Replacement Tow Hitch?

[Road Bull]

Hey all,

So I will be picking my 4runner up from the auto body shop tomorrow. It has been there about a week and a day to deal with this.>>>http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-gen-t4rs/196568-road-bulls-2002-sr-5-timeline-2.html#post2038433

I have not seen it yet, but the back hatch, and rear bumper, (all OEM), have been replaced. Some minor body damage corrected and painted, but the tow hitch that was sent as a replacement to the auto body shop was the wrong fit. The auto body place said that they were having a hard time getting an OEM replacement. They said that they would clean up my old hitch and keep it on there for now and offered to order whatever, or have the insurance company cover a replacement if I wanted.

I don't tow, or necessarily see myself towing real soon, but I figure that I like the idea of a little added protection for other idiots that want to become one with my 4runner.

Would you suggest an aftermarket hitch that you have had experience with? Or would you just slap something you find at a pick and pull on there?

 

[7echo]

If the old hitch isn't structurally damaged I would have them paint it and bank the money. From the pics in the other thread it looks fine, though it could have damage to the mounting bolts in the frame.

If you change it you might consider going with the one that the receiver bar is bolted to the parts that then bolt to the frame. (if that makes sense?) Then, if you lift it you can flip that bar and get the receiver up higher. Just an option to consider.

 

[Supermoney]

Agree with 7echo, the one in the pics still looks fine.

I find it hard to believe that the shop can't find another. I see them on almost every 4Runner at the scrap yard (most body shops / insurance adjusters look for used parts first).

 

[gamefreakgc]

4Runners in any decent shape are extremely hard to find here on the west coast at any junk yard. That's probably why the shop is having issues. The only 4Runners I've ever seen in a yard were blasted to pieces.

But yeah, have them put the old one back in at use that $200 or so for a shiny new part or upgrade for your 4Runner!

 

[Road Bull]

I got my runner back this morning. Hitch seems fine to me, but I need to take a closet look at my hatch. There seems to be more of a gap between my right rear tail light as opposed to the left rear tail light. That, and now my hatch doesn't just raise up on its own when opened. The hydraulic arms used to be smooth and strong. Now they stick and need help to open fully.:mad2:

 

[7echo]

I got my runner back this morning. Hitch seems fine to me, but I need to take a closet look at my hatch. There seems to be more of a gap between my right rear tail light as opposed to the left rear tail light. That, and now my hatch doesn't just raise up on its own when opened. The hydraulic arms used to be smooth and strong. Now they stick and need help to open fully.:mad2:

Check to see if they used OEM struts. Some of the aftermarkets ones can't manage the weight of the gate.

 

[Road Bull]

Check to see if they used OEM struts. Some of the aftermarkets ones can't manage the weight of the gate.

They looks like the reused my previous struts. Although, when I went there this morning, the hatch didn't replicate the same issue. That's typical taking it to a car place stuff though... They look at you, like, "what are you talking about again". But the bigger issue is seems to be things don't appear even as far as how the hatch lines up with the quarter panels. On the driver's side, there is little gap and all the curves line up near the bottom of the hatch. The passenger side has a larger gap between the lights and the hatch, and the curves that should match going from the rear quarter panel to the hatch don't line up. I imagine that the quarter panel may be out of wack. I hope its not the hatch. That seems like big drama. It bugs me. Funny because my rig's name is "Dingbat" due to all the little dings that the PO left me. They are all very small, but this repair somehow bothers me more. LOL.

I just want it done correctly. Its one thing if I mess up my rig, It is a whole other thing if someone else jacks my rig up.

 

[bama16]

the hinges up top allow for adjustment...is the gap across the top (roof) even? i would imagine it's now\t and the bolts can be moved within the oblong holes in the hinge. if not, something else is messed up.

 

[Road Bull]

the hinges up top allow for adjustment...is the gap across the top (roof) even? i would imagine it's now\t and the bolts can be moved within the oblong holes in the hinge. if not, something else is messed up.

It looks like my runner is going back on Wednesday to see if they can fix it. I image that the quarter panel is off a bit. I noticed a contact point that was missing some paint behind the bumper on the body.