[TeryT]

In looking for a 03 4Runner, there was a towing spec change part year for the V8. Part year they changed the spec from 5,000 to 7,000 lbs towing. Does anyone know exactly what they did & how to tell the difference?

I want to be sure to get the higher rating.

Thanks!

[jharris2]

They switched to a weight-distributing hitch from a weight-carrying hitch. Check out this thread.

[TeryT]

Thanks for that! I knew the part about the weight carring verses the distributing hitch, bu this shows that it's bolted differently. It would have to be to distribute the weight. (And if I couldn't figure that out - just look at the 7,300 lb rating stamped on the side!)

Is there anything else different? Perhaps bigger transmission cooler or anything?

(I'm looking for a 03 Sport which I know already has the bigger brakes & Xreas.)

[jharris2]

As far as I know, everything else is the same as before. Not sure why they delayed introduction of the 7,300-lb. hitch.

Of course, someone with a V8 would be a more reliable information source than this V6 owner!

[Brewster]

When I was shopping, I found late production V8s with the same receiver as the 2004 V8s. If you find a 2003 with a receiver that looks like those on 04s, you should be in good shape. I vaguely recall that the officlal payload for the 03 is slightly less, but I could be wrong. I was about to buy one but it was sold by the time I had convinced myself that it was "certified" to tow 7000 pounds (4wd version.)

[NoDak]

i was looking thru my owner's manual today and i came across some pics that actually showed different square hitch recv.

on the 5k rated ones, they have 2 eye holes on either side of the sqaure hitch to hook your chains to.

on the 7k rated ones, the 2 eye holes on either side are absent.

this only applies to the factory installed hitches.

[Good Times]

Originally posted by NoDak
i was looking thru my owner's manual today and i came across some pics that actually showed different square hitch recv.

on the 5k rated ones, they have 2 eye holes on either side of the sqaure hitch to hook your chains to.

on the 7k rated ones, the 2 eye holes on either side are absent.

this only applies to the factory installed hitches.

Where would the safety chains be tied then? Doesn't make sense.

Anyway the easiest way to look is look under the truck and see the hitch itself. You will know just by looking real quick to see what the limitation is by the hitch design.

Aside from that, I'd look at the production date on the driver door. Should tell you more info there.

[NoDak]

Originally posted by NoDak
i was looking thru my owner's manual today and i came across some pics that actually showed different square hitch recv.

on the 5k rated ones, they have 2 eye holes on either side of the sqaure hitch to hook your chains to.

on the 7k rated ones, the 2 eye holes on either side are absent.

this only applies to the factory installed hitches.

i guess i should have added this:

on the 5k hitch, the tow chain eyelets are on either side of the hitch and before the lock pin hole. on the 7.3k hitch, the eyelets are under and behind the lock pin hole, if i understand the pic correctly.

[BenO]

Hey Folks.

I have also been through the same battles with Toyota over the 2003 Upgraded hitch package. When I purchased the 4Runner in October of last year, the hitch was supposedly available for about $350CDN, but I opted out at the time knowing I wouldn't need it till spring.

Just a month ago I went in looking for an exact price on the hitch again, but this time it wasn't even listed in there parts manual. The parts guy told me that sometimes Toyota pulls a part when they have problems with it... but usually release it some time later when all of the bugs are worked out (take that with a grain of salt though).

I am a bit frustrated, how can Toyota advertise that their vehicle can tow 7200 when it really can't ??

I am glad to see that hidden hitch now has a product, but what about Toyota....

[TeryT]

There's been quite the thread going over at the RV forum regarding the 4Runner receiver hitch. The 04's have the good one, as I've seen them. People on the other forum have found them, but often not until they have done minor combat with Toyota and the dealership. I'll see if I can find the specific thread & do a link to it.

Here it is: http://www.rv.net./forum/index.cfm/f...g/1/page/1.cfm

[BenO]

I am still looking to try and find a part number from Toyota for this.

Is there a reason why everybody seems to be going for the "Toyota" hitch, and not just settling for a Hidden Hitch? From what I have read, neither one requires drilling and the Hidden Hitch seems like much less of a headache?

[TeryT]

What I have heard is the Toy hitch has a good place for the wiring plug. Did you visit that other forum I gave a link to? In it they discuss the merits thereof.

[BenO]

Well, here is what I have found out thanks to the link given to us by TeryT. I emailed the folks down at Bell Road Toyota. At first they told me there was no such thing, but after a little more clarification on my part, they managed to price out and provide a part number. Below is Bill's response from Bell Road Toyota:

>> I did call Toyota to get a replacement part# for a 2004 4-runner hitch. It is a different part from a 2003 as you have stated. The part# for the hitch is PT228-89440 and it will cost $322.00. They also gave me a part# for a center bracket of some kind that may also be needed, that # is 08925-35850 and it runs $37.32. I don't have a picture so I don't know if you will need that or not. Both parts are available from our L.A. parts center and will take just 2 days to get. If you are interested in ordering them just e-mail back or give us a call.
Thanks. <<

Take this at face value(I haven't verified the information), and hopefully it helps some of you out