Couldn't tell much from the picture but I do want to know where you got the chrome fender trim and is that a chrome fuel door cover?

 

I took the fuel door off and took it to a chrome shop. The chrome on the fenders, I got off the internet or e-bay. Sorry I can't remember which site, I just was looking at Patriot aftermarket parts when I found them. It took me two years to get the Patriot to where it is today. I have a list that goes on and on, sometime I will list all the mods. Thanks

 

OMG please post pics!!!!! That sounds like a great idea!

 

Earthworm51 you could probably make out like a bandit if you were to sell the modified receivers.

There are several members on the board that want to have a receiver point on the front.

:smiley_thumbs_up:

 

Sorry I don't have any pictures of the actual installation. I can take a close up of the receiver and post the pictures this weekend. You can do the same set-up that I did, its not that difficult. You can even buy the receiver hitch for the rear, take the front bumper cover off and go to a welding shop. They can fab the end pieces to the hitch then you can bolt or weld it on. You'll be set up for a winch. Buy the portable winch mount and slide it in whenever need be. This way you won't have to carry all the extra weight around. One other thing, you will lose some of your approach angle do to the fact the Patriot does not sit that high even with the RRO lift like I have on mine. Good luck,you can do it. It makes for a good project, that you'll be proud of. Also don't forget to get the portable plug if you plan on putting and taking the winch on and off alot.

 

just curious

how it got around the radiator, aux cooler, (or whatever you call the second cooler)?
they hang pretty low out front,
is the hitch below it?
goes around it?

nice job by the way

 

The receiver goes in front of the cooler. The crossbar for hitch is hidden behind the plastic bumper piece and the receiver comes out below. Thats why you can only see the receiver, the rest of the hitch is hidden behind the cover. The square tube runs parallel with the cover ,it hides behind it. The only visible piece is the receiver, unless you get down and look up inside. Am I making any sense, I hope I am explaining it so it is easy to visualize, if not please contact me again. If you can weld then it will save you some money. See the opening where the license plate is, the tube hides behind the piece at the bottom of license plate, which is at the bottom of the cooler. I'm going in circles here, I hope it makes sense. Thanks

 

Beautiful, and the front hitch can be handy for many things. Much easier to manuver a boat or trailer too, like when parking, or launching.

A winch that slides on the receiver is smart too, use it front or back. You don't need to leave it out in the weather and road salt either. Mine is like that too. Although once or twice I could have used it to drag a log/tree off the road and not had it with me.

 

What brand/model hitch did you use, and how much modification was needed to mount it to the hook holes. Also, do you think the hooks would still fit? Depending on cost, a hitch may be cheaper for those without hooks to install, and it could then be used as a pull-point or mounting point for a winch or other gear.

 

U-Haul, and its been on there for close to two years. Yes you could still use your tow hooks if my memory serves me correctly. The front end comes off easy,once you get it off you'll get a good idea as to how you need to modify hitch to meet your needs for the tow hooks. If I could do it you'll have no problem. I don't have a welder,so if you or your buddies have one no problem. I came up with the idea took the measurements,and had my friend that owns a muffler shop do the welding that needed to be done. it makes for a good project not to expensive,and something you'll be proud of when its finished and on your Jeep. Good Luck and please let me know how it turns out, post some pictures for the other members that are interested. Thanks for your interest.

 

I would like to have these just for city parking. I already have a scratch on my bumper from someone backing into my Jeep! These would be nice to take the hit for my painted bumpers! More details please!epper:

 

Super Bumper.com they're on the internet yahoo The bumper fits in receiver hitch,has rubber that absorbs the impact. The bumper part that goes in the reciever has an oblong hole so if your hit it slides in with impact and the rubber absorbs it then . slides back out to normal position. Check out the website it shows everything

 

How much did this cost?

I decided not to do tow hooks because of the cost of parts and the pain in the butt cutting the front plastic. This looks like the best alternative I have seen to get a front end tow point. Unless someone else has seen an even more economical front end tow point.

 

It can come in handy as I can take the Impact bumper off and slide my winch in when need be, also change to my other set of Cooper SST tires, they're Knarly like a mud terrain with some siping. Then head for the snow. Anyway take your front end off,its easy. The tow hook mounts are like where my aftermarket bumper mounts are on My Jeep Comanche, very similar. My Comanche aftermarket bumper came with brackets that were used to mount the bumper, the brackets are almost identical. The Patriot unibody is very similar to Cherokee and Comanche. Amazing the simularaties of the three. anyway you can make one, just take the front end off ,its easy and you'll get the idea. Those Scan Guages are nice to have aren't they, I have one too. It's nice to know your engine temp and IAT temp too.

 

Earthworm, what brand/model hitch did you use?

 

07 Jeep Patriot rear hitch from U-Haul. I bought one for the rear of my Patriot from them then I came up with the idea for the front, so I bought two from U-haul. The weather is bad here ,I wanted to get some close up photos but will try another time. You can still see the U-Haul sticker on the cross tube,I never removed it. You may be able to find a cheaper hitch on the internet or E-Bay. The shipping cost would probably not be worth it. Find one local, U-Haul just happened to have the Patriot in stock.

 

Hey there.
I've been looking for something to do with my Pat. Up here in in Manitoba we get a fair chunk of ice and snow and I've been looking for something fairly solid I could use to tow (or tow with) my Jeep when the snow wins. This sounds like a good option. Did you have to do anything to mod the Jeep for this to work?

 

No, just modified a U-Haul hitch for the rear, and put it on the front. Take your frontend off, its easy and you'll see what you need to do. Not that difficult.

 

jpenner, do a search for tow hooks here. you can also install them. Check the knowledge base forum.

 

Either way I'd have to take the bumper off. Is there anythiing to be concerned of there (bumper pads, airbag sensors...) or is it just clips, bolts, and the like? My Pat is fairly new and I like having a warranty.

 

The plastic cover you take off for the install is not the actual bumper. There is a steel bumper behind the plastic, which you do not touch in the install. There should be no concern over warranty in removing your bumper cover.

Honestly, with the cost of hooks, and work to install them, I'd personally go for the front hitch, which can be used as a pull point, and mount for accessories (winch).

 

Honestly, with the cost of hooks, and work to install them, I'd personally go for the front hitch, which can be used as a pull point, and mount for accessories (winch).

assuming you have access to a machine shop and a welder...

 

Also want to install a front receiver

Earthworm
I posted a few months ago looking for front receiver hitch mounting information to no avail. PSU Patriot posted a thread with pictures but did not respond to my inquiry about how he did it. He planned to use a Reese Towpower Multi-Fit receiver but did not elaborate on the finished product. If you used the same U-Haul rear receiver (with modifications) for the front, then I should be able to use any manufacturer's model that fits the rear of the Patriot with modifications,right? Can you provide more information as to modifications made to the receiver, etc. as I am eager to get this done for my surf fishing trips.
Thanks:notworthy:

 

Thanks Dawson and Earthworm. I'll take a look this weekend and see it all up close.

On an unrelated note, how are you guys finding the all-terrain tires for winter driving? So far I'm finding the combo of A/Ts, Traction control, and abs to be holding up pretty well. I'm able to go places my friends '95 Sierra 4x4 dsl can't go.

 

Heckler you have a lot of knowledge,the tow hooks are a great idea. A winch sure can come in handy for self help and there are some inexpensive ones on the market. I look at it as cheap insurance, even if I rarely use it. My Patriot didn't come with tow hooks and I wanted to be able to slide a winch on and slide it out as needed. I was going to have a bumper made but changed my mind. I see some nice bumpers on this website that I would like to have, but the ones I have seen is like where are you going to put the winch? Plus the added weight. Anyway I love this Website, very informatve, I've been reading your Posts ,lots of information, keep feeding us with info.Thanks

 

Dawson are you going to build one? If so are you going to take some photos to post. so other members can see? It sure would be a big help. Thanks