Been doing research for Hummer H3 front hitch mount

[Happy Hummer]

Been doing research for Hummer H3 front hitch mount. For those who are unaware it is getting very difficult to
find the necessary parts to even install a front hitch mount, let alone find the actual information on the product dimensions.
It is as though the companies are conspiring to keep all pertinent info on the DL. [J/K]

So here goes:

On a 2010 Chevrolet Colorado 4x4, the distance between the center of the front tow points is 38 inches.
This measurement was corroborated by multiple owners and can be used to ensure the proper fit of
aftermarket bumpers or recovery accessories. The distance from the outside edge of each hook is approximately 42 inches.

Part #:
Curt 31221

2" Front Receiver Hitch, Select Chevrolet Colorado, GMC Canyon

Increasing the functionality of truck, Jeep, van or SUV as a work machine or recreational vehicle is all too easy with a CURT front mount hitch. A front receiver hitch equips your vehicle with an industry-standard receiver tube opening, enabling you to add cargo space, mount a winch, launch a...

www.curtmfg.com

Item length: 32.69 inches.
Item width: 11.75 inches.
Item height: 10.96 inches.
Product weight: 32 lbs.
Receiver tube size: 2" x 2" opening.
Pin hole diameter: 5/8".


For a 2010 Hummer H3, the space between the front tow hooks is approximately 38 inches, measured from the center of each hook.
Here are some other related measurements reported by H3 owners that might be useful for bumper or recovery equipment installation:
Center-to-center of the tow hooks: 38 inches.
Outside edge-to-outside edge of the hooks: 42 inches.
Inside edge-to-inside edge of the hooks: 33.5 inches.

Product #:
Curt 31270 (many vendors list as unobtanium)

Product dimensions (item): 26.25 inches (length) x 10.25 inches (width) x 8.75 inches (height).
Product weight: 29 pounds.

This hitch is installed between the frame rails.

Conclusion?

I've measured my 2007 base Hummer H3 and the outside dimensions of the front frame rails is 32" (give or take).
So, theoretically the Colorado hitch should fit the spacing.

Has anyone done this Mod?
Can you in fact fit this hitch?

I've got welding and plasma equipment so moding is not out of the question.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Follow up! Called Curt Mfg. 090925 (1-877-287-8634)
The Hummer H3 hitch part# 31270
This has definitely been discontinued. There is no date or anything showing a production run or the like.

 

[Jeepwalker]

What is your plan ...with the hitch mount?

You could just get some heavy-wall square tube and some plate steel & weld one up. Add any custom touches you want/need for your application. Sounds like you've thought about doing that already... Good luck. If you get one installed or made-up, show us your handywork.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Contacted Bullet Proof Hitches. Lol! Nope! The don't have one nor have any plans for a release.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Ordered the Curt 31221 hitch just a bit ago. Got it at Jungle Store. Right now they are selling with a good percentage off and free delivery. Just couldn't pass up at under $185 shipped.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Well, almost a week later and they've confirmed it is shipped. Boy the Jungle Store used to s/h stuff laser fast with primal. Now its a slugg fest.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Cant make this chit up lol! I waited patiently for the week for delivery and they s/h it last night. Arrives on porch with box shredded on the end and broken thru. One of the up right mounts has been tweaked 1/4" over . It is still physically in tack and I'll more than likely need to make mods but wow has prime gotten crumy.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Okie dokie ,
Started working on fitting hitch to 08 h3 today. Best I can offer is the dimensions of the actual metal of hitch 31221 is a dead match for 08 h3 front frame rails.
The obstacles are minimal but the actual alignment of holes are off by 3/8" minimum.
It is going to be necessary to fab some adapter plates and spacers to make the hitch fit exactly .
I'm doing a video as I go so it will at some future point be available.
So again this is not a point and click. There is some fab work but doable .

 

[Happy Hummer]

I'll keep posting as time permits.

 

[Happy Hummer]

So, worked on a template and did some drilling. Step bits are important to the process. I went ahead and fixed a bunch of broken mounts on the grill and bumper. PO broke when doing radiator.
I wish he would have just left the radiator because it's taking hours to fab replacement pieces.

 

[Happy Hummer]

Well, lol! another long evening after business today working on adapting the 31221 hitch to H3.
It is an absolute pita by/at this point but at least I didn't have to start from scratch.
Just lots of stuff I'm running into. I'm sitting here pondering over this project and I will need more time yet again to try to bring it completion. I can say if your faint of heart about mod"n and drilling on your H3 frame maybe pass this up.

 

[ASUWERE]

I own the Predator H3 Winch Bumper System with a powder coated Factor 55 Ultrahook winch hook. Love that it's built in. www.predator.com - www.factor55.com

 

[Happy Hummer]

Well, we brought it to completion tonight.
Just got done at 8:30pm.
Chose to add another bolt to the hitch so as to maximize my mounting points and to safe guard against a failure. So, to bring it home feels darn good but freaking exhausted by this project. I burned through two multi packs of Harbor Freight drill bit (varying sizes) and 3 Uni bits. Shattered 3 drill bits and one exploded. Be extra careful with HF bits. They are truly dangerous (jmho). Had on my PPE so that is something to be thankful for.

The Curt Hitch 31221 which is originally designed for (04-12 Chevy Colorado/Canyon) does fit but you have to work at it. Man and do I mean work at. I'm sure I've got well past 30-50 man hours into this thing but it turned out really solid. There are two 1/2" Grade 8 bolts pure side located on the lower portion of the frame + a massive 1" bolt on the upper bout of side frame rail, again Grade 8. Then I've made certain to capture the rear most portion of the hitch plate under the front most bolt (Grade 10.9) for the sway bar bushing mount. I've also placed a 1/4" piece of mild steel (painted black of course) with proper bolt spacing under the sway bar bushing mounting position. For good measure replaced the sway bar bushings as PO destroyed them by heating them while working on something.

On a side note: the PO was a total twat. Gosh I mean the inside of the bumper and grill are just destroyed. Instead of being patient and removing clips and fasteners the twat just shattered plastic and cut stuff hap-hazardly. I was quite p!ssed when I saw the carnage. They broke the clips and mounts of the backside of the grill as well broke the mount behind the bumper that supports the drivers side. A bunch of Sheetmetal work this week to fab up some suedo supports took better part of my day off.

I also took the time to tear apart the front bumper and the mounting D-Ring hardware. Cleaned everything , sanded, wire brushed then spray-painted a nice Gray color. Also, repainted the hitch before install and then did touch up with a nice black enamel spray paint. Painted over all the new hardware underneath as well. I live in the rust capitol of America (S.E. WI.) (you can here the H3 just rusting in the driveway standing still in winter.

I'm now moving on to another project.

p.s. I bet your gonna say it hangs to low but it is actually higher then the front cross member. So with a 2" hitch plate installed it will be golden. Something like this:

 

[Happy Hummer]

Wow, you are a truly blessed person. The Predator H3 Winch Bumper System is well north of $2k. My lowly Lil setup was 30-50 man hours and south of $400.
Beautiful bumper. The factor 55 hook cost more than my Curt hitch. I been blessed with grit, persistence and determination so went the affordable route, for me at least but if I had that kinda, doe Rey mi, I definitely would buy the products you shared. Your very fortunate indeed.

 

[Happy Hummer]

This hitch can do a 9k straight line pull (with correct Winch, mount and pin) .
The truck weighs under 6k all day. So, with a 10-12k Winch it should pull nicely.

1/2-inch diameter Grade 8 bolt has a minimum tensile strength of 150,000 PSI, and its shear strength is approximately 90,000 psi, or 12,600 lbs, based on an estimated 60% shear factor of the tensile strength and using the bolt's stress area of 0.1419 sq. in. The minimum proof load for this bolt is 120,000 PSI.
(4 used)

1-inch Grade 8 bolt has a minimum tensile strength of 150,000 psi and a shear strength of approximately 90,000 psi, which is calculated as 60% of its tensile strength. This means the shear force required to fail the bolt is about 90,000 psi.
(2 used)

And for safe measures I've added the 10.9 metric front sway bar bolt.

Just figured if someone else does this mod you should know your potential benefits of it.