Hopkins Vehicle Wiring Kit?

[Kung]

So it would appear that the tail light converter box in my 4Runner is kablooie; I'll re-measure (bad battery @ the time) but I don't believe I was getting squat at the 4-pin plug @ the back end.

I've ordered the specific 4Runner Hopkins wiring kit for my year; just curious if anyone else has used this particular kit. Supposedly, for some reason, it works fantastically, OTHER than the fact that Hopkins said "OEM box is on the driver's side? Great! We'll put our box on the OTHER side", therefore requiring the owner to do a bit of easy but pain in the butt wiring.

TOYOTA 4-Runner, '96-02 :: Hopkins Towing Solutions

 

[LittleCaesar]

It is an easy plug and play install. For some odd reason, the box is positioned on the passenger side. Takes at the most an hour to do.

Maybe the install was contrived by an actuary?

 

[Kung]

If so, he wasn't a good one; he failed to account for the elevated risk of ticked-off T4R owners standing ready to pelt him with tomatoes due to the dyslexic design of the Hopkins tail light converter install.



Seriously, it took me all of about 10 minutes to get to where I could see/reach the OEM tail light converter. Maybe another 10 minutes for the other side, and I'm not sure how long the wire routing will take.

Actually, that's the only REAL question I have. The install instructions show some perforation near the bumper on the right-hand side; I see nothing. Is there some hole in the body I don't know about yet, or does one just install as you (and the instructions) say, and then route the 4-pin trailer connector from the new location to wherever the current wire exits the vehicle?

 

[Kung]

Well, it took me a lot longer to do, but that was mainly due to having to search for tools.

At least now I have a clue what those 'X-box' things are; and I'm glad to say that the trailer lights lit right up.

However, I will say that I think the OEM tail light converter may actually be fine. I believe the fault was with one of the grounding points - the wire literally fell off in my hands.

SO, if someone has this problem, and wants to pay for shipping, I've got an OEM tail light converter that *may* be alright.

 

[pangleaa]

Well, it took me a lot longer to do, but that was mainly due to having to search for tools.

At least now I have a clue what those 'X-box' things are; and I'm glad to say that the trailer lights lit right up.

However, I will say that I think the OEM tail light converter may actually be fine. I believe the fault was with one of the grounding points - the wire literally fell off in my hands.

SO, if someone has this problem, and wants to pay for shipping, I've got an OEM tail light converter that *may* be alright.

Actually, that's the only REAL question I have. The install instructions show some perforation near the bumper on the right-hand side; I see nothing. Is there some hole in the body I don't know about yet, or does one just install as you (and the instructions) say, and then route the 4-pin trailer connector from the new location to wherever the current wire exits the vehicle?

 

[Kung]

Yes, there's a perforation; the instructions aren't written that well, but it's there. If you remove that screwed-in strip that secures the carpeting, and lift up the carpeting, you *should* see some holes that are 'plugged' by square plastic plugs, with an etched-in 'X' shape to them.

What I would recommend (I am guessing you've not done this yet, or else it'd be a bit clearer, I think) is to remove the OEM wiring assembly completely before you get started. Doing that requires removal of the OEM trailer plug wire running from the OEM converter, outside the vehicle, to the OEM 4-flat plug bracket, which will show how it's routed. Then, once you install the Hopkins converter, it will exit the same way, just on the opposite side. (If you're not already, be aware that Hopkins has you installing it on the PASSENGER side, even though the OEM converter is on the DRIVER'S side. :shrug

Three notes:

1) To ground the Hopkins converter system, what I did was to remove the screws holding the rear passenger side tie-down (the ones that punch through the carpeting) and insert the ground wire beneath it, between the tie-down and the 4Runner body.

2) The bracket that mounts the OEM trailer plug onto the rear bumper will *NOT* work with the Hopkins plug. You'll need to purchase an aftermarket one. Hopkins sells one; the P/N is 48595, and any auto store (at least Auto Zone for sure) can use that # to order you one. (I doubt they'll have it in stock.) Here's the Hopkins page on it, if you want to look at it for some reason.

3) Take one screw out of the OEM bracket holding the plug to the bumper, and buy 2 screws about 1/2" longer than those. The screws that come with the Hopkins bracket are WAY too short, and I think the OEM Toyota screws are just a skosh too short as well.


If need be, I can tear apart the back end of my 4Runner and take pics if it helps - I know it was a HUGE pain in the butt the first time, but I could do it again in 30 minutes now that I've done it. LOL I'd rather do that, than know a 4Runner 'bro' flailed around for hours like I did. LOL!

 

[Pikeman]

Mine went kablooie also and just replaced today with the same Hopkins kit. Went in real easy and works great.