Removing old factory hitch

[BigK75]

Hey folks:

I have 05 4Runner V8. I want to remove the factory hitch and put in the hidden hitch. I took off the first two bolts no problem. I noticed there are two more bolts but the are hidden a bit by the bumper. Any ideas on the easiest way to take this off.

Claude

 

[K.C.]

Hey folks:

I have 05 4Runner V8. I want to remove the factory hitch and put in the hidden hitch. I took off the first two bolts no problem. I noticed there are two more bolts but the are hidden a bit by the bumper. Any ideas on the easiest way to take this off.

Claude

Did you try using a ratcheting wrench?

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Hey folks:

I have 05 4Runner V8. I want to remove the factory hitch and put in the hidden hitch. I took off the first two bolts no problem. I noticed there are two more bolts but the are hidden a bit by the bumper. Any ideas on the easiest way to take this off.

Claude

Just curious, why

 

[BigK75]

Just curious, why

Because I am buying a 21 foot trailer which has a weight distributing hitch. The 4runner hitch is not recommended for WDH therefore you need to buy the aftermarket one.

I chose the hidden hitch because it has 7000K limit with WDH and you never if you will need it.

Claude

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Ah, I thought the V8 hitches had the higher rating... I guess it's a model year thing.

I have the Hidden Hitch and it works great:bigok:
:cheers:

 

[BigK75]

Ah, I thought the V8 hitches had the higher rating... I guess it's a model year thing.

I have the Hidden Hitch and it works great:bigok:
:cheers:

The V8 do have a higher rating, but only with an aftermarket hitch.

Claude

 

[CJ3Flyr]

The V8 do have a higher rating, but only with an aftermarket hitch.

Claude

Oh. I had it that the "500/5000 only" hitches were recessed higher up and had the notch out of the bumper. The Toyota V8 (higher rating) hitches were the ones that hung down just below the bumper like our Hidden Hitches.

 

[Uneek]

I think you need to remove the bumper facsia.

 

[jetboy1975]

It's difficult to get at but you can do it without removing the fascia. If I remember correctly the hitch has 6 bolts. Get a racheting box wrench and just pry the bumper cover back a bit and wedge something to hold it out. I used a piece of 2x2.

 

[offshorebear]

Strange, I thought all 2004+ V8's came with a WDH. Mine did.