Does Skid Plate Need To Be Removed To Install Draw-Tite Front Mount Hitch On 1993 Jeep Cherokee?

Updated 04/06/2021 | Published 04/03/2021

Question:

Can the factory front skid plate be trimmed to work with this front hitch receiver on an XJ? I would like to add this front hitch to mount a winch in case of off-road recovery, but do not want to sacrifice the protection offered by the front skid plate.

asked by: Mark S

Expert Reply:

It is possible that you can trim the front skid plate enough to work around the Draw-Tite Front Mount Trailer Hitch Receiver # 65009 on your 1993 Jeep Cherokee, but this is not something we have done and since Draw-Tite mentions it needs to be removed it may take a bit of custom fabrication to make it work.

Another option is to go ahead and install the # 65009 and then having a skid plate made to fit around it so you get the winch mounting point you are wanting while also keeping the additional protection the skid plate offers.

expert reply by: Samuel C