frame mounted hitch??...Toyota/Lexus??

[drnick]

The lexus version (GX470?) of the Toyota 4 runner has a Frame mounted hitch,while the 4 runner has a bumper mounted hitch....can the Lexus frame mounted hitch be installed on the 5 gen 4 runner?,on the 4runner's frame rails
there are extra threaded holes (2 on each side) that look like they would accept that lexus hitch??...and is rated for 600lb. tongue wght.

 

[ron in sc]

while the 4 runner has a bumper mounted hitch....

Does the place which the 4runner hitch connects to part of the welded frame?

 

[AlamoRunner]

Lexus P/N PT228-60100 GX Tow receiver (650/6500lb) was a bolt on to my '11 TE. (List $391 at my local Lexus dealer) There are 4 bolts on each side, 2 large, 2 small that match to welded nut/inserts on the TE frame. The 7 pin/4 flat wiring box is relocated with an included bracket and is accessed more easily than the OE placement. In the box are also 2 spacer plates but nothing on the TE frame for them to match up to. At this point I was in to my local UHaul service center for 1.5 hours of labor ($90). The hitch is HEAVY and it really helps to have the ramps that get the back of the TE up to working height and the hydraulic jack that holds the hitch while getting it into position and bolting up. The rear bumper cover is pried on during the installation and having replacement clips available might be a good idea. At this point the very substantial hitch bolted to the frame side rails is a significant improvement over the small OE 2" bracket hitch. The spacer brackets bugged me though and further research found that when the OE TE hitch is removed, there are holes which look like they would accept the rear crossmember bracket that is OE on the LX470 P/N 51908-WY010 (List $251) and 6 more bolts 90119-12361. Don't waste your time or money on this one... the rear crossmember on the TE is about 2" closer to the rear axle than on the LX so the bracket/spacers/and hitch do not match up (found this out with another $75 labor to drop the hitch and install the bracket).

 

[STLDAVE]

Lexus P/N PT228-60100 GX Tow receiver (650/6500lb) was a bolt on to my '11 TE. (List $391 at my local Lexus dealer) There are 4 bolts on each side, 2 large, 2 small that match to welded nut/inserts on the TE frame. The 7 pin/4 flat wiring box is relocated with an included bracket and is accessed more easily than the OE placement. In the box are also 2 spacer plates but nothing on the TE frame for them to match up to. At this point I was in to my local UHaul service center for 1.5 hours of labor ($90). The hitch is HEAVY and it really helps to have the ramps that get the back of the TE up to working height and the hydraulic jack that holds the hitch while getting it into position and bolting up. The rear bumper cover is pried on during the installation and having replacement clips available might be a good idea. At this point the very substantial hitch bolted to the frame side rails is a significant improvement over the small OE 2" bracket hitch. The spacer brackets bugged me though and further research found that when the OE TE hitch is removed, there are holes which look like they would accept the rear crossmember bracket that is OE on the LX470 P/N 51908-WY010 (List $251) and 6 more bolts 90119-12361. Don't waste your time or money on this one... the rear crossmember on the TE is about 2" closer to the rear axle than on the LX so the bracket/spacers/and hitch do not match up (found this out with another $75 labor to drop the hitch and install the bracket).

:worthless

 

[drnick]

Lexus P/N PT228-60100 GX Tow receiver (650/6500lb) was a bolt on to my '11 TE. (List $391 at my local Lexus dealer) There are 4 bolts on each side, 2 large, 2 small that match to welded nut/inserts on the TE frame. The 7 pin/4 flat wiring box is relocated with an included bracket and is accessed more easily than the OE placement. In the box are also 2 spacer plates but nothing on the TE frame for them to match up to. At this point I was in to my local UHaul service center for 1.5 hours of labor ($90). The hitch is HEAVY and it really helps to have the ramps that get the back of the TE up to working height and the hydraulic jack that holds the hitch while getting it into position and bolting up. The rear bumper cover is pried on during the installation and having replacement clips available might be a good idea. At this point the very substantial hitch bolted to the frame side rails is a significant improvement over the small OE 2" bracket hitch. The spacer brackets bugged me though and further research found that when the OE TE hitch is removed, there are holes which look like they would accept the rear crossmember bracket that is OE on the LX470 P/N 51908-WY010 (List $251) and 6 more bolts 90119-12361. Don't waste your time or money on this one... the rear crossmember on the TE is about 2" closer to the rear axle than on the LX so the bracket/spacers/and hitch do not match up (found this out with another $75 labor to drop the hitch and install the bracket).

Alamorunner,you have a 5th gen 4runner?and this hitch(Pt#pt228-60100)
fit on your vehicle without any issue's with the spare tire?THX for the info.

 

[SigSense]

Goods news, please allow my mind to fully envision this with some pics!

 

[Antman]

At first I was all like :hungry: :banana: arty:

Then after I read the post, I was like :wow: :shrug:

What does all that mean? Does it work, or not?

 

[Qjake]

:snacker:

 

[Victor_inox]

Correct me if I`m wrong here... sooooo Lexus P/N PT228-60100 GX Tow receiver (650/6500lb) was a bolt on. LX470 P/N 51908-WY010 (List $251) doesn`t fit.
if that`s correct how much beefier pT22860100 vs 4runner stock hitch is?

 

[lezavw90]

Correct me if I`m wrong here... sooooo Lexus P/N PT228-60100 GX Tow receiver (650/6500lb) was a bolt on. LX470 P/N 51908-WY010 (List $251) doesn`t fit.
if that`s correct how much beefier pT22860100 vs 4runner stock hitch is?

I read the op's post about 6 times and from what I got out of it you are correct. Sounds like the frame mount hitch fits and the cheaper cross member mounted one doesn't. Would love to see pics of this and a reply from the op.

 

[drnick]

Correct me if I`m wrong here... sooooo Lexus P/N PT228-60100 GX Tow receiver (650/6500lb) was a bolt on. LX470 P/N 51908-WY010 (List $251) doesn`t fit.
if that`s correct how much beefier pT22860100 vs 4runner stock hitch is?

Checked out the lexus hitch on there version of the Toyota 4runner (I think it's a GX470)....big diff! it's alot beefier!...and it mounts closer to the axle
on the frame rails,like a ford/chevy/dodge...would like to see pics,and or a
more specific write up,as this is important for towing maxed out trailer's,and quite honestly.if this a simple bolt-on,toyota should list it as an option!

 

[lezavw90]

AlamoRunner I'm hoping you can chime in on this with pics. I really hope this works out and Its going to be my first purchase if it does.

Setting up the wdh on my trailer (Nash 17C 2800lbs unloaded with 420lb tongue weight) the stock hitch flexes a lot. Not sure if that it's meant to do that in the design, but with the wdh setup to get 1/2in rear the deflection on the hitch is quite a bit. I'm thinking the wdh is having to be tightened down more than it needs to be to transfer weight to the front because It's having to overcome the hitch deflection.

With a stiffer hitch the leverage would be transferred more efficiently? Am I right in this thinking or not? I'm not a hugely experienced tower and have just started with smaller travel trailers in the last few years. The only other vehicle I've towed with was our 09 Tacoma (traded it in for the runner) and it had a very solid hitch.

On a side note with the wdh setup properly the 4runner tows the trailer excellently. The soft throttle is exaggerated with a load but there's plenty of power on tap. I took the whole setup to the commercial axle scales and our trailer fully loaded (50g water, 2x30lb propane, battery and gear) we weighed in at 3700lbs.

 

[OrangeTexan]

You are correct in your thinking. The T4R hitch is mounted to the cross member which is what is flexing. With the weight distributing hitch (wdh) system you are putting a lot more stress on the cross member and you could actually end up damaging it. I would get this Lexus hitch before I did too much towing with the wdh setup.

 

[Titanpat57]

Is this it?

Lexus Parts World - Lexus Floor Mats and Accessories

Mr. Bueler?

 

[WadeMetzinger]

What I'm not understanding and pictures would probably help but I thought that the cross member on the TR4 is welded to the frame so I don't see how you could replace the OEM receive/hitch with the Lexus one....

I hope you can but need to see some picture on how it's done with the stock cross member in place and not in the way.

 

[lezavw90]

Is this it?

Lexus Parts World - Lexus Floor Mats and Accessories

Mr. Bueler?

That part number matches.

 

[lezavw90]

What I'm not understanding and pictures would probably help but I thought that the cross member on the TR4 is welded to the frame so I don't see how you could replace the OEM receive/hitch with the Lexus one....

I hope you can but need to see some picture on how it's done with the stock cross member in place and not in the way.

The factory 4runner hitch bolts to the cross member, I'm guessing un bolting it would allow enough room for the frame mounted hitch to fit under the rear cross member.

 

[Shooter33]

Flexing?

I have to ask. How do you know that the hitch is flexing? Just because you see the hitch ball angled upwards toward the trailer (when the wdh is engaged), that doesn't mean it's flexing. What you are probably seeing is the play between the hitch and the hitch receiver. On mine, there is a considerable amount of play. If you put the hitch into the receiver and pull up on it, you'll see what I mean.

The cross member that the hitch it bolted to is fully boxed and seam-welded to the frame. It is impressively strong. And if it is actually flexing, that means you are inducing enough stress to drive that steel into it's elastic range. Do that enough times and then fatigue will develop....and then you are in trouble.

3700# is well under Toyota's 5000# tow limit. There should be zero flexing whatsoever with your setup. If Toyota did not build the truck to handle a WDH, then they would DEFINITELY put it in the manual. They've been building vehicles for a long time, and they certainly would not allow themselves to be easy targets for litigation.

I understand your concern, however. If you read these forums often, you'll be left believing your truck cannot pull a matchbox car behind it.

Your setup is fine. Stop worrying about it and enjoy your camper.

AlamoRunner I'm hoping you can chime in on this with pics. I really hope this works out and Its going to be my first purchase if it does.

Setting up the wdh on my trailer (Nash 17C 2800lbs unloaded with 420lb tongue weight) the stock hitch flexes a lot. Not sure if that it's meant to do that in the design, but with the wdh setup to get 1/2in sag front and rear the deflection on the hitch is quite a bit. I'm thinking the wdh is having to be tightened down more than it needs to be to transfer weight to the front because It's having to overcome the hitch deflection.

With a stiffer hitch the leverage would be transferred more efficiently? Am I right in this thinking or not? I'm not a hugely experienced tower and have just started with smaller travel trailers in the last few years. The only other vehicle I've towed with was our 09 Tacoma (traded it in for the runner) and it had a very solid hitch.

On a side note with the wdh setup properly the 4runner tows the trailer excellently. The soft throttle is exaggerated with a load but there's plenty of power on tap. I took the whole setup to the commercial axle scales and our trailer fully loaded (50g water, 2x30lb propane, battery and gear) we weighed in at 3700lbs.

 

[lezavw90]

I know it's flexing due to the paint on the hitch cracked off and after disconnecting the trailer the hitch is no longer perpendicular to the ground as it was when new. I'm not putting unreasonable force on the wdh either I haven't used a pry bar to engage it I've been using my hand

 

[homeyclaus]

I know it's flexing due to the paint on the hitch cracked off and after disconnecting the trailer the hitch is no longer perpendicular to the ground as it was when new. I'm not putting unreasonable force on the wdh either I haven't used a pry bar to engage it I've been using my hand

If that is the case you have a defective hitch mount or worse. GO SEE YOUR DEALER TOUTE SUITE.

I tow ~3800 regularly, and while there is some flaking at the welds, the dealer insists it's okay. If more owners come forwards with a hitch issue they will address it.