Tow Hitch Replacement Nightmare

A

afsu

New member
03/04 4Runner
For all of you contemplating replacing the 5000 lb hitch with the factory 7000 lb hitch, I HIGHLY recommend you don't DIY. If the dealer charges you $150 to replace the hitch, go for it and laugh at the poor bastard that gets stuck doing the job. I'm a die hard DIYer, but this project was a total pain. The bolts to remove and replace the hitches are unbelievably inaccessible.

Here are the part numbers so you can tell the dealer what to order:

PT228-89440 Hitch
08925-35850 Center Bracket

And yes, you need to order both of these parts.

Enjoy.
 
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You are my hero!

AFSU,

You do not know what I've been through trying to get those part numbers. I've been on the phone (from Germany) with Toyota USA all afternoon trying to get them to give me that info. They stated that becuase my 4R wasn't currently in the states my VIN couldn't be looked up thus they couldn't give me the info. How crappy is that!!

Anyway, check out this thread for my background issue and please post a photo so I can verify this is what I think it is. Thanks again!

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=3830
 
What you have is the center bracket, which is the nearly impossible part to install - so you're home free. You need the part I mentioned, PT228-89440. This part # includes the bracket to hold the 7 wire harness - which I assume came with your 4R.

Concelli (partznet.com) ordered these parts no problem - but I don't know if they ship international.

Good luck.
 
Look's promising

Could you email or post some pictures of your setup? I also tried looking up the part numbers you gave me and partznet.com doesn't show them...even though obviously they can get them. Please email the photos to [email protected]

Thanks
 
PARTZNET.COM SAYS "NO!"

Afsu,

Thanks for the info, according to Partznet.com, they are valid part numbers, but because I'm in the military stationed overseas, they will not ship the item to me. Even though I acknowledged the fact that I would pay all shipping and insurance costs, they refused. They said that it was "not in the their financial interests" to support my request...WTF?

Do they think it is in my "family's interests" to spend 90 to 180 days or more at a time in hostile nations protecting their feedom so they can screw me? Ultimately I'd have to say "yes" because I love what I do and I believe it makes a difference to those back in the states, but I'm still pissed. I can't believe them. I'm accepting all of the risk...all he has to do is accept my money!

Well, I will never purchase from that company and I will ensure my military family does the same.
 
BR1CK,
As long as I can send the hitch to a non-APO address, I'll buy it for you and send it to you, as long as you Paypal reimburse me.

PM me and we'll work out the details.
 
Thanks

Afsu,

I've forwarded the part numbers to the company in Germany that is working this issue with Toyota on my behalf, so hopefully they will have better luck than I did. If not I may take you up on that offer...don't worry, I'd pay you before you ordered and shipped the parts.
 
Do you have the instructions for this install? If so, could you send them to me via email or post scanned pictures?

I got my hitch today and I'm ready to install, but I'd prefer to do it correctly!

Thanks!
 
afsu said:
03/04 4Runner
For all of you contemplating replacing the 5000 lb hitch with the factory 7000 lb hitch, I HIGHLY recommend you don't DIY. If the dealer charges you $150 to replace the hitch, go for it and laugh at the poor bastard that gets stuck doing the job. I'm a die hard DIYer, but this project was a total pain. The bolts to remove and replace the hitches are unbelievably inaccessible.

Here are the part numbers so you can tell the dealer what to order:

PT228-89440 Hitch
08925-35850 Center Bracket

And yes, you need to order both of these parts.

Enjoy.
Click to expand...

$150 to install.....What does the hitch itself cost?
 
Ok, I have the old "5,000 pound capacity" receiver on my 03' and I was looking at how it is setup vs. the new "7,000 pound capacity" receiver. I am not sure I understand why the new one gives you an extra 2,000 pounds???? The one I have is a receiver mounted to a cross member, which is mounted to the frame. The newer one is all one piece that is mounted to the frame. Seems all the weight is still being carried in the same place on the vehicle for a standard tow set up (without stabilizers or weight distribution rigs). Can anyone explain the difference between the two receivers on the 2003 4Runners?
 
The mount location

HuntRunner said:
Ok, I have the old "5,000 pound capacity" receiver on my 03' and I was looking at how it is setup vs. the new "7,000 pound capacity" receiver. I am not sure I understand why the new one gives you an extra 2,000 pounds???? The one I have is a receiver mounted to a cross member, which is mounted to the frame. The newer one is all one piece that is mounted to the frame. Seems all the weight is still being carried in the same place on the vehicle for a standard tow set up (without stabilizers or weight distribution rigs). Can anyone explain the difference between the two receivers on the 2003 4Runners?
Click to expand...

I believe that the 5000 lb capacity receiver is mounted ONLY to the center of the truch rear crossmember.
The 7000 lb capacity receiver is a much larger unit, and distributes the weight to the truck side frames directly as well.

I think the rear crossmember can only handle 5000 lbs. I looked under mine and it is a small hitch. It looks like two bolts to the crossmember and that's it.
 

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Ok , good to know

rensho said:
4 bolts actually. 2 are behind the bumper cover going towards the front.
Click to expand...

I have a banged up knee this past week and couldn't get under to take a good picture:) . I had to hold the camera upside down and took a few before settling on one.
 
Upgrading hitch on 03 4Runner

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum, although I've been reading it for a couple of months now and am very impressed by the entusiasm and knowledge displayed by all the members here.

I just purchased an 03 4Runner which has the small 5K Lbs rated hitch. I asked my dealer if they could upgra it to the bigger 7K Lbs rated one. Well, it hasn't been easy. But to make a long story short, they claim that the 7K Lbs rated hitch will only fit 04 4Runners or newer. Is this right? I asked them to use the parts listed at the beggining of this thread:
PT228-89440 Hitch
08925-35850 Center Bracket

Basically the dealer tells me that they might be able to make it work but that they called Toyota and they claimed it will only work on 04 and newer. That they could try to make it fit but if it does not work they'll have to charge me for the labor anyway. Any suggestions? Should I try another dealer?

Thank you,
 
Steve,

Buy the Weight Distributing Hidden Hitch, part no. 70411m max wieght 7500#. You can get it for around $170 delivered. Looks just like the Toyota one, but the plug location is more convienant.

Should take approx. 90 min to install.....read my post on how to get the back bolts/plates aligned.

Good luck,

Dave

-----------------
2003 4Runner LTD, Nav, Air Suspension, Hidden Hitch, Prodigy Brake Controller
 
I started a thread a while back when I installed mine. I installed the 70411 and RickyCRX figured out how to install this way easier than the way I did it. Check it out HERE
 
You guys are awesome. Thanks a lot. I had spent a few hours trying to find an alternative hitch but could not find anything rated over 6K Lbs., which leads me to a couple of questions. If you search online you find mostly the hidden hitch HH70779s. Even the hidden hitch web site has no info about the 70411. Is this a discontinued hitch?

The only place I've been able to find full info on 70411 was this: http://www.actiontrucks.com/pdf/hitches1.pdf

That guide mentions a recommended wiring kit. Is that useful?

Thanks again to all,
 
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