15-20 tiny ruptured blisters on hood - thoughts?

[Juice88]

So an update for those following/interested in this strange turn of events -

Today I called the GM of the branch and naturally didnt get through to him, so I promptly followed up with an email (found it with some online digging). However, he had another sales manager doh call me to discuss it. I explained my displeasure and demanded I get my hitch receiver back. He had me send over the pics I took from Monday when I first saw the vehicle, showing the hitch. I also sent a current pic with no hitch.

He then went to investigate and after 3 hours, he called me back. He essentially didnt have an answer as to why it was removed, but noted that a few mechanics there confirmed it was an OEM receiver due to the appearance in the picture. Regardless, he quickly offered to order a new one and to have it installed once it came in. I stressed that this is a V8 so it needs a class III tow.

I asked why on earth it was removed in the first place, and his words were "I dont know how to answer that, we are handling that internally".

So, if all goes well I'll get a new hitch receiver installed early next week. The worst part of this all, to me, was the principle of it. SO I hope they figure out what shady sh*t is going on there behind scenes. Everything else with the truck is damn near perfect, so this dilemma has made it feel incomplete over the last 24 hours.

 

[AuSeeker]

So an update for those following/interested in this strange turn of events -

Today I called the GM of the branch and naturally didnt get through to him, so I promptly followed up with an email (found it with some online digging). However, he had another sales manager doh call me to discuss it. I explained my displeasure and demanded I get my hitch receiver back. He had me send over the pics I took from Monday when I first saw the vehicle, showing the hitch. I also sent a current pic with no hitch.

He then went to investigate and after 3 hours, he called me back. He essentially didnt have an answer as to why it was removed, but noted that a few mechanics there confirmed it was an OEM receiver due to the appearance in the picture. Regardless, he quickly offered to order a new one and to have it installed once it came in. I stressed that this is a V8 so it needs a class III tow.

I asked why on earth it was removed in the first place, and his words were "I dont know how to answer that, we are handling that internally".

So, if all goes well I'll get a new hitch receiver installed early next week. The worst part of this all, to me, was the principle of it. SO I hope they figure out what shady sh*t is going on there behind scenes. Everything else with the truck is damn near perfect, so this dilemma has made it feel incomplete over the last 24 hours.

Just be sure any hitch they give you matches exactly to the OEM one in your photo, I and many others have searched high and low for a new OEM 4th Gen V8 hitch for others with a V6 hitch wanting to upgrade their's and every listing on any Toyota dealer's parts websites say they are no longer available.

Get a good look at any hitch they offer you before they install it and post some good photos of the hitch and any labels on it here if you need too and we can tell you if it's the correct OEM hitch.

Also with the low mileage on that T4R I'm sure the hitch ball that came with the OEM hitch was in the jack storage compartment, most after market ones will be too long and hit the spare tire and not go in far enough to get the locking pin in the hole, so make sure they get you another if it's not in there!!

As far as I know the only place you're going to find a 4th Gen OEM V8 hitch is from a savage yard.

If they do get a new Toyota OEM V8 hitch many here would be greatly interested in knowing how to get another one!!

I can tell you why it was removed by one of the employees, because they are hard to find and he wanted it!!!

 

[Juice88]

I absolutely will post pics in here once I go back to the dealership. What should I look out for to know that it's not a V6 tow hitch?

 

[AuSeeker]

I absolutely will post pics in here once I go back to the dealership. What should I look out for to know that it's not a V6 tow hitch?

The V8 hitch will be almost as wide as the T4R and made of round tubing with mounting flanges on each side, it spans and attaches to the main frame rails, when installed the round tubular portion is visible below the bumper and doesn't fit into the small notch in the bumper cover, if you look at your photo you will see what I mean about it being round tubing and visible below the bumper, also on the left/driver's side it will have a mounting flange for the female electrical plug/connection, that female electrical socket should also be included with the new hitch, also near the electrical socket there should be a sticker with the towing ratings on it.

The V6 hitch is only about 12" or so wide and attaches to the less strong rear cross member running in between the main frame rails, it also is mount higher up than the V8 hitch and fits into the small notch in the bumper cover, the only part of the V6 hitch you can see when installed is the square opening for the tow ball and the safety chain eyelets.

 

[Juice88]

The V8 hitch will be almost as wide as the T4R and made of round tubing with mounting flanges on each side, it spans and attaches to the main frame rails, when installed the round tubular portion is visible below the bumper and doesn't fit into the small notch in the bumper cover, if you look at your photo you will see what I mean about it being round tubing and visible below the bumper, also on the left/driver's side it will have a mounting flange for the female electrical plug/connection, that female electrical socket should also be included with the new hitch, also near the electrical socket there should be a sticker with the towing ratings on it.

The V6 hitch is only about 12" or so wide and attaches to the less strong rear cross member running in between the main frame rails, it also is mount higher up than the V8 hitch and fits into the small notch in the bumper cover, the only part of the V6 hitch you can see when installed is the square opening for the tow ball and the safety chain eyelets.

This is the picture I took and showed them, to which they replied it wasnt OEM claiming it "bulges out further than the factory hitch". And then a pic of all thats left now where the outlet was formerly plugged in.

 

[Ed_C]

Found pics of the OEM hitch in these threads:

FS - 4th Gen Trailer Hitch - FL

https://www.toyota-4runner.org/for-sale-t4r-items/247707-fs-4th-gen-oem-heavy-duty-trailer-hitch-$70-sf-ca.html

Installed OEM hitch - did I screw this up?

How can I tell if I have 7000 lb. hitch?

 

[AuSeeker]

This is the picture I took and showed them, to which they replied it wasnt OEM claiming it "bulges out further than the factory hitch". And then a pic of all thats left now where the outlet was formerly plugged in.

That is 100% without doubt a Toyota OEM factory installed 4th Gen V8 tow hitch!!

 

[gaber6]

Glad it worked out. Smart of you to have taken photos as it would have been tough without. Sorry the dealer was shady, but they all are.
Mine had a 5 day 500 mile warranty and 3 days in I had them replace grinding wheel bearings and they told me that's all I get. I'm like, no I have 2 more days to find problems lol.

 

[Juice88]

Ok guys, here is what they ordered. I had them send pics before I went in. Does it looks to be the V8 hitch?

 

[Juice88]

Just be sure any hitch they give you matches exactly to the OEM one in your photo, I and many others have searched high and low for a new OEM 4th Gen V8 hitch for others with a V6 hitch wanting to upgrade their's and every listing on any Toyota dealer's parts websites say they are no longer available.

Get a good look at any hitch they offer you before they install it and post some good photos of the hitch and any labels on it here if you need too and we can tell you if it's the correct OEM hitch.

Also with the low mileage on that T4R I'm sure the hitch ball that came with the OEM hitch was in the jack storage compartment, most after market ones will be too long and hit the spare tire and not go in far enough to get the locking pin in the hole, so make sure they get you another if it's not in there!!

As far as I know the only place you're going to find a 4th Gen OEM V8 hitch is from a savage yard.

If they do get a new Toyota OEM V8 hitch many here would be greatly interested in knowing how to get another one!!

I can tell you why it was removed by one of the employees, because they are hard to find and he wanted it!!!

Take a look above. Looks the same to what others have sent. I’m just hoping the electrical connection is in that box as well

 

[AuSeeker]

Ok guys, here is what they ordered. I had them send pics before I went in. Does it looks to be the V8 hitch?

Take a look above. Looks the same to what others have sent. I’m just hoping the electrical connection is in that box as well

That is indeed a V8 hitch!

If the electrical connector isn't there just get them to order it!

Just an FYI, thanks to your topic here and some links posted by another member I did some reading and then some searching and I found a couple of online dealers still actually list these V8 hitches for sale, so I now know where to direct/recommend to someone who is looking to buy one.

 

[That_Titanium_4RNR]

That is indeed a V8 hitch!

If the electrical connector isn't there just get them to order it!

Just an FYI, thanks to your topic here and some links posted by another member I did some reading and then some searching and I found a couple of online dealers still actually list these V8 hitches for sale, so I now know where to direct/recommend to someone who is looking to buy one.

Send me the link por favor...mine is rusty and crusty...maybe beyond saving...especially depending on the price of a new one

 

[Juice88]

So I had the rep check to see if the electrical hitch socket was included in the box...of course he wasn't sure and sent more pictures of the box. No electrical. So he then calls me this morning and magically says they found the old hitch with electrical connector. Now its my choice if I want the new hitch or the original :dizzy:

Dealerships, man. So ready to be done with these people. Opted for the new hitch with the original 7-pin electrical connector.

 

[AuSeeker]

Send me the link por favor...mine is rusty and crusty...maybe beyond saving...especially depending on the price of a new one

Just an FYI, there's a difference in the V8 hitches for early V8s 2003-2005 and later V8s 2006-2009 even though they look much the same, I'm guessing it has to do with the rear bumper, here's a link for the later V8 hitch...BUT do a search of the part number because when I did the research/search I found the hitches just a little bit less at a couple of other dealers, I think I saw one for around $20+/- less than the one at this link, but this is the link I book marked, but also many other dealers says they're no longer available, I guess that because they don't want to deal with selling these hitches.

PT228-89460 - Toyota Parts Deal)

I was actually surprised at the prices even at this link because the price is very comparable to most of the better brand after market hitches, being that it's an OEM Toyota hitch I was expecting it to be about twice the price!