Front Receiver?

[Aodhan]

Trying to see if there are any 3rd gen 4runners with a front receivers installed? I tried doing a search but could not get the answer that I was looking for.

I am looking to mount the hitch/receiver on the front of my 1998 3rd gen.

Has anyone done this? or am I nuts for thinking about doing this?

Basically just looking to attached a hitch mount winch, and dont really want to go with the ARB or Shrockworks winch bumper just quite yet.

Thanks for your help and advice

 

[4-Ripcord]

I know a few people with them, none are 4runners though.

 

[bitchaaz]

Seems to me you can just weld some plates on both sides of a hitch bar and utilize the bolt holes for the tow hooks to attach to the frame.
Just a brainstorm

 

[Zachpins34]

Is this what you are talking about?

1996- 2004 Tacoma / 1996-2002 4runner drawtite front hitch

 

[bitchaaz]

That looks like exactly what hes talking about. Someone just fabbed that up with a draw tight hitch. Another place you can look is like an RV place, in the towing section. RV's are always towing vehicles and they have the accessories for it.

 

[Stick Figure]

I always like this one for the 4th gen:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/85730-new-hidden-front-receiver-hitch.html

Only thing i wasn't super excited about is that it appears to remove the factory crush zones. No worse than 99% of the aftermarket bumpers out there though.

I like the idea simply because if I purchase a winch it would be awesome to be able to use it front, back, or on a trailer with out any real work to swap it around.

Looks easy enough to fab up or contact them and see if they will make one for a third gen.

 

[CanukRunner]

OMG!!

That looks like a way around the insurance company!!!

I m sure they dont like aftermarket bumpers... and I have a rear but dont have the balls to put a front on because im sure the insurance company would drop me if they found out....... or not insure an accident...

But with this i the factory bumper is still attached! and this is just an accesory....

SO happy i saw this!!

 

[tbst]

$250 for that draw-tite! Someone needs to put down the crack pipe, IMO.

 

[Aodhan]

Zachpins34 - good find! I am thinking if I might go that route if I can not get it set up behind the bumper

Stick Figure, that is exactly what I am thinking of trying to copy for the 3rd gen 4runner. I am hoping that someone might have tried that already so I could copy their set up, but looks like I might blaze my own trail on this one.

Thanks for the help so far! Any other thoughts or suggestions about this? I don't off road a whole lot, mainly just some gnarly forestry roads in the northwest while camping, I just want the safety of having a winch in case I end up stuck somewhere.

 

[Jeffkin]

$250 for that draw-tite! Someone needs to put down the crack pipe, IMO.

No kidding! LOL That guy has been posting it over and over and over again for at least 6 months, maybe a year! Uh, maybe lower the price?! LOL

 

[w650gb500]

I asked the same thing a few weeks ago and a member here(The Kid )advised me that a Tacoma is the same as our truck up front. Who knew.

I just bolted mine on tonite. I did a "google" search for Tacoma front receiver and took a look at everything that was available. Once I found one that seemed affordable, I went to Amazon and bought one. I got a Reese model 65041, but the Warn was highly suggested.

Its very simple to install.
- Remove the 4 bolts from the stock tow hook and tie downs.
- Remove the front skidplate.
- Remove the 4 lower bolts from the bumper bracket mounts.
- Grind off the back side welded nuts from the lower bumper bolt mounts.
- Put the receiver in place and bolt it in.
- My Reese had 2 additional mounting holes on the side that go into bolt
holes on the Tacoma, but our trucks don't have them. You need to mark
and drill a hole in the frame and then remove the whole thing.
- The hole that you just drilled needs to be enlarged to 11/16" and a supplied
riv-nut installed.
- Now the receiver gets bolted back in place for good, so some locktite on
the threads is a good idea.
- Bolt the skidplate back on.
- Check the front bumper cover for clearance and trim the plastic accordingly.

If you would like, I can take some pix of the installed piece tomorrow.

 

[tbst]

Good find. $150 from amazon is worth it.

 

[Aodhan]

If you would not mind, pictures would be awesome. Sounds easy enough that I might try and do it this weekend.

Thanks for posting up!!!

I asked the same thing a few weeks ago and a member here(The Kid )advised me that a Tacoma is the same as our truck up front. Who knew.

I just bolted mine on tonite. I did a "google" search for Tacoma front receiver and took a look at everything that was available. Once I found one that seemed affordable, I went to Amazon and bought one. I got a Reese model 65041, but the Warn was highly suggested.

Its very simple to install.
- Remove the 4 bolts from the stock tow hook and tie downs.
- Remove the front skidplate.
- Remove the 4 lower bolts from the bumper bracket mounts.
- Grind off the back side welded nuts from the lower bumper bolt mounts.
- Put the receiver in place and bolt it in.
- My Reese had 2 additional mounting holes on the side that go into bolt
holes on the Tacoma, but our trucks don't have them. You need to mark
and drill a hole in the frame and then remove the whole thing.
- The hole that you just drilled needs to be enlarged to 11/16" and a supplied
riv-nut installed.
- Now the receiver gets bolted back in place for good, so some locktite on
the threads is a good idea.
- Bolt the skidplate back on.
- Check the front bumper cover for clearance and trim the plastic accordingly.

If you would like, I can take some pix of the installed piece tomorrow.

 

[the great him]

OMG!!

That looks like a way around the insurance company!!!

I m sure they dont like aftermarket bumpers... and I have a rear but dont have the balls to put a front on because im sure the insurance company would drop me if they found out....... or not insure an accident...

But with this i the factory bumper is still attached! and this is just an accesory....

SO happy i saw this!!

no insurance will drop you for having an after market bumper, or deny a claim... thats like saying because you put mud tires on your truck we wont insure it anymore...

 

[NOT ME OR SOMEBODY]

x2 on some pictures. If you can take some of where it bolts up please do so.

 

[w650gb500]

x2 on some pictures. If you can take some of where it bolts up please do so.

I will take some pix tomorrow.

If you take a quick look under the front of your truck, you'll see where the tow hook and factory tie-down brackets are bolted on. You remove those 4 bolts, 2 on each side.

Pix after 8 tomorrow night.

 

[Stick Figure]

Zachpins34 - good find! I am thinking if I might go that route if I can not get it set up behind the bumper

Stick Figure, that is exactly what I am thinking of trying to copy for the 3rd gen 4runner. I am hoping that someone might have tried that already so I could copy their set up, but looks like I might blaze my own trail on this one.

Thanks for the help so far! Any other thoughts or suggestions about this? I don't off road a whole lot, mainly just some gnarly forestry roads in the northwest while camping, I just want the safety of having a winch in case I end up stuck somewhere.

Where are you located?

 

[w650gb500]

I got the front hitch receiver on the truck and it was an easy installation. Here's a few pix of the completed piece.


This is a shot looking up at where it mounts to the original tie-down and tow hook holes.

This is the hole that needs to be drilled in the frame. Since the receiver is actually for a Tacoma, their frame has the hole, but the T4R does not.

The 2 bolts that attach the front bumper mount need to be removed and eventually replaced. I haven't done it yet, but when I do I'll take and post a picture.

The receiver needs to be ground down about 3/16" in order to clear the bumper brackets. Its just a bit of the side piece in front of the weld joint and will not affect anything.

Its a tight fit, but is exactly what I needed to mount my plow. Funny thing is, it still hasn't snowed enough to use it this winter. No complaints.

 

[tbst]

How much $?

 

[w650gb500]

I believe it was $154 to my door. Check Amazon.com and search for Reese 65041. I'm at the shop, but if you can't find it, send me a PM and I'll check tonite.