I am just finishing the install of the Hidden hitch (70411) on my 2003 4Runner. And for those of you who are going to do this and are dumb like me, let me give you a technique that will save you much aggravation:
- The kit has 1 bolt with plate that sits inside the frame rail on either side. You must manuver these down the frame rail and then get in position. Here is what I did after finding my lost parts in the frame rail:
- Feed a string through the hole that fits the bolt head down through the hole that the bolt fits in to. Leave plenty of slack on both sides.
- Feed the string through the hole in the plate and then drop in the hole.
- Tie the end of the string to the end of the bolt (4 or so threads up) and then put into hole.
- Pull the end of the string to gather the bolt and the plate at the hole they are to be centered at (same hole string is running through.
- Using finger and string stand up bolt and allow to drop through hole and plate and rail.
- Leave string in place...it makes it easy for a helper to put the string through the proper holes in the hitch and then maintain tension as the hitch is moved into position so as not to knock the bolts back into the holes.
That method will save you tremendous aggravation, and help to make this install a satisfying 1-1 1/2 hour install.
One other note...you may not be able to re-install the 2 small bolts that hold the bumper facia on either side of the hitch center mount point The hitch, once installed does not leave enough room to fit them in. I am going to look for some shorter like threaded bolts next time I am at Lowes.
Hope this helps.
- The kit has 1 bolt with plate that sits inside the frame rail on either side. You must manuver these down the frame rail and then get in position. Here is what I did after finding my lost parts in the frame rail:
- Feed a string through the hole that fits the bolt head down through the hole that the bolt fits in to. Leave plenty of slack on both sides.
- Feed the string through the hole in the plate and then drop in the hole.
- Tie the end of the string to the end of the bolt (4 or so threads up) and then put into hole.
- Pull the end of the string to gather the bolt and the plate at the hole they are to be centered at (same hole string is running through.
- Using finger and string stand up bolt and allow to drop through hole and plate and rail.
- Leave string in place...it makes it easy for a helper to put the string through the proper holes in the hitch and then maintain tension as the hitch is moved into position so as not to knock the bolts back into the holes.
That method will save you tremendous aggravation, and help to make this install a satisfying 1-1 1/2 hour install.
One other note...you may not be able to re-install the 2 small bolts that hold the bumper facia on either side of the hitch center mount point The hitch, once installed does not leave enough room to fit them in. I am going to look for some shorter like threaded bolts next time I am at Lowes.
Hope this helps.
