Tow Hitch Install this weekend....
 

So, am i nuts if i wanna attempt this install all by myself...this weekend?

Dealer has the parts in stock, and i'm thinking of picking it up and doing the install over the long weekend. No one really to help, well maybe my wife...

I've printed all the instructions from the homepage...but before i start, just wanna know if i'll be overwhelmed...

thanks
franklin

p/s: trying to avoid the $600 dealer labor charge.

I did mine in about 6 hours by myself. There are many threads on hitch DIY. If you have all of the correct metric tools you should be OK. A second set of hands is nice for the final alignment of the bumper and the trailer wiring connection is a bit of a puzzle. Good luck

I think the only assistance you will need is physically removing the bumper. It is heavy and awkward and really is a 2 person job.

hmm...ok. I'll give it a shot this weekend...will bribe the wife to help for a bit too. And if i dont finish it, oh well...will get the shop to finish it.

Thanks yall and have a great weekend.

Make sure you have all the torx screws or you'll be running to Autozone.

:iagree: done it and not that difficult...just time consuming.

If you have two cardboard boxes, reasonably sturdy, you can use them to hold up the rear bumper. It is then much easier to do it with one person. Cut the boxes to ensure you are holding the bumper at approximately the correct height.

I did it in 4.5 hours, myself, and only had to pause to find the correct Torx bits. I didn't drop the exhaust completely, I just dropped it enough to get the socket extension up to the bolts. I sat the exhaust on jack stands to make sure it didn't sag too far down.

When you reinstall the two bumper shocks make sure they are at the highest point in the holes. The holes were drilled larger so theres some play. It took me a while to figure out why there was so much gap between the fold down tailgate and the rear bumper.

ah...thanks for this tip....will check on it tomorrow.

Its not as difficult as i initially thought. Got the hitch installed (alone) and all that's left is to put the muffler, bumper and trunk trim back on. Will do that tomorrow, my back is killing me now.

thanks to the instructions here, i saved $600!!!

Got everything done...phew...
There is a slightly bigger bumper gap than before, and i adjusted the bar as high as i can.
Anything else can be done? or it is what it is?

thanks
franklin

I had the same gap after my installation, I promise no one will ever notice. Otherwise, good job!

Unfortunetly I didn't read this thread before I installed my hitch this past weekend and I have a gap as well. Does anyone know how much disassembly is required to adjust the hitch?

What do you need to adjust? The hitch or the rear bumper cover?

There is a gap between the bumper and the tailgate. I was under the assumption that I had to adjust the hitch upward to fix the bumper since that is what it is bolted too.

There is not that much work involved to make the adjustment. If you do a search on hitch or gap you will find some threads about this. Here is one I found on a quick search which has some tips: http://www.xoutpost.com/x5-e53-forum/...?highlight=gap

Thanks:thumbup:

Where'd ya buy the hitch and wiring harness?


and how much?