blarchitect
Member
Want to fit a Reece hitch but don't have the welded nut brackets for the two rear most mounting points. They are not sold separately, as far as I can tell. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Hitch Receiver Installation Without Captive Nut Brackets?
- Thread starter blarchitect
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aontkos
New member
A local welding shop can probably take measurements and weld some nuts to a plate fairly easily and cheaply. It will definitely be robust compared to what came with these from the factory.
4xInnovations also provides these with their rear bumpers, but they are not listed on their website. If you contact them you might be able to work something out.
Last edited:
blarchitect
Member
Thanks for the reply. There is only one local welder here and it costs a dollar for a gulp of air in his shop. The hitch was $50 and it would cost way more than that to fab some brackets. Was wondering if anyone had come up with a novel/MacGyver alternative?
aontkos
New member
If I remember correctly, you might be able to stick a breaker bar into the open frame rail with the bumper removed. If this is the case, then you could bypass the whole weld plate altogether. It will probably be a hassle to get the bolts threaded into the "loose" nuts, but if you don't plan to take it off again (or don't mind the future hassle when you do), then this is also an option.
Come to think of it, I had to use a hole on the side of the frame rail to access the nut closest to the front of the truck when the nuts broke loose from the weld plate.
phattyduck
Elite Member
Curt sells "bolt fish wires" that can be used to get a bolt into a tough to access hole - but you still have to find a way to keep the bolt from spinning while you tighten the nut (so, bolt would drop down from inside frame)... so still doesn't solve your problem.
-Charlie
-Charlie
blarchitect
Member
^^ Good suggestion removing rear bumper for inserting a wrench down inside the frame..
Also noticed that fish wire bolt attachments and star lock washers are used by another hitch supplier but I'm not familiar with them, If anyone has any experience using them for our application?
Also noticed that fish wire bolt attachments and star lock washers are used by another hitch supplier but I'm not familiar with them, If anyone has any experience using them for our application?
blarchitect
Member
Charlie, thanks. You read my thoughts.
19963.4lsr5
New member
This is simple welding.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Curt sells the replacement hardware. This should work with most hitches made for the 3rd Gen 4Runners since the holes in the frame are the same and you need the weldnut brackets: Replacement Hardware Kit for Trailer Hitches
follow the instructions on that page to buy the hardware kit.
follow the instructions on that page to buy the hardware kit.
Reinout
Member
I was thinking of putting in a bolt with a "fish wire" from the inside of the frame, but then I thought: What if you were to get a steel plate, 1/2" thick?, drill and tap to the appropriate threads?
https://assets.curtmfg.com/masterlibrary/13087/installsheet/13087_INS.pdf
blarchitect
Member
Finally fitted. Bought Torque Converter Retainer Bracket Straps on ebay for a few dollars each and dremmeled out the square openings to take a larger diameter coach bolt. Slightly undersized the opening to press in the bolt with a vice. The strap jammed against the inside of the frame when tightening so bolt head wouldn't move.
I like the older style Reece hitch like the one in post #11 as it doesn't project as much.
I like the older style Reece hitch like the one in post #11 as it doesn't project as much.
Attachments
blarchitect
Member
Torque Converter Retainer Bracket Strap1 pc Set of Adjustable Transmission Torque Converter Retainer Bracket Strap | eBay
blarchitect
Member
Torque Converter Retainer Bracket Strap1 pc Set of Adjustable Transmission Torque Converter Retainer Bracket Strap | eBay
