Towing Rating

[leftyrb]

Is that "Hidden Hitch" plate above the draw bar tube part of the hitch?

Any problem relocating the 7 pin wiring harness?

Thanks

 

[SteveM]

It sure looks like a sticker on the plate!

 

[TechWrench]

70411 from hidden hitch.

Thanks.

 

[jclark]

Hey lefty, no issues at all, you have to detach the harness from the connector on the side frame rail. Then as you mount it, ensure the harness is above the tube and it fits right onto the bracket on the tube. Yes, the plate with the hidden hitch sticker on it is above the 2" receiver. It bolts into the same place the stock hitch does (lower 2 bolts on the rear cross member).

Steve, I'm going to peal that hidden hitch sticker off for sure.

Cheers

 

[leftyrb]

Mr Clark:

Thanks for the information. Looks like a rather simple install.

Can you post a photo of the factory hitch after uninstalled so I can visualize where remaining bolts are located.

Thanks

 

[SteveM]

It looks to me like there are 4 bolts holding the factory hitch to the frame. Two bolts are vertical and can be seen and removed from below without removing anything. The other two are horizontal and are installed facing forward (when looking from the rear). These two are directly behind the plastic bumper fascia and can be felt if you stick your finger in the crack directly above the receiver.

jclark - Did I miss any?

 

[silver4x419]

Torque?

How many Pounds Feet of Torque do the Hitch Bolts require?

 

[silver4x419]

Did you buy from here?

From what I have gathered the 04 Canadian V8 4Runners do not come with the 7000lb receiver. We all get the 5000lb weight carrying model, I've looked at 2 04 limited v8's and my SR5 v8 (all have the same 5000lb receiver). Further to that the manual clearly states that you should not use a weight distributing hitch in the 5000lb receiver. Probably because it's only mounted to the rear cross member. So, if you want weight distribution on your 4 runner up here in Canada, your only choice is aftermarket.

I've went down to Toyota here and they know nothing of the 7000lb WD receiver, and cannot get parts to upgrade the existing receiver. I'm going after market with a hidden hitch or something.

Probably this one: http://www.etrailer.com/productdetail.asp?partno=70411&vehicleid=2591&yearfrom=2003&h=e

Did you purchase your hitch from Etrailer? If anyone else deciddes to, ask for a discount, mention you are from a Enthuisiast Forum, they should be able to give you 5% savings or something.

About 4-5 members on another board we able to set up a discount using them and it was not a group buy.

So if anybody orders from there, when you go to check out, type in "genvibe" into the promotions/coupon box and it takes off some cash as long as it is still valid.

 

[jclark]

Steve, there are 6 bolts total. Two mount from the bottom and 4 from the facia side of the bumper. The 2 lower are fairly easy the two top bolts you'll need someone to hold the facia back while you get them out. If you look up the facia from the bottom you'll see the other two, those took the most time.

Picture of old hitch off: http://64.26.171.210/hitch/7.jpg


Silver4x, you'll need a torque wrench good to 74 ft/lbs i beleive. 62 for the front and 72 or 74 for the back (from memory). I bought my hitch locally.

 

[bluewolf]

Nice looking hitch, perfect fit! Actually, it looks identical to the one Toyota includes (at least, down here in the US). I wouldn't be surprized at all if Hidden Hitch (or Reese...same company) is the actual manufacturer of the Toyota hitch.

 

[TechWrench]

Nice looking hitch, perfect fit! Actually, it looks identical to the one Toyota includes (at least, down here in the US). I wouldn't be surprized at all if Hidden Hitch (or Reese...same company) is the actual manufacturer of the Toyota hitch.

I was thinking the same thing. I saw some pics in another forum of the unit now installed on the V8s, and it looks identical.

 

[jclark]

Yeah, it looks alot like the stock WD hitch in the states. I like it, not really any more visible than the other hitch minus the bar underneath the bumper. A heck of a lot beefier hitch, thats for sure.

 

[eddie]

i tried reading thru the whole thread and wanted to confirm something. what i gather here is i should not use an aftermarket weight distribution setup (like the ones pictured with the chains, etc) with my factory hitch that is on my 4runner?

I purchased one and have yet to mount it and test it.

 

[jclark]

Correct, the factory hitch is only for weight carrying setups. The manual talks about the hitch, read through there you will see a yellow box and it says do not use weight distribution with the factory hitch. When you see how its mounted to a rear cross-member, you'll see why. Get a new hitch if I'd say, dirt cheap really.

 

[bluewolf]

i tried reading thru the whole thread and wanted to confirm something. what i gather here is i should not use an aftermarket weight distribution setup (like the ones pictured with the chains, etc) with my factory hitch that is on my 4runner?

I purchased one and have yet to mount it and test it.

Eddie, It depends on which "factory" receiver you have. There are currently two (2) types factory-installed receivers (unless you live in Canada, apparently). Type #1 is the basic "box" hitch which is attached to a cross-member, and type #2 is a heavier frame-mounted assembly which is secured to the vehicle's frame. Only the frame-mounted version can be used with the complete weight-distributing towing setup. In every '04 V8 model, the frame-mounted hitch comes standard (again, unless you live in Canada...I guess Toyta doesn't trust Canadians with heavy trailers :dunno: )

 

[eddie]

Eddie, It depends on which "factory" receiver you have. There are currently two (2) types factory-installed receivers (unless you live in Canada, apparently). Type #1 is the basic "box" hitch which is attached to a cross-member, and type #2 is a heavier frame-mounted assembly which is secured to the vehicle's frame. Only the frame-mounted version can be used with the complete weight-distributing towing setup. In every '04 V8 model, the frame-mounted hitch comes standard (again, unless you live in Canada...I guess Toyta doesn't trust Canadians with heavy trailers :dunno: )

I am almost positive I have the frame mounted version, I dont know what the little box one looks like. So I guess I can use a weight distribution hitch then.

 

[bluewolf]

I am almost positive I have the frame mounted version, I dont know what the little box one looks like. So I guess I can use a weight distribution hitch then.

Compare yours to all of the pictures posted previously in this thread. The lighter hitch looks substantially different from the frame-mounted one.

 

[jclark]

Eddie, have a look at my post with the installed hitch. You should have a round bar that goes across the back, the hitch bolts to the side frame railes. The other hitch is just a box that is mounted right on a rear cross-member.

 

[eddie]

ah now i understand. i looked at my hitch and its not the box one. it also has the sticker that says for 'weight distribution uses' blah blah so i am getting a weight distribution hitch for sure.