Customdakotas.com

oogieboogieX · 07-13-2008, 01:11 AM

this may be a bit of a dumb question but...

my 03 Dakota SXT has a factory trailer package, class III hitch, fits snug under the bumper (ie there really is no clearance between the bottom of the stock bumper and the receiver)

I have over time thought about a roll pan, but always figured I'd need the hidden hitch type... never actually measured it up though (never had a roll pan handy or measured anyone else's)... now I have a line on a urethane APC roll pan, but I believe it has no hitch cut out...

this roll pan will not work on my truck, will it? is it 'cut-able' to work with the hitch?

Mill Creek · 07-13-2008, 05:41 AM

If it doesn't fit with the hitch, line it up as close as possible, and cut a notch out of the bottom for the hitch. I would use a body saw or even a regular jig saw, fine toothed blade. if you have a rough edge after cutting, scrape it with a razor blade, then LIGHTLY, fan it witha propane torch.

R/ ay's T ruck · 07-13-2008, 08:12 AM

I don't know about an APC, but you can't cut a notch out of my roll pan because my licence plate is only an inch from the bottom of the pan..

Alta Boy · 07-13-2008, 11:27 AM

I just finished putting a roll pan on my 4x4 Dakota and it just barely fit. Comparing apples to oranges here because I also have a 3" body lift, don't know if the hitch is a factory one and it's a different roll pan all together but if it wasn't for the 3" body lift my pan wouldn't have worked with the hitch. The cross piece section running between the frame rails would have interfered with the bottom of the pan and no amount of cutting or trimming would have made it right.

oogieboogieX · 07-13-2008, 01:08 PM

I may have to snap a pic of this and post it... see if it makes sense...

Alta Boy · 07-13-2008, 08:56 PM

Yeah, a pic of your hitch would be good. I can't find any APC rollpans for your truck on the net. Do they even make them anymore?

oogieboogieX · 07-13-2008, 11:17 PM

yeah I can't find one either... someone on one of the Canadian sites was trying to get rid of his Dakota, and mentioned having a new, unpainted roll pan... he says it's urethane and said it's made by APC... think I need to ask him for pics also...