OEM hitch part?!?

[seh750]

Just bought a new 2006 SE V8 4WD last week. When putting together the hitch so I can go to the track in a couple of days (SV650, for those of you into motorcycles) I found a part with the hitch that I cannot figure out.

Ok, so there's the hitch itself. It's black. In a separate bag there were three parts in a bronzy color. One is the hitch pin, number 2 is the R-clip to keep the hitch pin in place. Number three is a cylinder about an inch in diameter and about a half inch tall. Maybe 1/16" think. Any clue what the heck this extra piece is?

Thanks!

 

[Falls]

It's for the shaft of the ball to take up excess space if needed.

 

[seh750]

It's for the shaft of the ball to take up excess space if needed.

I wondered that...but it's quite a bit narrower than the hole for the ball. I found a ball with a shaft that fit perfectly, so guess I don't need it.

Thanks!

 

[ovrrdrive]

Make sure you hold on to those parts... They're like gold.

We bought our 4runner used and the previous owner left the hitch under the seat but took the pin and adapter with him.

I had read on here where an aftermarket hitch would hit the spare tire so I kept looking for a 1 1/4" shank ball or the adapter and had a hell of a time finding either. I finally found the 1 1/4" shank ball at a towing shop here, the 5th one I went to. I was just about ready to buy a reese hitch and have it modified if necesarry.

 

[Koz]

The hitch adapter has a 1 1/4" bore/hole. Most balls have a 1" diameter threaded shaft. The bushing/spacer allows you to use a 1" shaft ball. Just remember to get a ball that is rated to match the tow rating of your vehicle. 5K lbs. for the V6, 7K lbs. for V8 4X4 and 7.3K lbs. for V8 4X2. I personally have a stainless ball rated for 10K lbs. Make sure you only have it installed when in use other wise don't get pissed when it disappears.

Koz

 

[hossmaster]

Yea I just got a big washer for the top and bottom of the reciever since that hole is extremely large. Or I just pull the spare out and put in the one from my truck.

 

[seh750]

Make sure you hold on to those parts... They're like gold.

We bought our 4runner used and the previous owner left the hitch under the seat but took the pin and adapter with him.

I had read on here where an aftermarket hitch would hit the spare tire so I kept looking for a 1 1/4" shank ball or the adapter and had a hell of a time finding either. I finally found the 1 1/4" shank ball at a towing shop here, the 5th one I went to. I was just about ready to buy a reese hitch and have it modified if necesarry.

I guess I lucked out, the very first ball I picked up to look at at the local NAPA was a 2" ball, 1 1/4" shank, 7500 pound capacity...exactly what I needed.

 

[Koz]

Yea I just got a big washer for the top and bottom of the reciever since that hole is extremely large. Or I just pull the spare out and put in the one from my truck.

Washers will not be very good if you have to tow. As soon as you start to tow it will start moving back and forth and start to come apart. You must use the bushing or get the right sized ball.

Koz

 

[hossmaster]

Washers will not be very good if you have to tow. As soon as you start to tow it will start moving back and forth and start to come apart. You must use the bushing or get the right sized ball.

Koz

Of course I use the bushing with that reciever. But most cases, I need a taller reciever so I just pull out the spare.

 

[Bill42]

Ok, so I have a V-8 and I see the way the hitch is supposed to be on a V-8. I would like to know the difference. Is it simply height related?

Also, at our local store I got a 2" ball to tow a little trailer for some work I am doing. I used the bronze ring that fits in the hitch's hole and then put the ball threads through it. Only problem was even when ratched as tight as possible the ball would still spin - mind you, the nut was not coming off of the threads. Is that correct or is that bad?

They thought is was bad that it spun and ended up lending me their hitch with a ball - tightly threaded and not spinning.

If the ball is not supposed to spin around then do I need a wider threaded portion with the 2" ball?

Thanks...

 

[ovrrdrive]

I've seen that problem mentioned several times around here...

The bushing is just a little too long and it keeps the nut from tighening up on the receiver hitch. Either get a grinder and grind the bushing down a little or get a ball with a 1 1/4" shank that will fit the hole correctly without the use of the bushing.

It took some legwork, but I found a ball with the 1 1/4" shank and it's a good fit. Of course I had to use Channel Locks to tighten it up because I didn't have a socket that big. :bonk:

Personally I wouldn't use it if I couldn't tighten the nut to the receiver... But I think some around here do.

 

[Bill42]

Thank you...