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sorry, it was probably the MX5 I was thinking of. Curt Mfg makes one for the S1. Pretty sure it’s a different company than Curtis. Think I’d try to get one custom made with the vertical receiver. This is the one from Harddog for the NC MX5
I received my Curt a few weeks ago and got around to installing it. No need to modify the rear bumper as the receiver tucks underneath.
For the Series 2 you will need to modify the angled supports to clear the mufflers. Pretty simple if you can weld, or like me, you know a good one locally.
The supports need to be cut off and reversed so the short tab is welded to the hitch - see photos.
I’m looking forward to biking part way to work again.
That looks great. I may try it myself but I think you are making it look too easy. So I have a few questions if you can help.
How did you remove the braces? It looks like using an angle grinder to cut the brace off leaving the part on the cross bar and then grinding that down would work.
Did it actually fit as perfectly as it looks? Did you have to do any height adjustments or bend the braces?
I am thinking of bolting the braces back on instead of welding, what are your thoughts on that?
Again, excellent job. I also would just need it for a bike or two. Thanks for sharing.
I have zilch for welding ability so my difficulty was getting that part done. Used a local fellow I work with maintaining work boats.
To remove the braces I used a cutting wheel on a grinder along with a cold chisel. Cleaned up the welded areas with a grinder. The braces are just swapped so the short tab is welded to the hitch bar (square to the bar). Nothing need to be bent.
You could probably bolt everything together but, there might be too much play in the joints on the hitch bar.
Painted the bare spots with chassis and roll bar paint.
I don’t know what cat-back is on my car but, everything clears. Get some rubber padded tape or cut sections of 3/8 fuel line to stop the annoying rattle of the heat shield on the hitch bar (the shield rests on top).
I cycle commute and in the winter dark months take my car part way to avoid death. Hitch works great for my gravel bike with commuter bags. Probably good enough for 2 bikes but, I’m not brave enough to use my 4 bike rack on this car.
Last edited by Meat Head; Nov 10, 2020 at 04:59 PM.
if you look at the before picture I posted, he just cut the welds loose where the long end of the brackets are welded to the hitch bar, flipped the brackets 180* so the short end of the bracket is now at the hitch bar as in the after picture, and welded it up like that.
that’s why I added the before pic, it wasn’t clear to me until I compared them
.
Was looking at what the options are as far as installing a trailer hitch on the 8 to tow a small trailer (holding track wheels/tires, some tools, etc) to and from the track. There are some 'stealthy' trailer hitches on for the series I with the hitch coming out of the little rotary shaped piece on the rear bumper, but after a search for "trailer hitch" and "trailer hitch install", I didn't see anything related to an SII with a date 2009 or later.
Anyone have this done before? If so, pics/experience/thoughts?
thanks,
PCS
I personally think this is a great idea and I'm doing it right now to mine I got the six-speed so maybe burn the clutch a little bit but this 1.3 rotary has plenty of power I'm just welding a 2in receiver hitch directly through the triangle piece of plastic that I'm going to cut out with a Dremel tool can braces they go to the frame I'm going to weld straight to it
A lot of guys tow a small trailer to the track to carry their R-comps, a jack, and a small assortment of tools. I'm just not convinced an 8 has enough torque to actually get moving.
I Created an account just to respond to this comment alone cuz I don't understand why people underestimate the 8 I have converted my 04 to live in while I got up the cash for a trailer and bought the tow hitch for her less than half an hour ago after she towed a 3,300lb 2006 Chevy Impala for 10 miles in fort worth tx with no issues 🤷....I figured people keep saying they would never go over 1,000lbs and I don't intend to but she pulled with ease so I KNOW she will be fine. Thank y'all for letting me post have a great night.
I Created an account just to respond to this comment alone cuz I don't understand why people underestimate the 8 I have converted my 04 to live in while I got up the cash for a trailer and bought the tow hitch for her less than half an hour ago after she towed a 3,300lb 2006 Chevy Impala for 10 miles in fort worth tx with no issues 🤷....I figured people keep saying they would never go over 1,000lbs and I don't intend to but she pulled with ease so I KNOW she will be fine. Thank y'all for letting me post have a great night.
You'll have to post the trailer hitch type and install details. I'm interested for my 2010 GT.
You'll have to post the trailer hitch type and install details. I'm interested for my 2010 GT.
Take a look at post 28 to 30 (Team’s clarification) of the Curt hitch installed on my 2010. Buy the model for the 2004-2008 years then re-weld the support tabs. Still working well on my car today.
Just as a data point, I installed this hitch on an S2, and I didn't have to flip/reweld anything.
I found a used one on FB marketplace for next to nothing, but it was in garbage condition, so I cleaned it up, painted it with bedliner, and it's as good as new. Been carrying bikes ever since.
