A little more "Utility" for my SUV!
- Thread starter Doozi
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Snesley Wipes
New member
That looks nice! Did you take off your old one or was this a clean install?
Doozi
New member
Thanks guys! Not pulling anything specific... I want to build a custom 5' x 9' utility trailer, I'll need to trailer my V8 Miata to the exhaust shop (hopefully this summer), and I have some landscaping to do this summer.
My 4Runner didn't have a factory hitch on it so the toughest part of the install was holding the hitch in place by myself while trying to start the bolts. I discovered that the exhaust helps to hold the passenger-side up while focusing on getting the driver-side bolts started.
My 4Runner didn't have a factory hitch on it so the toughest part of the install was holding the hitch in place by myself while trying to start the bolts. I discovered that the exhaust helps to hold the passenger-side up while focusing on getting the driver-side bolts started.
Doozi
New member
I think that most do... this one didn't, which is fine by me as I know that it probably never towed anything. I have weird luck with options on used cars... my Gen3 had a hitch with no trailer wiring and no roof rack, my Gen4 has the trailer wiring with no hitch, a roof rack, but no rear spoiler.
I believe all 4th gen 4Runners came with either a load bearing (V6) or load distributing (V8) hitch receiver as standard equipment from the factory. My guess is that the hitch receiver that was installed on your 4Runner was removed by the prior owner before you purchased it. Are the electrical connectors present? If so, that's a sure sign that the hitch receiver was removed. If not, whomever removed the hitch receiver might have taken the electrical connectors too.
I know that all the early ('03 - '05) 4Runners came with a hitch. Did they change that for the '06 and later models?
ryanbt
New member
Neither our '08 Sport or '08 Urban Runner came with hitches. Both bought brand new, both had the trailer wiring.
I bought the same hitch but because I like a clean look I took the Curt sticker off and stuck it to the back page of the owner's manual. One thing I didn't like about the Curt hitch is that the Valor tip on the exhaust pipe hits the side of the hitch when you start the engine (a mere second rattle, yet annoying to me nonetheless). To solve this I got a thick piece of rubber and glued it to the side of the hitch.
I may be wrong, but I think the factory (or perhaps port installed) hitches had the center "notch" in the bumper cover removed.
I bought the same hitch but because I like a clean look I took the Curt sticker off and stuck it to the back page of the owner's manual. One thing I didn't like about the Curt hitch is that the Valor tip on the exhaust pipe hits the side of the hitch when you start the engine (a mere second rattle, yet annoying to me nonetheless). To solve this I got a thick piece of rubber and glued it to the side of the hitch.
I may be wrong, but I think the factory (or perhaps port installed) hitches had the center "notch" in the bumper cover removed.
Yeah, now that I think about it, Toyota might have made that change during the mid-cycle refresh in 2006. I'm almost positive that all '03 - '05 4Runners came with a hitch receiver as standard equipment.
Doozi
New member
Yes... mine has the wiring harness and has never had a receiver mounted to it. I've noticed a few Runners without any hitch at all and they all seem to have had the LED tail lights. The reason that I noticed that combination is when I was narrowing in on my search for a 4Runner, I was trying to identify which models came with LEDs... probably supports the '06 and up theory.
Not to be contradictory, but my '04 has a hitch but it says U-Haul. I can't imagine the original owner would have swapped it out.
My neighbor and I have almost matching 07 4wd T4R's. Mine came with a towing package for about $220, which included a transmission cooler. Hers has no hitch at all, nor a spoiler, for that matter. I like the look of my spoiler, but it hits kayaks when they are in Yakima cradles on the roof. It's fiberglass, so touching it up is not a big issue.
Uneek
Super Moderator
Yup, the hitch became a $430 option on 2006-09 V6.
I can guarantee you that your '04 came with a hitch receiver from the factory. Since you have a V6, the original owner probably swapped it out for a heavier duty load distributing hitch from UHaul.
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