/20jecoandpac.html)

Thanks for the pics of the Mopar hitch, JRX. I like the idea of having the hitch higher. Cutting the plastic part of the bumper cover doesn't look that tough.

I just installed the Mopar hitch and had promised to post pics and notes. So here goes. Refer to attached pics.

Pic 1 - The hitch comes with hardware pack and plastic receiver plug (with "Jeep" name on it). Hitch appears well made. According to the Valley Inc rep (who makes the hitch) the anticorrosion finish is per Mopar specs and is better than their typical commercial product. The included install instructions are "wordless" - they definitely could be better but turned out to be adequate. I also separately ordered a Mopar 1 1/4" drawbar - as I recall, Valley Inc recommends a longer-than-typical drawbar for this configuration so thats what I got.

Pic 2 - The kit comes with a paper template that you cut out and tape to the bumper facia - you use small tabs on the bumper to align the template. Pretty easy. I used some masking tape on the bumper around the cut line to protect finish during cutting, and traced line with a sharpie.

Pic 3 - Shows the cutout, which I did using a sabre saw and fine tooth blade, which worked well enough. Be mindful of any wiring behind where you cut. Not hard, and the included trim strip hides any ragged edges on the cut.

Pic 4 - Since I didnt have a helper I used a jack to raise and support the hitch. Note - I have an FDII and had to remove the tow hook prior to hitch install, as hitch shares tow hook mounting holes. Tow hook bolts were tight and took some muscle to loosen.

Pic 5 - Done! Looks good to me. Use a torque wrench to do final bolt tightening to the torque values in the instructions!

General notes: It helps to have a few different socket wrench handle types as its kinda tight working quarters. I re-used the tow hook mounting bolts to mount the hitch on the drivers side, as I couldnt easily remove the orig bolts from the tow hook/bracket assy. The new nuts appear to be threadlock type judging by the torque required to thread them on the bolts. Just 5 bolts total, but a fair amount of wrench turning is needed. Does anybody know what the part number for this hitch is?

Anyone can tell me what is the difference between this two hitch receivers:
PN: 82208815AC
PN: 82208815AB

More detail here (http://www.mopar-accessories.com/en-US/Jeep/2008/Patriot/partlist.aspx?DivisionId=1&Year=2008&VehicleId=34&_Model=H&Series=H&CategoryId=1002&GroupId=2017&SubGroupId=3055)!

I'm sure Mopar went with the smaller receiver since the Patriot only has a 2000lb tow rating (when properly equipped). Going to the 2" receiver allows you to exceed this quite easily. That being said, if I ever put a hitch on, I'll probably go with the 2" one also, there's just more stuff out there for it!