2003 Tow hitch receiver swap

[argar865]

So I am looking at a 2003 4runner that has had a class iv hitch put on it. As we discussed in a prior thread the majority of the 2003 came with a receiver that was only rated at 5,000lbs.

So my questions is this; Would swapping out the receiver with a heavy duty class iv (weight distributing) receiver give it the same as the 2004+ 7,000lb. rating?

:thumb3::thumb3:

 

[settytb]

I believe so, the v8's had a 7k lbs rating and the only difference was the hitch. But I'm not 100% on that.

 

[TechWrench]

So I am looking at a 2003 4runner that has had a class iv hitch put on it. As we discussed in a prior thread the majority of the 2003 came with a receiver that was only rated at 5,000lbs.

So my questions is this; Would swapping out the receiver with a heavy duty class iv (weight distributing) receiver give it the same as the 2004+ 7,000lb. rating?

:thumb3::thumb3:

Do you have a V6, or V8? If the V6, then you would also need to install a trans cooler. Also, just to be sure you understnd the nomenclature, The Class IV receiver, in of itself, is not capable of performing the weight distribution function. A weight distribution system is a separate system which mounts into the receiver and connects to the tongue frame of the trailer, but it does require a receiver system that is frame mounted to work properly.

 

[argar865]

More Help please

I would really appreciate if more experts could opin´about this matter

would a 2003 Pre April 2003 manufacture date v8 4x4 be rated for 7,000 lbs. if the factory hitch was removed and a good weight distributing class IV hitch receiver was installed?

Have any done this? Is there any problems with the spare tire mounting?

:shrug:

 

[TechWrench]

I would really appreciate if more experts could opin´about this matter

would a 2003 Pre April 2003 manufacture date v8 4x4 be rated for 7,000 lbs. if the factory hitch was removed and a good weight distributing class IV hitch receiver was installed?

Have any done this? Is there any problems with the spare tire mounting?

:shrug:

If you get the right hitch receiver, and you use a properly rated weight distribution hitch setup up properly, then, according to the owners manual for the '03 4Runner, yes it will be rated for up to 7,000 lbs total trailer weight. So far, the only frame mounted hitch receiver I have found, that is rated for 7,300 lbs total trailer weight with a max of 730 lbs tongue weight (if used with the appropriate weight distribution hitch system) is the HiddenHitch model HH 70779s listed on the "Hitches Online site". But, this rating defaults to 7,000 lbs because that is the max rating listed for the 4Runner, no matter what type of receiver hitch is used.

 

[argar865]

If you get the right hitch receiver, and you use a properly rated weight distribution hitch setup up properly, then, according to the owners manual for the '03 4Runner, yes it will be rated for up to 7,000 lbs total trailer weight. So far, the only frame mounted hitch receiver I have found, that is rated for 7,300 lbs total trailer weight with a max of 730 lbs tongue weight (if used with the appropriate weight distribution hitch system) is the HiddenHitch model HH 70779s listed on the "Hitches Online site". But, this rating defaults to 7,000 lbs because that is the max rating listed for the 4Runner, no matter what type of receiver hitch is used.

Does that mean you put one on your 4runner? How did it work out with the spare tire?

 

[TechWrench]

Does that mean you put one on your 4runner? How did it work out with the spare tire?

As my sig states, I installed a valley receiver hitch, which with my V6, rates me at 640 lbs tongue weight, and 6,400 lbs total trailer weight with my Equalizer WD hitch setup. Since I have the V6, going with the higher rated Hidden Hitch didn't make any sense, because the total vehicle rating is the ultimate limiting factor regardless of the type of receiver hitch installed (see limits in owners manual). I had no problem with my spare, other than the usual requirement to make sure the spare is seated as far forward as possible, to allow the ball mount bar to fit into the receiver without hitting the spare tire (that is if you have the proper size ball mount)

 

[argar865]

anyone know whether the pre april 1, 2003 v8´s that did not have the heavy duty hitch receiver still had the transmission cooler? If I were to install a aftermarket hitch to give it the 7,000lb. towing capacity would I also need to do a new tranny cooler?

:shrug:

 

[TechWrench]

anyone know whether the pre april 1, 2003 v8´s that did not have the heavy duty hitch receiver still had the transmission cooler? If I were to install a aftermarket hitch to give it the 7,000lb. towing capacity would I also need to do a new tranny cooler?

:shrug:

I would think it does. As I recall, when Toyota offered the the upgraded hitch to the early '03 V8's, all they did was install the new hitch. but, it is easy to check for your self, just follow the cooler lines that go to the radiator. If you have the aux trans cooler, one of the lines from the radiator should then go to the aux cooler before it returns to the trans.

 

[berettashot117]

anyone know whether the pre april 1, 2003 v8´s that did not have the heavy duty hitch receiver still had the transmission cooler? If I were to install a aftermarket hitch to give it the 7,000lb. towing capacity would I also need to do a new tranny cooler?

:shrug:

why dont you pop your hood and take a look? it's right in front of the radiator if you have it

 

[argar865]

why dont you pop your hood and take a look? it's right in front of the radiator if you have it

If you noticed from the beginning I am looking at purchasing this vehicle, thus I do not have access to check it at the moment. Plus it is a theory for possibly going with 2003 models as there are a lot more of those out there than 04´s and 05´s.

But seriously anyone know about whether or not they have a tranny cooler on them?

 

[DallasGooner]

If you noticed from the beginning I am looking at purchasing this vehicle, thus I do not have access to check it at the moment. Plus it is a theory for possibly going with 2003 models as there are a lot more of those out there than 04´s and 05´s.

But seriously anyone know about whether or not they have a tranny cooler on them?

Yes, all 2003 V8's do.

 

[aha2988]

I've pulled 6500-7000lbs on my factory hitch the one bolted to the rear cross member. had no problems. My manufacture date is may of 2003 and i do not have the upgraded hitch. If you upgraded your hitch you should have no fears of pulling what that hitch is rated for, aslo be sure your actual reese hitch that the ball bolts to is rated for the weight as well.

 

[Sungod]

anyone know whether the pre april 1, 2003 v8´s that did not have the heavy duty hitch receiver still had the transmission cooler? If I were to install a aftermarket hitch to give it the 7,000lb. towing capacity would I also need to do a new tranny cooler?

:shrug:

A trans cooler is not required for the hitch. You only would need it on a v6 if you were trying to tow 7000lbs. Personally I think if you were trying to tow 7000lbs with a v6 an over heated tranny is the least of your concerns.

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

A trans cooler is not required for the hitch. You only would need it on a v6 if you were trying to tow 7000lbs. Personally I think if you were trying to tow 7000lbs with a v6 an over heated tranny is the least of your concerns.

I totally diagree. See my write up based on my experiences this past weekend here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/towing/117854-transmission-temps-observations-revelation.html#post1095843

I was towing ~3300 lbs and pulled over at 240 degrees. Better yet I was towing NOTHING and racked 240 degrees climbing a long steep trail up to a remote ghost town. After switching to 4LO I stabilized to 235-237.

While many people won't do these things with their 4Runners, especially if you live east of the Rockies where you don't have extended roads or trails to climb at slow speeds, I don't like seeing 240 degrees and am figuring out which aux transmission cooler to install. Right now I'm leaning towards the B&M 70264 and am scouring the threads to see what fellow 4th gen owners have done.

 

[TechWrench]

I totally diagree. See my write up based on my experiences this past weekend here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/towing/117854-transmission-temps-observations-revelation.html#post1095843

I was towing ~3300 lbs and pulled over at 240 degrees. Better yet I was towing NOTHING and racked 240 degrees climbing a long steep trail up to a remote ghost town. After switching to 4LO I stabilized to 235-237.

While many people won't do these things with their 4Runners, especially if you live east of the Rockies where you don't have extended roads or trails to climb at slow speeds, I don't like seeing 240 degrees and am figuring out which aux transmission cooler to install. Right now I'm leaning towards the B&M 70264 and am scouring the threads to see what fellow 4th gen owners have done.

Not sure, but my take on his statement was the trans cooler wasn't necessary, because the V8 already has one installed from factory.

As for your concern about trans temp readings on your vehicle, I think, depending on where you have the sensor installed, those readings may not be as severe as you think. If you have the sensor installed on the output line from the trans to the cooler, then those readings would be normal considering the towing use. Remember over 95% of the heat generated in an automatic trans is in the torque converter when it is in the unlocked condition. This is why the fluid in the output line to the cooler is coming directly from the torque converter, where fluid temps are the highest. Placing the sensor on the trans sump will give you a more realistic overall trans temp reading, and give a better indication of how well the trans cooling system is actually working. Many people will install a trans temp monitoring system with two sensors, one for output temp and one on the pan, so they can monitor the difference between them.

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

Not sure, but my take on his statement was the trans cooler wasn't necessary, because the V8 already has one installed from factory.

As for your concern about trans temp readings on your vehicle, I think, depending on where you have the sensor installed, those readings may not be as severe as you think. If you have the sensor installed on the output line from the trans to the cooler, then those readings would be normal considering the towing use. Remember over 95% of the heat generated in an automatic trans is in the torque converter when it is in the unlocked condition. This is why the fluid in the output line to the cooler is coming directly from the torque converter, where fluid temps are the highest. Placing the sensor on the trans sump will give you a more realistic overall trans temp reading, and give a better indication of how well the trans cooling system is actually working. Many people will install a trans temp monitoring system with two sensors, one for output temp and one on the pan, so they can monitor the difference between them.

Maybe I need to re-read Sungod’s post again, but is seems that he was explicitly stating that, “You only would need it on a v6 if you were trying to tow 7000lbs.” My point was that I was towing 3200-3300 lbs with two adults and 3 children (180, 120, 40, 36, 25 lbs apiece) and maybe 200 lbs of gear in the back of my 4Runner and was taking it easy and had no problem hitting 240 degrees wherever the sensor is placed (I’ve read it’s in the pan). My second point is that I was towing absolutely nothing while climbing an extended steep trail and I racked just past 240 in 4HI and held the upper 230’s in 4LO with ambient temps of about 80 degrees when I got to 240, dropping to about 70 degrees outside at the top of the climb which was at 8200’.

I’m sure the V8 would perform better with its aux cooler, probably by 10-20 degrees under similar conditions. I also don’t think 240 degrees in the pan is where transmissions hit the graveyard, but is rather the area at which you begin to sincerely accelerate the aging of the fluid to a point that you would need to be changing the fluid perhaps every 10,000-25,000 miles or less, depending on how long the transmission is experiencing these temps. Of interest, the engine was never straining in either of these situations. We were merrily cruising along at 15000-2000 RPM with the trailer during the climb and 1200-~1700 RPM in 4HI and 1500-2000 RPM in 4LO. If I had not had the transmission temp gauge I would not have suspected that my transmission temps were as high as they were, ESPECIALLY when I was climbing the trail without anything in tow. I would have likely pushed to hold 35 MPH instead of 20 MPH while towing and would have undoubtedly been unknowingly subjecting my transmission to temps higher than what I saw.

My advice now is that anyone with a V6 should either install a transmission temp gauge (might as well do it both places like TechWrench mentions if you’re installing thermocouples) or buy a ScanGaugeII and keep a close eye on your transmission temp. From there it probably makes sense to install an aux transmission cooler if you do any towing in the mountains or even climb steep grades at less than highway speeds where the torque converter will be unlocked.

I have the B&M 70264 on order via Amazon and will be installing it prior to my next towing/off-road adventure coming up in a few weeks so I’ll have some before-and-after data for comparison.

Sure would be nice if the transmission could be reprogrammed to lock up in 2nd or at least 3rd gear in addition to 4th and 5th.

 

[Sungod]

My point was that just because you upgrade the hitch, it does not mean that you have to add the cooler. The two are not related. It isn't as if your 4runner will blow up because you added a heavier hitch and still tow your 500lbs jet ski. There are situations that you need the trans cooler even with the lower capacity hitch.

The reason a lot of people upgrade their hitch isn't to increase towing capacity it is because a standard draw bar hits the spare tire so you have to either cut the end off or use the Toyota one.

 

[CAN-03runner]

I would really appreciate if more experts could opin´about this matter

would a 2003 Pre April 2003 manufacture date v8 4x4 be rated for 7,000 lbs. if the factory hitch was removed and a good weight distributing class IV hitch receiver was installed?

Have any done this? Is there any problems with the spare tire mounting?

:shrug:

I've pulled 6000ish lbs with my 2003 and the standard receiver hitch a few times, with no problems. My manual states that the V8 is capable of the 7000lbs, and no mention of the upgraded hitch. I think trailer brakes and careful driving with reduced speed is more important than the receiver. That receiver is over built. Depending the angle that 5000lbs will exert more force on it while going up hill, turning, accelerating, hitting bumps and pot holes etc...

But in any case.... I have just recently installed the upgrade hitch receiver.

A heads up for you. It can be a HUGE pain to install it. You will need to remove the bolts that hold the recovery tow loop on the rear driver side. It may very well be rust welded by now since 2003. I had to drill mine out. A little at a time, bigger and bigger and then use a bolt extractor.

 

[OrdnanceMarine]

My point was that just because you upgrade the hitch, it does not mean that you have to add the cooler. The two are not related. It isn't as if your 4runner will blow up because you added a heavier hitch and still tow your 500lbs jet ski. There are situations that you need the trans cooler even with the lower capacity hitch.

The reason a lot of people upgrade their hitch isn't to increase towing capacity it is because a standard draw bar hits the spare tire so you have to either cut the end off or use the Toyota one.

Hopefully anyone here doesn't think the two are related.

I have a situation where I need the aux transmission cooler even if I didn't have a hitch, period!