Lil' Big Rig - HE'S ALIVE!
I finally got the tow hitch and got it installed. I'm going to get some pictures, may even get the trailer hooked up and get some pictures. I installed the trailer wire harness last week. So I'm good to go now.
But let me tell you guys about this fiasco, because sometimes, I just SUCK. My M.O. is to ALWAYS disassemble as little as possible. So when it came to fishwire the plates and bolts in place, I tried to do it through the big holes in the rear of the "frame" of the car. This is regarding the driver's side. I don't know how, but somehow I got the left front most bolt and plate in place. But it took a long time of "fishing." The 2nd one, which should have been easier, just would not go. So after a truck load of cussing and wasting time, I decided to take off the rear bumper.
Fellows, let me just say to you up front. If you're installing the hitch, just take off the bumper. Just friggin do it. It is not the easiest job to do right, but it is easy to remember how to get it all back together. There are a couple tasks to this that just suck. But in the grand scheme of things, it is an easy job to do, including the bumper removal, versus the frustration of trying to fish those stupid plates and bolts into place. Let me clarify, remove the brake lights, then remove the bumper cover, then remove the bumper structure. At that point, the drivers side fishwiring is EASY. And the passenger side is super easy. Remember. Remove the friggin crap.
So after much cussing (gonna have to kneel at the alter and ask for forgiveness), I removed the bumper, fished, and then with some effort got the U-bolt and center nuts started. I had the Mirage parked at the outside end of the garage, garage door and Mirage tailgate open. And all the tools and hitch box outside. I like that spot because I get more light and more breeze. Let me tell you guys, the mosquitos were hungry, and for a while dined on a buffet. My legs. But at one point, they just absolutely stopped. Approximately 10 minutes after that, the damn burst. And it rained lions, tigers and Great Danes. No warning, just splash. I had to crawl out and start gathering. My phone sat in it for a while (but it's ok), and my wallet. All my tools, instructions, etc. Needless to say, I received my 2nd shower of the day. After about 30 - 45 minutes it let up. But everything including me, was soaked. But I decided I didn't care and the show must go on. It is no fun sitting down / laying down / moving around on wet pavement. The rest of the event was done with wet hands. It was VERY unpleasant.
The most difficult part of removing and reinstalling the bumper was the unclipping / reclipping of the license plate light wire harnesses. If a person had another person helping them, it would be a lot easier. I've seen a lot of bumpers installed so it was straight forward otherwise. Mitsubishi uses really good exterior clips for the bumper. And crap clips for the interior trunk side trim. Also, for the 4 bolts of the bumper structure, the 2 inside bolts have clever access holes through the bumper itself. No need for a wrench of you have 6+ inches of extension the inside bolts come out quickly with a ratchet.
Got everything torqued to spec, and I will say, this Curt hitch is one of the better quality aftermarket items I have ever had experience with. Curt puts in a great effort for quality. The instructions are above average. Props to the Curt 11394. I put all my tools away and headed straight for the shower. I swept the area before I even started but I was still covered heat to toe with grime and grit. Post shower I felt good about my accomplishment.
Summary of highlights:
- Remove the damn bumper, and bumper structure. Just do it.
- The license plate light wire harness clips are the most difficult thing of this task.
- All the bulbs seals (including the brake lights) tend to stick in place and not come off with the lights. So they must be pulled out of their sticky spot and put back on the bulb housing.
- For those that say this is a 30 minute job, even without removing the bumper, I call B.S. No way, not the first time anyway.
- No drilling was required.
- I'm going to estimate that if removing the bumper from the start, and without being drenched, this is a 1.5 to 2 hour job (includes dragging out tools and putting it all away).
- The Curt 11394 hitch is top notch.
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View my fuel log 2020 Mirage ES 1.2 manual: 42.4 mpg (US) ... 18.0 km/L ... 5.5 L/100 km ... 51.0 mpg (Imp)