installed trailer hitch receiver today

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Courtesy of Mike Hoffman (mike1305)

So I painted it and all, installed it, and looked at how goofy it looked. I also put my spare back on since it's no longer so visible.

Since there now was a straight bar underneath my chrome bumper, I realized how badly the previous owner really messed it up. Some closer investigation, she actually hit the bumper from the bottom (wtF?)

So I went on eBay and found the center piece for about 100. Is this a good quality piece?

link




here's my bumper compared to an undamaged bumper

notice the excessive gap between the hitch and bumper on mine versus my friend davids?

 

[broncosi]

i don't think it looks that bad. i agree, it would look better if you replaced that center piece. The auction went down though so i couldn't see it.

 

[Elton H]

the bumper being bent makes it look a little worse

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Is it possible that there were different kinds of factory hitches?

Every 4runner I see in the south has a Reese hitch and in my opinion they look a lot better than the others I see on 4runners.

 

[juiceboxer]

I agree with Clemson, if you look closely at your hitch there seems to be two bolts one on each end. My factory hitch does not have those, nor does the other photo you posted of your friends truck.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

I agree with Clemson, if you look closely at your hitch there seems to be two bolts one on each end. My factory hitch does not have those, nor does the other photo you posted of your friends truck.

oh! god damn.

haha oh well I guess I'm down to use this one until I get another...

So yours is welded at either end?

 

[Clemsonfan15]

Here is what mine looks like. It sits less than 1/4" from the bumper:

 

[pbcolt]

I was going to make a new thread but this works out better. I wondering if anyone had a trailer hitch (preferably the factory one) that they never use and would be willing to part with. Moving between SLO and SD twice a year would be a lot easier if I could attach a trailer. PM me please. I will pick up anywhere between SD and SLO.

 

[kellogg]

what are you going to tow?

 

[pbcolt]

Uhaul with my extra stuff and maybe one day soon an sv650s.
Also have a bike rack but nowhere to attach it, so that would get use.

 

[juiceboxer]

Yes mine is welded at both ends

 

[TheDurk]

Children, mine is factory installed and identical to your friend David's. (I literally SAW my truck being unloaded from the factory ten years ago because I stopped in to complain about the delay in delivery of my promised '99 5-spd. Salesman laughed and took me out to the truck being unloaded. I signed the papers before the tires hit the ground.) Mine looks as tight as his, but it took a lot of work to get it that way after I had both bumper and hitch off. My e-Bay replacement chrome started rusting inside out after one winter. I strongly recommend bedcoat or something on the inside when you install unless salt is 100% unknown in your life.

 

[ChildrenOfBodom]

Children, mine is factory installed and identical to your friend David's. (I literally SAW my truck being unloaded from the factory ten years ago because I stopped in to complain about the delay in delivery of my promised '99 5-spd. Salesman laughed and took me out to the truck being unloaded. I signed the papers before the tires hit the ground.) Mine looks as tight as his, but it took a lot of work to get it that way after I had both bumper and hitch off. My e-Bay replacement chrome started rusting inside out after one winter. I strongly recommend bedcoat or something on the inside when you install unless salt is 100% unknown in your life.

oh yeah? haha that's an awesome story.

I have never even seen snow in my life. haha, I think that's grounds for go for it.

Thanks man, I appreciate your reply. You've sealed my decision.