Hidden hitch and bike rack on sti with borla hush

atc5 · 04-24-2005, 07:00 PM

I installed my hidden hitch and bike rack on my STi yesterday so I can hit the trails with my new gary fisher tassjara. This setup was $240 shipped from etrailer.com and is top quality.

I could not justify having a roof rack because I simply don't like them...besides this now gives me reason to get a jet ski.

I have the borla hush on my car and you will see where thie hitch touches one of the tips...not optimal but I don't have much of a choice right now. I'm thinking of putting some sort of high temp pad on the tip, but it's really not that huge of a deal to me and it is not audible as a rattle.

Here's some pics...hope this helps anyone considering a hitch.

Calamity Jesus · 04-29-2005, 10:20 AM

Do you already have long exhaust hangers? Adding some might give you enough clearance between the hitch & tailpipe.

Murf_68 · 04-29-2005, 10:43 AM

Tidy install. Did you need to trim the rear bumper at all? I'm looking for a hitch-mounted bike rack at the moment but the Subaru hitch is $200 and requires trimming.

Thanks

Mark

JPX · 05-11-2005, 03:59 AM

That hitch is great!

The hitch on my Legacy is not anywhere near that discreet. The crossbar runs UNDER

the tailpipe rather than over like yours. So I drag it on speedbumps and driveways a lot. No bumper trimming needed, but it did require relocating the charcoal box.

I totally agree that rear mounted bike carriers are the best. But I also like to use my hitch for this!

Ahzlon · 05-11-2005, 10:52 AM

I plan on gettin a hitch installed so i can get a "tire Tail" to carry my gravel tires to and from rally-crosses

and it doesn't look like you have the long exhaust hangers... try those.. might help your clearance issues

crashtest sonny · 05-11-2005, 12:04 PM

i was just talking about a hitch with my friends the other day, so i can carry my mtn bikes. how many bikes can it hold? like 3?

Jitenshakun · 05-11-2005, 12:08 PM

Nice. The only reason I went with a roof rack is a lot of my buddies have crazy freeride bikes, which never work with a hitch. As well, my 21" frame means my tires are always really close to hitting the ground when its on a hitch.

For hardtails the hitch option is great.

-J

B WReX · 05-11-2005, 12:12 PM

Quote:

you will see where thie hitch touches one of the tips...not optimal but I don't have much of a choice right now.

I have a Hidden Hitch as well with a Cobb TBE. Same thing as you - a tiny bit of contact, but no rattles. If you find a solution other than long hangers let me know.

The hitch works awesome, though

nytxaggie · 05-11-2005, 12:19 PM

any picts with out the bike rack attached?

B WReX · 05-11-2005, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nytxaggie

any picts with out the bike rack attached?

I'll have one in a couple of hours - I'd have it now, but work keeps on interupting my subie fun

B WReX · 05-11-2005, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nytxaggie

any picts with out the bike rack attached?

Here we go

atc5 · 05-11-2005, 12:20 PM

No trimming of the rear bumper at ALL with this and the carrier I got holds 3 bikes.

Striker13 · 05-11-2005, 02:31 PM

nice bike!

mcowger · 05-11-2005, 02:37 PM

Agreed, I just sold my 2001 Tassajara - it was an awesome bike. Bought a 2005 Santa Cruz Superlight to replace it

.

atc5 · 05-11-2005, 11:43 PM

If anyone is interested, my hitch (just the hitch that bolts to the car, not the bike rack) is for sale. I'm selling my car asap and just took the hitch off.

$70 shipped will work for me. Thanks

hkwan · 05-19-2005, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc5

If anyone is interested, my hitch (just the hitch that bolts to the car, not the bike rack) is for sale. I'm selling my car asap and just took the hitch off.

$70 shipped will work for me. Thanks

Hey atc5, I've just PM'd you with my #. Would you call me? I'm in your area.

Layman · 05-12-2005, 06:54 PM

You're lucky - my exhaust tip is big enough that it pushes against the hitch. I've already ordered longer hangers, but I might also modify the tip. I don't like how low it rides now.

Layman · 05-12-2005, 07:30 PM

Here are some pics:

If push comes to shove, I'll just paint the whole damn thing black to make it stand out less.

AndyH · 05-13-2005, 11:25 AM

Just to add another data point to this thread, I have a Hidden Hitch as well for my STi. I installed it late last summer and discovered that the stock STi exhaust tip hit the hitch in the same location as shown in the other photos in this thread. Based on my previous experiences with aftermarket exhaust systems rubbing and banging underneath my old Audi A4 1.8T I made the decision to pull the hitch off the car (without even taking it for a test drive) as I had a sinking feeling that it would be knocking and banging over every bump.

I did purchase a set of the extra-long KartBoy exhaust hangers, but haven't yet determined if I'm going to try the hitch again or not. I really, really, really don't want the exhaust to sit any lower than it does already so I'm thinking about just getting rid of the hitch and rack and go back to a roof-mounted rack (I had a Yakima setup on my A4 and S4). But for *****s and giggles I may try the hitch again with the stock hangers just to see if it actually makes any noises.

My only other thoughts on adding more clearance between the hitch and exhaust was to either bend the exhaust hangers a bit on the rear muffler, or perhaps add a "dent" on the exhaust tip where it comes into contact with the hitch in order to provide a bit more clearance between the two.

atc5 · 05-13-2005, 11:39 AM

You can always dremmel out a portion of the hitch where it touches the exhaust too...better than adding a dent to the exhaust tip as you suggest....

hampster · 05-13-2005, 12:10 PM

Even if the hitch doesn't rattle on the exhaust, it will eventually wear the paint off the hitch.

...Then you'll have to deal with the hitch rust getting on your chamios when you dry your car...

On a related topic, has anyone successfully put a hitch on a WRX/STi with the rear OEM bodykit?

...I have the bodykit and really want to get a hitch mount rack. I've used roof racks for 12 years now, and I'm ready for something that doesn't mess up door seals and the paint on the roof...

AndyH · 05-13-2005, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by atc5

You can always dremmel out a portion of the hitch where it touches the exhaust too...better than adding a dent to the exhaust tip as you suggest....

I thought about that too. Probably would work OK as well, and shouldn't really make a difference with the "capacity" of the hitch (at least for me) as I don't intend to ever use the hitch for anything other than a bike rack.

Layman · 05-18-2005, 10:12 PM

A quick update:

I installed Kartboy long exhaust hangers, and I now have *just* enough clearance that it no longer is held against the hitch. Additionally, the hangers are stiff enough that it holds it that precious millimeter or two away from the hitch.

I can force it to hit if I pull up on the exhaust, but I don't imagine those kinds of forces will be replicated in my daily commute. I'll find out tomorrow.

Thanks for a good product, Kartboy! (and quick service)

IntraWRX · 05-19-2005, 12:40 PM

that's pretty sweet. isn't there a snowboard rack attachment thing you can use on the hitch too? how many boards can it hold? Thanks!

AndyH · 05-19-2005, 01:11 PM

Yakima has a rear carrier that will carry either four pairs of skis or four snowboards, it's called the Powederhorn. I'm sure Thule has something similar.

04-24-2005, 07:00 PM	#1
atc5 Scooby Specialist Member#: 69264 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: San Mateo, CA Vehicle: 05 LGT White	Hidden hitch and bike rack on sti with borla hush I installed my hidden hitch and bike rack on my STi yesterday so I can hit the trails with my new gary fisher tassjara. This setup was $240 shipped from etrailer.com and is top quality. I could not justify having a roof rack because I simply don't like them...besides this now gives me reason to get a jet ski. I have the borla hush on my car and you will see where thie hitch touches one of the tips...not optimal but I don't have much of a choice right now. I'm thinking of putting some sort of high temp pad on the tip, but it's really not that huge of a deal to me and it is not audible as a rattle. Here's some pics...hope this helps anyone considering a hitch.

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04-29-2005, 10:20 AM	#2
Calamity Jesus Scooby Guru Member#: 44501 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Yeah, well, you know Vehicle: that 's, like, your alternate facts, man.	Do you already have long exhaust hangers? Adding some might give you enough clearance between the hitch & tailpipe.

04-29-2005, 10:43 AM	#3
Murf_68 Scooby Newbie Member#: 71191 Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Michigan Vehicle: 2005 WRX Wagon Platinum Silver Metallic	Tidy install. Did you need to trim the rear bumper at all? I'm looking for a hitch-mounted bike rack at the moment but the Subaru hitch is $200 and requires trimming. Thanks Mark

05-11-2005, 03:59 AM	#4
JPX Scooby Newbie Member#: 44504 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Vehicle: 1996 Legacy L Sedan	That hitch is great! The hitch on my Legacy is not anywhere near that discreet. The crossbar runs UNDER the tailpipe rather than over like yours. So I drag it on speedbumps and driveways a lot. No bumper trimming needed, but it did require relocating the charcoal box. I totally agree that rear mounted bike carriers are the best. But I also like to use my hitch for this!

05-11-2005, 10:52 AM	#5
Ahzlon Scooby Specialist Member#: 45216 Join Date: Oct 2003 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Essex, Vermont Vehicle: 2005 Baja Turbo Silver	I plan on gettin a hitch installed so i can get a "tire Tail" to carry my gravel tires to and from rally-crosses and it doesn't look like you have the long exhaust hangers... try those.. might help your clearance issues

05-11-2005, 12:04 PM	#6
crashtest sonny Scooby Specialist Member#: 78675 Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: huntington beach, CA Vehicle: 2002 white bugeye 04 kawasaki 636	i was just talking about a hitch with my friends the other day, so i can carry my mtn bikes. how many bikes can it hold? like 3?

05-11-2005, 12:08 PM	#7
Jitenshakun Scooby Specialist Member#: 61586 Join Date: May 2004 Chapter/Region: W. Canada Location: Alberta Vehicle: 2005 STi WI and all the goodies	Nice. The only reason I went with a roof rack is a lot of my buddies have crazy freeride bikes, which never work with a hitch. As well, my 21" frame means my tires are always really close to hitting the ground when its on a hitch. For hardtails the hitch option is great. -J

05-11-2005, 12:19 PM	#9
nytxaggie Scooby Newbie Member#: 37207 Join Date: May 2003 Vehicle: 2003 WRX Blue	any picts with out the bike rack attached?

05-11-2005, 12:20 PM	#12
atc5 Scooby Specialist Member#: 69264 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: San Mateo, CA Vehicle: 05 LGT White	No trimming of the rear bumper at ALL with this and the carrier I got holds 3 bikes.

05-11-2005, 02:31 PM	#13
Striker13 Scooby Newbie Member#: 84776 Join Date: Apr 2005 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: PNW Vehicle: MY03 Impreza WRX MBP	nice bike!

05-11-2005, 02:37 PM	#14
mcowger Scooby Specialist Member#: 77483 Join Date: Dec 2004 Chapter/Region: NWIC Location: Seattle, WA Vehicle: 2009 Audi A3 2.0T q Lava Grey	Agreed, I just sold my 2001 Tassajara - it was an awesome bike. Bought a 2005 Santa Cruz Superlight to replace it .

05-11-2005, 11:43 PM	#15
atc5 Scooby Specialist Member#: 69264 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: San Mateo, CA Vehicle: 05 LGT White	If anyone is interested, my hitch (just the hitch that bolts to the car, not the bike rack) is for sale. I'm selling my car asap and just took the hitch off. $70 shipped will work for me. Thanks

05-12-2005, 06:54 PM	#17
Layman Scooby Specialist Member#: 3717 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Army of the Potomac Vehicle: 2011 Swagger Wagon bikes with pedals	You're lucky - my exhaust tip is big enough that it pushes against the hitch. I've already ordered longer hangers, but I might also modify the tip. I don't like how low it rides now.

05-12-2005, 07:30 PM	#18
Layman Scooby Specialist Member#: 3717 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Army of the Potomac Vehicle: 2011 Swagger Wagon bikes with pedals	Here are some pics: If push comes to shove, I'll just paint the whole damn thing black to make it stand out less.

05-13-2005, 11:25 AM	#19
AndyH Scooby Specialist Member#: 2133 Join Date: Aug 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Minneapolis, MN USA Vehicle: 2005 STi WRB/Gold 2005 S4 Avant	Just to add another data point to this thread, I have a Hidden Hitch as well for my STi. I installed it late last summer and discovered that the stock STi exhaust tip hit the hitch in the same location as shown in the other photos in this thread. Based on my previous experiences with aftermarket exhaust systems rubbing and banging underneath my old Audi A4 1.8T I made the decision to pull the hitch off the car (without even taking it for a test drive) as I had a sinking feeling that it would be knocking and banging over every bump. I did purchase a set of the extra-long KartBoy exhaust hangers, but haven't yet determined if I'm going to try the hitch again or not. I really, really, really don't want the exhaust to sit any lower than it does already so I'm thinking about just getting rid of the hitch and rack and go back to a roof-mounted rack (I had a Yakima setup on my A4 and S4). But for *****s and giggles I may try the hitch again with the stock hangers just to see if it actually makes any noises. My only other thoughts on adding more clearance between the hitch and exhaust was to either bend the exhaust hangers a bit on the rear muffler, or perhaps add a "dent" on the exhaust tip where it comes into contact with the hitch in order to provide a bit more clearance between the two.

05-13-2005, 11:39 AM	#20
atc5 Scooby Specialist Member#: 69264 Join Date: Aug 2004 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: San Mateo, CA Vehicle: 05 LGT White	You can always dremmel out a portion of the hitch where it touches the exhaust too...better than adding a dent to the exhaust tip as you suggest....

05-13-2005, 12:10 PM	#21
hampster Scooby Specialist Member#: 15766 Join Date: Feb 2002 Chapter/Region: TXIC Vehicle: torq steer=something cattlemen do after work.	Even if the hitch doesn't rattle on the exhaust, it will eventually wear the paint off the hitch. ...Then you'll have to deal with the hitch rust getting on your chamios when you dry your car... On a related topic, has anyone successfully put a hitch on a WRX/STi with the rear OEM bodykit? ...I have the bodykit and really want to get a hitch mount rack. I've used roof racks for 12 years now, and I'm ready for something that doesn't mess up door seals and the paint on the roof...

05-18-2005, 10:12 PM	#23
Layman Scooby Specialist Member#: 3717 Join Date: Jan 2001 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Army of the Potomac Vehicle: 2011 Swagger Wagon bikes with pedals	A quick update: I installed Kartboy long exhaust hangers, and I now have just enough clearance that it no longer is held against the hitch. Additionally, the hangers are stiff enough that it holds it that precious millimeter or two away from the hitch. I can force it to hit if I pull up on the exhaust, but I don't imagine those kinds of forces will be replicated in my daily commute. I'll find out tomorrow. Thanks for a good product, Kartboy! (and quick service)

05-19-2005, 12:40 PM	#24
IntraWRX Scooby Specialist Member#: 20773 Join Date: Jul 2002 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Los Angeles, CA Vehicle: 2002 WRX Midnight Black Pearl	that's pretty sweet. isn't there a snowboard rack attachment thing you can use on the hitch too? how many boards can it hold? Thanks!

05-19-2005, 01:11 PM	#25
AndyH Scooby Specialist Member#: 2133 Join Date: Aug 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Minneapolis, MN USA Vehicle: 2005 STi WRB/Gold 2005 S4 Avant	Yakima has a rear carrier that will carry either four pairs of skis or four snowboards, it's called the Powederhorn. I'm sure Thule has something similar.