confused about toyota hitch/towing package

[rdb4runner]

I've been researching a lot and can't seem to find exactly the answer I need. I just recently bought a 2004 v8 4R SR5 and it has the towing package(tranny cooler, electrical hookup)...my problem is shouldn't this package come with a hitch reciever of some sort, the rear bumper has a cutout and what looks like a mount plate? is there a toyota part (weight carrying hitch maybe?) that just bolts up using the 4 bolt holes in the pic? or am i totally missing something here and I need to actually buy a whole wdh reciever (hiddenhitch probably) to complete my tow package...obviously i would need the actual mount and ball, but thats not my big problem. This 4R was purchased new at Autoexchange here in Germany who caters to the military with new US spec vehicles, the previous owner said he never had a hitch of any sort(he was kinda gay and wondered what I would tow with a 4Runner) I'm not sure if getting it over here had anything to do with how the options are set up.(they can't custom order toyota's, they just tell you what they have coming in country). sorry for the long post and hope someone can help.

 

[rdb4runner]

second picture

 

[scott3710]

I just recently bought a 2004 v8 4R SR5 and it has the towing package(tranny cooler, electrical hookup)...my problem is shouldn't this package come with a hitch reciever of some sort, the rear bumper has a cutout and what looks like a mount plate? is there a toyota part (weight carrying hitch maybe?) that just bolts up using the 4 bolt holes in the pic? or am i totally missing something here and I need to actually buy a whole wdh reciever (hiddenhitch probably) to complete my tow package...obviously i would need the actual mount and ball, but thats not my big problem.

Mine came with the tow package which included the receiver and ball mount. The mounting looks like yours with 4 bolts, however I don't have a Toyota part number for just the receiver.

 

[RaysMD]

I remember an old thread about the same problem a military overseas purchase. Do a search and you'll find all the info. It seems that the factory never installed the proper receiver.

 

[rdb4runner]

yea i found the other thread from 2004 after i posted, went to autoexchange today and they said that the 4Runner i bought wasn't sold with the towing package originally, so it seems it was "tow prepped" or something along those lines...basically the guy i bought it from doesn't know what hes talking about. i asked him specifically about the tow package and he said it had one, but i suppose it was my bad to not do the research first about the reciever. the bill of sale says sold as is so i think i'm SOL on getting him to pay for it. that being said i was going to go with the 7000lb toyota hitch, dealer installed because its a PITA to get garage space here, or do you recommend the hidden hitch?

 

[oldboy]

here's what a stock hitch looks like

Electrical hookup on left, class III hitch is frame mounted - not just a receiver bolted to the last pic you posted... Moose is a Mainiac option...
Lou

 

[rdb4runner]

just ordered the toyota frame mounted hitch from the dealer here, should be here in a week or so...we'll see how installation goes if i do it myself. thanks for the replies.