Can someone please tell me what this is?

[Ruff]

I purchased my 2001 SR5 4X4 4Runner in 2003. It had the item on the attached pictures, so i thought all 4runners had it and did not pay much attention to it.

The first picture is location (front bumber), second picture is the item with the lid open, third picture is to show colors of cables attached.

I asked a couple of friends and they do not know what it is. Could it be a connection to after market fog lights the previous owner had?

Thanks in advance for the help.



Regards,
Ruff

 

[white_n_slow]

looks like maybe a wiring connection for flat towing?

 

[KidVermicious]

Unless they were towing a trailer in reverse, yup. That's a 4 way round connector for trailer lights. In this case your truck was the trailer.

 

[JWaldz]

^^ agreed. Looks like a previous owner may have hauled it behind a camper or something. That wire looks like typical trailer wire.

 

[TOY2G]

I purchased my 2001 SR5 4X4 4Runner in 2003. It had the item on the attached pictures, so i thought all 4runners had it and did not pay much attention to it.

The first picture is location (front bumber), second picture is the item with the lid open, third picture is to show colors of cables attached.

I asked a couple of friends and they do not know what it is. Could it be a connection to after market fog lights the previous owner had?

Thanks in advance for the help.



Regards,
Ruff

we had the same thing on our Rav4 so it could be towed behind our motorhome. An extension cord of sorts hooks the trailer connector of the motorhome to the plug on your truck and then your lights and turn signals work with the motorhome's.... Its pretty common, and defiantly aftermarket.

 

[TheDurk]

Any evidence there was ever a winch on there? It could be to plug in a winch remote control.

You need 4 pins to reverse a motor. Fog lights would be done with 2 pins. Have you traced the wires to the other end?

 

[Ruff]

part

Thanks for the responses.

I guess that I got a better deal on the 4R than I thought. I bought it in 2003 with 34K miles. I shall assume that it had less driven miles since it was being towed. I have not heard of mechanical issues with vehicles that are towed, and if there were it should have come up by now.

I have not traced the wires, will try tomorrow.

There aren't any switches inside to turn on/off anything. This is why I did not think it was for winch. The 4R did come with the towing package so I have the wiring connection in the back for towing trailers.

If this is a 4 way round connector for trailer lights, Can I use it for something else?


Ruff

 

[TheeMikeB]

Wiring color indicates it's a trailer setup. As stated above the 4runner was probably towed behind something.

Best way is to trace the wires.