Factory Hitch
- Thread starter KoNEJO
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kevinpt
Senior Member
as far as the bumper goes both ideas work. the bumper with hitch is molded different around the hitch but others have cut the bumper for the v6 hitch. you could get the v8 hitch that is under the bumper and requires no cutting as far as i know
TechWrench
Senior Member
It depends on which oem hitch you intend to use. If you want to use the V6 type hitch, which mounts to the rear cross member, then you will have to cut the rear bumper to allow clearance. Just remember the V6 hitch has six mounting bolts, and is almost impossible to install without removing the rear bumper cover. If you go with the frame mounted V8 type hitch, you most likely will not have to cut or remove the bumper cover to install it, and you will have a much stronger hitch.
TechWrench
Senior Member
The V6 type hitch will rust too, but most of it is hidden behind the bumper cover so you won't see it. If you do go with the V6 hitch, I believe it can still be ordered from Toyota (not sure how much), but as I recall, some of the other threads on this, the mounting bolts are not available from them. You will need hardened bolts and washers for the install. Do a search, there are several threads on this, and I believe a few may have the info on the correct size bolts you will need. There may even be a video or two on replacing the V6 hitch with the frame mounted model, which will show you how to remove the bumper cover to remove/install the V6 hitch to the rear cross member.
As long as you only intend to use a bike rack or tow light trailers, the V6 hitch will meet your needs.
Also, if you do decide to go with the V6 hitch, be careful about the length of the bike rack shaft that inserts into the hitch receiver. Because the spare tire sits just behind the rear cross member, the amount of space for excess bar length to fit is limited, and some devices may not fit all the way in. I, and others, have had to shorten some aftermarket bar mounts to get them to fit properly. And, one last bit of advice. If you do go with the V6 hitch, before you install it, try fitting the bike rack bar into the hitch first. The original V6 hitch's had a very tight clearance spec for the 2" receiver socket. I and others have found that some aftermarket tow bars and other accessories can be a very tight fit and may require force to get them in and out of the socket. Test fitting before the install could save you a lot of grief later on.
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If all you are doing is wanting to mount a bike rack, it might be easiest to purchase a 2" receiver as shown to extend right below the plastic OEM bumper (rather than cut it up) and use a piece of flat bar stock as a shim if required. Then, drill a couple of holes into the frame cross member to mount it.
http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-81378-Bumper-Receiver/dp/B0008F671S
http://www.amazon.com/Reese-Towpower-81378-Bumper-Receiver/dp/B0008F671S
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TechWrench
Senior Member
If you are thinking about the idea the previous poster mentioned, I, IMHO would not recommend it. It appears to be designed to mount under a pick-up truck bumper, and is only rated for 350 lb tongue rate, 3500 lb total tow weight. And that is if it is mounted in a secure fashion. Even the smaller V6 factory hitch is rated for 500/5000, and there are factory mounting holes with welded nuts already in the stock cross member.
Having to possibly use a shim, and drill mounting holes in the cross member can reduce the carry weight even more, assuming it is mounted in a secure fashion. Any money you save trying to short-cut your way to a hitch, may be more than lost if the hitch fails.
You can buy a Curt or Reese 2" receiver hitch (frame mounted like the v8 hitch) on Amazon for $135-150. They both use the factory holes in the frame. Don't trust the towing weights on Amazon, get the info from Curt/Reese website and just order the right part#. I ran the Reese on my 4Runner and it fit perfect.
