I have the same hitch installed on my 98 Explorer Sport. It does require
bending the forward part of the spare tire carrier to get the spare tire
back under the vehicle. I used a sledge hammer.


"Fathergoose" > wrote in message
news:La8Fg.13340$9v1.6467@trnddc07...
> Has anyone had any experience with the hitches for 2000 AWD Explorer V8
> with 16 inch tires?
>
> I am looking at the Hidden-Hitch model #70647 round tube Class III-IV.
>
> In the installation instructions it says a minor modification needs to be
> made.
> The mod is to bend the forward spare tire catcher 1/2 inch forwards
> towards the front of the vehicle.
> This is in order to be able to keep the 16 inch spare tire in place under
> the vehicle.
>
> My question could it be pushed forward while the hitch is bolted on the
> frame or does it mean absolutely it needs to be bent permanently?
> If bent for good what method is supposed to be used?
>
> Here is the link;
> http://search.cartserver.com/search/...h3053&GO=GO%21
> If you want to look at the installation instructions a link is there to
> click on. It is there it mentions the modification that needs to be made.
>
> I am wanting to have it be having the sleek contour that this hitch would
> give me. Where part of it is recessed and curved to fit the look of the
> rear of the Explorer.
>
> Can someone help me understand the obvious here?
> thanks for reading .
>
> --
> ~Bill~
>