Factory tow harness

[TechWrench]

I just replaced the factory 5k 'bumper' type tow hitch with a side frame mounted hitch. Because the hitch tube interferes with where the OEM 7-pin wire harness is mounted, you are supposed to remove the bracket and mount the plug receptacle on the hitch tube with a clamp on type mount. The only problem is the harness isn't long enough to reach to the new position.

Has anyone run into this problem? Unless I make my own 'extension adapter', I haven't been able to find a simple solution. I was wondering if the V8 with the factory 7K hitch had a longer tow harness than the V6. I tried to order a 2nd tow harness, which I would cut and extend myself so I don't screw up the original one, but the dealer can't locate the harness, or a part # for it. I could buy a plug and socket, and wire them to make a 12" extension, if necessary, but I don't want to add more connection points that can fail in the future, if possible.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

My hitch came setup like this and has the high load rating. ...factory harness no prob.:biggrin2: My pics are about 2/3 of the way down the page. :cheers:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35954

 

[TechWrench]

My hitch came setup like this and has the high load rating. ...factory harness no prob.:biggrin2: My pics are about 2/3 of the way down the page. :cheers:
http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=35954

Thanks for the link to the other thread. It looks like your hitch was an aftermarket item. Did you have it installed as an option, or did the dealer do it? How did they mount the wiring plug bracket to the hitch, it is hard to tell from the pics. I checked my oem harness again, and it looks like I might get enough slack in the harness to make it work if I remove all the harness tie-down clips to the frame. Then the only problem I see is the Toyota plug receptacle doesn't mount to the aftermarket brackets easily. I'll have to work on that one.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Thanks for the link to the other thread. It looks like your hitch was an aftermarket item. Did you have it installed as an option, or did the dealer do it? How did they mount the wiring plug bracket to the hitch, it is hard to tell from the pics. I checked my oem harness again, and it looks like I might get enough slack in the harness to make it work if I remove all the harness tie-down clips to the frame. Then the only problem I see is the Toyota plug receptacle doesn't mount to the aftermarket brackets easily. I'll have to work on that one.

1) Yes, aftermarket.

2) The hitch had a plug bracket on it. All accomplished by unplugging the trailer plug and passing the wire throught the hole on the hitch plug bracket and then bolting the plug to the hitch.

3) The plug bracket was welded to the hitch at the time of manufacture.
:cheers:

 

[TechWrench]

1) Yes, aftermarket.

2) The hitch had a plug bracket on it. All accomplished by unplugging the trailer plug and passing the wire throught the hole on the hitch plug bracket and then bolting the plug to the hitch.

3) The plug bracket was welded to the hitch at the time of manufacture.
:cheers:

OK, thanks. In the thread you linked to earlier, I noted the other set of vehicle hitch pics with the harness plug mounted on the end plate of the hitch mount to the frame using the original plug mount. It would work, but I don't like the extra distance the plug is from the center line of the vehicle. The wire harness from the trailer has to stretch a lot more when making a right turn. I want to locate the harness plug as close to the center of the hitch as possible, so there is less extra wire slack that could get caught up on something or drag on the ground.

 

[Uneek]

OK, thanks. In the thread you linked to earlier, I noted the other set of vehicle hitch pics with the harness plug mounted on the end plate of the hitch mount to the frame using the original plug mount. It would work, but I don't like the extra distance the plug is from the center line of the vehicle. The wire harness from the trailer has to stretch a lot more when making a right turn. I want to locate the harness plug as close to the center of the hitch as possible, so there is less extra wire slack that could get caught up on something or drag on the ground.

TechWrench,

I have the early version of the HiddenHitch 70779 (5k rating). Originally when I placed the order it was suppose to be the 70411. I think it the seller had it dropped shipped and that's when Cequent discontinued the 70411 and shipped the 70779.

The plug harness on mine is moved over and the two clips that hold the wiring on the side of the left side frame rail needs to be unclipped to give it enough slack to move over to the side of the hitch. I wasn't too fond of the idea or setup, but I got the hitch mainly for accessories (bike rack) than for towing, so the lack of reach is a lesser concern to me until time to comes hookup a trailer. Then I'll cuss out HiddenHitch or Cequent for the crappy design. :

 

[TechWrench]

TechWrench,

I have the early version of the HiddenHitch 70779 (5k rating). Originally when I placed the order it was suppose to be the 70411. I think it the seller had it dropped shipped and that's when Cequent discontinued the 70411 and shipped the 70779.

The plug harness on mine is moved over and the two clips that hold the wiring on the side of the left side frame rail needs to be unclipped to give it enough slack to move over to the side of the hitch. I wasn't too fond of the idea or setup, but I got the hitch mainly for accessories (bike rack) than for towing, so the lack of reach is a lesser concern to me until time to comes hookup a trailer. Then I'll cuss out HiddenHitch or Cequent for the crappy design. :

I see that your rig was the one I mentioned with the plug mounted on the outer left side. It is interesting that the weight ratings on the various hidden hitch models have changed is such a short time. The 70779 now listed on the etrailer site is now rated at 3,500k WC and 5,000k WD, a big difference from the earlier ones. I got the Valley, V82691, rated at 5,000k WC, and 6,000k WD. It has an extra gusset plate on top of the ball mount hole, and uses three bolts per side to mount to the frame rails. But it uses a larger rear bolt and nut in the front instead of the two smaller bolts in the oem front frame holes with the weld-nuts. I didn't have to cut any of the bumper cover, but did have to remove the bumper in order to remove the factory hitch mount, which was a big PITA. So I have the cut-out in the bumper cover showing where the original hitch was mounted. I'm still working on how I will finally mount the wire harness plug on the hitch bar. When I get it done, I'll post some pics.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

OK, thanks. In the thread you linked to earlier, I noted the other set of vehicle hitch pics with the harness plug mounted on the end plate of the hitch mount to the frame using the original plug mount. It would work, but I don't like the extra distance the plug is from the center line of the vehicle. The wire harness from the trailer has to stretch a lot more when making a right turn. I want to locate the harness plug as close to the center of the hitch as possible, so there is less extra wire slack that could get caught up on something or drag on the ground.

The way my plug is mounted I have yet to find a trailer that doesn't have a long enough cord. The angle of the makes a big difference. I do carry a 6" 4-wire extension but have never needed to use it.

 

[TechWrench]

The way my plug is mounted I have yet to find a trailer that doesn't have a long enough cord. The angle of the makes a big difference. I do carry a 6" 4-wire extension but have never needed to use it.

If that location works for you, OK. I notice you mentioned you are using a 4-wire hook-up, which doesn't weigh that much. With the 7-wire camper harness (w/electric brake), the cable is a lot heavier, so I would be concerned that the extra weight of making the longer run could accidentally pull the plug out of the socket while driving. Toyota finally was able to locate the part number for the oem tow harness, which is a factory option according to them. It goes for $268.00. I think I am going to make my own extension and mount and save a 'few' bucks.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

If that location works for you, OK. I notice you mentioned you are using a 4-wire hook-up, which doesn't weigh that much. With the 7-wire camper harness (w/electric brake), the cable is a lot heavier, so I would be concerned that the extra weight of making the longer run could accidentally pull the plug out of the socket while driving. Toyota finally was able to locate the part number for the oem tow harness, which is a factory option according to them. It goes for $268.00. I think I am going to make my own extension and mount and save a 'few' bucks.

I have used heavy extensions. I find a couple of strategically placed bungee cords fixes everything :bigok:

:cheers:

 

[Uneek]

Tech Wrench,

IIRC, mine has one smaller bolt (front most) and two bigger bolts that go on the frame rail on each side. Then there are two drop nuts that into the rear most cross-member. (Eight bolts total.) It doesn't have any bolts that go to the center where the stock hitch would've gone. I had to remove the brackets that hold bumper fascia in place. No cutting of the bumper was necessary, though the bumper is compressed a bit when the hitch is bolted up to the frame tight.

 

[TechWrench]

Tech Wrench,

IIRC, mine has one smaller bolt (front most) and two bigger bolts that go on the frame rail on each side. Then there are two drop nuts that into the rear most cross-member. (Eight bolts total.) It doesn't have any bolts that go to the center where the stock hitch would've gone. I had to remove the brackets that hold bumper fascia in place. No cutting of the bumper was necessary, though the bumper is compressed a bit when the hitch is bolted up to the frame tight.

My valley unit sits about an inch lower than the hidden hitch unit you and CJ3Flyr have, so there is no contact with the bumper cover and no need to remove those brackets. But, because my unit was 5 1/2 years old before I decided to install the hitch upgrade, I did have some problems with two of the the bumper mount bolts not coming loose because of rust and breaking.