tow hitch mount hardware

nquaint

nquaint

New member
does anyone know the specs on the bolts used on the tow hitch bar? I bought a tow hook and the two bolt holes on that match up with two of the holes used to mount the hitch. So I need two of the that size bolt, but like an inch or two longer to fit the tow hook.
Home depot had almost the right size but the threads didn't match up and I don't really know where else to go...
 
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I like getting hardware from Lowe's because their section has the plate mounted to the wall where you can see what type nut or bolt you need by screwing it onto the plate. They also have a better selection than Home Depot imo. The size you need will probably be grade 8 by default but if not then you should look for grade 8s since it is for a tow hitch. One thing I have learned at Lowe's is that if you can't find it, it's in the paint aisle, even if it has nothing to do with paint :confused:
 
Yep Lowes had the right size, thanks for the help.:)
Don't know if it is widely known but I think it is pretty sweet that the tow hook I bought from autozone bolted right into the two rear left hitch mount holes, so no welding required to have an aft tow point. (I removed my hitch) I'll post pics if anyone is interested.
 
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finally dropped some cash on a new camera so here ya go, bought the hook from autozone and the correct thread type of bolts from lowes. bolted right in:
IMGP0026.jpg~original
 
very nice!

What were the correct thread type of bolts? I'm selling my trailer hitch and i dont have mounting hardware for it. Thanks!
 
sn0wrunner said:
very nice!

What were the correct thread type of bolts? I'm selling my trailer hitch and i dont have mounting hardware for it. Thanks!
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don't remember off the top of my head but I might still have the package in the 4runner, I'll see if I can find it tomorrow.
 
IanB said:
And another bump, need to buy hardware to install a used OEM receiver hitch.
Click to expand...

I just put mine back on this past Sunday, otherwise I could've probably been of more help.

If you look under the truck, do you have the tow "brackets" already in place?

These bolts thread into the frame, but they will be incorporated back onto the hitch bracket, so if you have these brackets already in place, unbolt one and take the bolt into Lowes. As someone stated above, they do have a contraption hanging on the wall that you can thread it into to get the size needed. I did this a few weeks ago so i've slept since and unfortunately don't remember the exact size or thread measurement.

You should also pick up (4) aditional bolts/lockwashers/nuts for the additional mounting holes on the hitch (the outside holes per say). The factory hitches utilized a square metal washer approximately 1.5" x 2" (rectangular), that went inside of the frame, then the bolt dropped down through that, then the frame, then the mounting bracket on the hitch, and then bolt up using the lock washer and the nut.

I'll try to get some pics when I get home tonight if that helps, or you may be able to just google "hitch installation instructions" and see if you can find on online.
 
Thanks for the reply! I don't have the hitch in my hands yet, but I'm sure by looking under the truck I can figure out if the tow brackets are there or not. I also live in Canada, so we don't have Lowes stores here, just Home Depot and Rona/Revy, and I've never seen this wall mounted "nut board", although it sounds like an awesome idea!
 
The hitch that Ian is getting doesn't have separate brackets. The "brackets" are integrated into the hitch itself. The whole thing mounts to the bottom of the frame rails with a total of 8 bolts. The 2 rearward most bolts on each side are inserted from the underside, pass through holes in the hitch and thread into nuts that have been welded into the inside of the frame. The forward most 2 bolts on each side also insert from the underside, and they pass through holes in the hitch and the bottom of the frame, but there are not any nuts for these welded into the inside of the frame. There are 2 separate long thin pieces of metal (about 1" wide and 12" long) that have 2 nuts welded onto them. These pieces are placed inside the frame rails so that the forward 2 bolts on each side can be threaded into their welded on nuts.

Hope this helps.
 
Bandit Runner said:
The hitch that Ian is getting doesn't have separate brackets. The "brackets" are integrated into the hitch itself. The whole thing mounts to the bottom of the frame rails with a total of 8 bolts. The 2 rearward most bolts on each side are inserted from the underside, pass through holes in the hitch and thread into nuts that have been welded into the inside of the frame. The forward most 2 bolts on each side also insert from the underside, and they pass through holes in the hitch and the bottom of the frame, but there are not any nuts for these welded into the inside of the frame. There are 2 separate long thin pieces of metal (about 1" wide and 12" long) that have 2 nuts welded onto them. These pieces are placed inside the frame rails so that the forward 2 bolts on each side can be threaded into their welded on nuts.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

That's a big help actually, thanks!
 
IanB said:
That's a big help actually, thanks!
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Yeah thats different then mine, so not sure if the bolts would even match up or not. I did just find a bag of 12mm washers that I bought, that I know match up with my factory bolt, so maybe yours are 12 mm bolts also, but I don't remember what thread size it was. I do know mine is on the "wide thread" end of the spectrum, its not a "fine thread".

Sounds like hopefully you'll simply be able to take that 12" piece into the store and find the proper bolt that fits into though.
 
THEREALTOR1 said:
Yeah thats different then mine, so not sure if the bolts would even match up or not. I did just find a bag of 12mm washers that I bought, that I know match up with my factory bolt, so maybe yours are 12 mm bolts also, but I don't remember what thread size it was. I do know mine is on the "wide thread" end of the spectrum, its not a "fine thread".

Sounds like hopefully you'll simply be able to take that 12" piece into the store and find the proper bolt that fits into though.
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Well, if you know what diameter it is, I can tell you what thread it is, because the factory bolt is .25 finer that what comes in the tap set I have. It's a hard-to-find fine thread.
 
OK, so only 1 of the 8 bolts didn't need cutting when I took my hitch off, and luckily I still had it. Brought it to work today and checked it with a thread gage.

The bolts are: M12 x 1.25 pitch x 35mm long. They have an "8" stamped onto them, which I assume means grade 8 (or grade 10.9 in the metric system).

Hardware stores and home improvement stores won't usually have these. I have gone to Fastenal to get them before. Here's a link: | Fastenal

For the long pieces with the nuts welded onto them, you could either make your own, or maybe find some at a junk yard. Or you could try the dealership. Or maybe a place that sells and installs aftermarket hitches would have some. You could just use standard 1/2 inch bolts and nuts (grade 8) for the forward most ones, since you will be supplying your own nuts anyway.

Good luck.

PS Did you pick up your hitch yet?
 
Bandit Runner said:
OK, so only 1 of the 8 bolts didn't need cutting when I took my hitch off, and luckily I still had it. Brought it to work today and checked it with a thread gage.

The bolts are: M12 x 1.25 pitch x 35mm long. They have an "8" stamped onto them, which I assume means grade 8 (or grade 10.9 in the metric system).

Hardware stores and home improvement stores won't usually have these. I have gone to Fastenal to get them before. Here's a link: | Fastenal

For the long pieces with the nuts welded onto them, you could either make your own, or maybe find some at a junk yard. Or you could try the dealership. Or maybe a place that sells and installs aftermarket hitches would have some. You could just use standard 1/2 inch bolts and nuts (grade 8) for the forward most ones, since you will be supplying your own nuts anyway.

Good luck.

PS Did you pick up your hitch yet?
Click to expand...

I'm going to pick it up on Friday after work, I've got a bunch of stuff sitting at the border waiting for me!
 
tow hitch

You will be able to use the nut and washers from the hook when you remove them. However, you may need quite the breaker bar to get them started.

As to new bolts and the "tounge" nuts, go to a U-haul store that installs hitches, and buy them there.
 
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