I have a 2004 Subaru Forester XT. Will I need to do any drilling into the frame of my car to install the hitch?
1701028
No drilling the bolts line up easily. But I recommend new bolts 1/2 longer. I makes the hitch holes easier to line up. Also some one recommended PB Blaster, it dissolves the rust on the old bolts. I did it two hours before and just before I removed them. It really makes a big difference. A 18" breaker bar works good for removal and a regular torque wrench to install them.
1701029
The CURT website says it fits your vehicle with an install time of 45 minutes, the exact same time listed for the 2007 Forester (which is what I bought and installed this on). It wasn't super easy, but no drilling and its a good hitch. Look it up on Curt's website and there are also installation instructions. The installation notes in the instructions states: "no drilling required" in all caps.
1701030
No required drilling on a 2003 forester, but I don't know the differences between a 2003 and 2004...
1701031
On an 01 forester, no drilling, but a bracket around muffler had to come off.
1701032
2004 to 2006 are direct fit with no drilling. You will need to remove bolts holding carbon canister next to gas filler. Hitch is heavy but I am 72 years old and I did everything in about an hour. The hardest part for me was torqueing the bolts...leave finger tight until you have all the bolts inserted. Also if using the 3/4 bolt on the ball get the 3500 lb ball. The Subaru tows like a dream just load your trailer with more weight in front than in the rear. Tracks beautiful upto 65 mph. A heavy load will cost you 2 to 3 mpg on average. Good luck.
1862040
I installed mine on a 2009 Rav4 and there was a special mounting kit required to make the attachments from the running boards to the frame of the SUV. No drilling was required for my installation.
183056
No it will not, I have a factory installed hitch on mine, no problems, not sure about aftermarket hitches though, but I think it will be OK.
2163650
For the vehicle that has the hitch installed you will want to hook the chain to the two eyelets. Then hook the the other end of the chain to the vehicle frame, or something that has good contact support.
149707
I would think so. It does take a little muscle to get it aligned with and into the hitch but after that it's a cinch. Use a 3/4" ratchet &socket; or a ratcheting box end wrench and it's a breeze.
183057
No, hitch was already installed on my jeep before this muffler, no issues. One thing though is the fit of the muffler alignment, tip on drivers side sits out further than passenger side, lots of playing with it, but in the end, it is a small flaw in its design.
1395484
J B Pennington is correct, if you can fit standard hitch mounting rails it will be no problem.unless you are quite handy and have the correct tools you will probably need to have the rails professionally installed.
2013429
I just installed in my 2014 Crosstrek, guide says it should fit the forester as well. There is a video of the install in a Forester online at another websites that sells hitches and this adaptor, looks pretty straightforward. Kit includes everything you need. Took me about 15 minutes on the Crosstrek.
1927104
No drilling involved, theres brackets that allow you to use a hole in the frame, it bolts to the frame and through the stock bumper stud bolts. I have a 2009 F150 I installed this on.
494655
The hitch mount(hook-up) tube is for a 2" square receiver. You will have to buy a 2" square front receiver if your vehicle does not have one already.
972899
Should be fine as long as your frame has dropouts you can bolt the "hitch" to.
1456628
It fit without any cutting or modification to my Escape. Not even holes, it used the stock holes already in the frame. The hitch dips below the bumper and around the spare tire. Solid.
701712
I don't think so. I believe they changed the style of the forester in 2009, and this hitch would not fit on an older model. I have a 2010 forester and it worked great. Hope that helps a little.
1367157
You do have to drill holes, but you must look carefully for the spots where the holes are to be drilled. Subaru has marked the spots but they are barely discernable. They are located consistent with the diagrams in the installation instructions. The trick is to look carefully for the small dot that is not textured the way the rest of the plastic is. It may be helpful to use a good flashlight to find these dots.
2173983
I am not sure i know what you are asking needs to be assembled but will fit any regular hitch receiver if you are not set up with a receiver then one must be installed
1603724
The tow hitch should work fine with the bumper. I have one on mine and didn't have any problems at all. Nice bumper, you will definitely like it.Brandon
938546
No. Subaru changed the configuration of the mounting holes on the frame in 2014. (I discovered this after ordering this one and having to return it). I found a Curt-brand hitch (Part # 13144) that was about $20 cheaper that fits the 2014.