Hi guys, i have a 08 4runner that came with an adapter for a plug on the bottom of my bumper i think its to hook power up to a trailer hitch. I dont however have a trailer hitch. Does anyone know if the trailer hitch from toyota is a clean install? Another words does it fit into my bumper or do i need a whole piece that hangs below my bumper? Any pics would be helpful also. Thanks!
Trailer Hitch
- Thread starter FoozGrind
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Uneek
Super Moderator
See this thread. Your questions and concerns would be answered there.
In short, you have a V6 without the hitch option. You will need to either cut the bumper or replace it with one that has a cut out for the hitch either the Toyota V6 hitch or the V8 hitch. If you go aftermarket as some of us did the thread above with a HiddenHitch 70779, no modifications need to be made and it's completely reversible if you need it to be (not sure why you would, but it can be done).
In short, you have a V6 without the hitch option. You will need to either cut the bumper or replace it with one that has a cut out for the hitch either the Toyota V6 hitch or the V8 hitch. If you go aftermarket as some of us did the thread above with a HiddenHitch 70779, no modifications need to be made and it's completely reversible if you need it to be (not sure why you would, but it can be done).
Uneek, let me ask you a question about the hidden hitch. I am more than likly going to order it online and my Fiancee and i are gonna make it a saturday project, but i had a question. My runner came equiped with the wiring harness already so how does the hitch fit near it? is there a hole on the bar that the harness fits into?
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
The harness in the glovebox is for an electric trailer brake controller.
The light wire plug is different and it's under the bumper, just left of center.
The hitch has a relocation bracket for the plug. You have to follow the bundle of wires that goes into the plug about 6" back and unplug it temporarily. Once the trailer light plug is relocated onto the trailer hitch plug it back in and you're done.
In my signature click on Hidden Hitch.
:cheers:
The light wire plug is different and it's under the bumper, just left of center.
The hitch has a relocation bracket for the plug. You have to follow the bundle of wires that goes into the plug about 6" back and unplug it temporarily. Once the trailer light plug is relocated onto the trailer hitch plug it back in and you're done.
In my signature click on Hidden Hitch.
:cheers:
CJ3Flyr,
thanks that really helps me see how it is suppose to look. Let me ask you a few things... the wire i have in my glove box connects to that bracket and gives brake lights to trailers etc...(I am a 4st time SUV owner so i dont know). Secondaly i am not good with auto mechanics of vechiles but i am very handy when it comes to things around the house... would you think its a wise idea to install myself? My fiancee wants to help she isnt very good at assembling things but she can follow directions really well. Think it would be good to attempt the install ourselves? And i seen so many different sites to find the hitch from any you recommand.
Thanks a lot.
thanks that really helps me see how it is suppose to look. Let me ask you a few things... the wire i have in my glove box connects to that bracket and gives brake lights to trailers etc...(I am a 4st time SUV owner so i dont know). Secondaly i am not good with auto mechanics of vechiles but i am very handy when it comes to things around the house... would you think its a wise idea to install myself? My fiancee wants to help she isnt very good at assembling things but she can follow directions really well. Think it would be good to attempt the install ourselves? And i seen so many different sites to find the hitch from any you recommand.
Thanks a lot.
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
FoozGrind said:
A DIY install is fine and doable. The bolt above the muffler is frustrating due to limited access but be patient and you'll be fine. I would also take the spare out, it just gives you much more room to wiggle and to see things as you're positioning the hitch.
My advice is to tow once or twice and then re-torque the hitch mount bolts. After the first re-torque they should be fine for a long, long time. When I say re-torque I mean it, borrow a torque wrench from somebody. There's one or two bolts that you won't be able to use the wrench on but after tightening the other ones your arm will be 'calibrated' to the correct force
Make sure you have basic 1/2" drive metric stuff and some box/open-end wrenches.As far as sourcing the hitch goes I got mine locally and then installed it.
Sounds like a good progect for you and the future Mrs. It's important to face challenges prior to marraige to get a feel for what it'll be like:lmao:
Your glovebox wire: Does one end have a square connector and the other bare wires or is it a 7-4 adapter for the trailer connection?
:cheers:
Last edited:
CJ3Flyr
Super Moderator
FoozGrind said:
That's the one for the electric brake controller that you would use with a big trailer like a camp trailer.
This is the type of thing you'll need to adapt the plug on the T4R to a utility trailer, jet ski trailer etc. http://www.etrailer.com/pc-A~37385.htm
:cheers:
Uneek
Super Moderator
FoozGrind,
CJ3Flyr has the newer/revised version of the 70779, so more likely than not the hitch plug will be under the bumper now, located in the same area as it was originally from the factory. Where mine is located under the frame rail is a pretty dumb design on HiddenHitch's part, thus the revision.
The install is very simple. The hitch isn't very heavy, maybe 20lbs or so, but it would require some finess underneath the 4Runner to get it lined up. If you have a pair of jack stands it would help you out tremendously so you can rest the hitch on top of them and have your fiance help guide/hold it so that it doesn't slip off the jack stands.
First you'll need to remove the tie down hook on the left side, those bolts are VERY TIGHT. A rachet probably won't be enough (unless you slip a pipe into the handle to double as an extension for leverage), I used a 24" break bar to get them off. If you have access to an impact driver, it would be awesome. Then remove the wiring plug that's under the bumper, you'll most likely need to unclip the two (disconnect) plugs that are holding the wiring up along the frame rail. The last two items to be removed are the brackets that hold the bumper cover to the rear most cross member.
Now you just need to line the hitch up to the frame. I would recommend threading and getting the bolts on the passenger side frame rail in/on first, because the hitch will not go straight up due to the exhaust being in the way. Then line up the left side and tighten all six bolts that on the frame rail. I'm not sure how much it's changed, but mine had two extra bolts that used drop nuts the went into the rear most cross member. You just need to bend the tabs on those drop nuts and feed them into the access hole. Torque all eight bolts to specs, and relocate the wiring plug and you're done. The bumper cover will compress slightly, but it's very noticeable and it firms up the bumper since the two brackets have been removed. I didn't remove my spare for the install, but it would be easier.
It's a very simple install. I'm not sure where you're located, but if you're near by me, I'll help you out with it. An hour install max.
The wiring you've found in the glovebox is the brake controller pigtail harness. It allows the brake controller to tap into the 4Runner's system without the need for anything to be spliced. A popular controller that a lot of members have is made by Prodigy.
CJ3Flyr has the newer/revised version of the 70779, so more likely than not the hitch plug will be under the bumper now, located in the same area as it was originally from the factory. Where mine is located under the frame rail is a pretty dumb design on HiddenHitch's part, thus the revision.
The install is very simple. The hitch isn't very heavy, maybe 20lbs or so, but it would require some finess underneath the 4Runner to get it lined up. If you have a pair of jack stands it would help you out tremendously so you can rest the hitch on top of them and have your fiance help guide/hold it so that it doesn't slip off the jack stands.
First you'll need to remove the tie down hook on the left side, those bolts are VERY TIGHT. A rachet probably won't be enough (unless you slip a pipe into the handle to double as an extension for leverage), I used a 24" break bar to get them off. If you have access to an impact driver, it would be awesome. Then remove the wiring plug that's under the bumper, you'll most likely need to unclip the two (disconnect) plugs that are holding the wiring up along the frame rail. The last two items to be removed are the brackets that hold the bumper cover to the rear most cross member.
Now you just need to line the hitch up to the frame. I would recommend threading and getting the bolts on the passenger side frame rail in/on first, because the hitch will not go straight up due to the exhaust being in the way. Then line up the left side and tighten all six bolts that on the frame rail. I'm not sure how much it's changed, but mine had two extra bolts that used drop nuts the went into the rear most cross member. You just need to bend the tabs on those drop nuts and feed them into the access hole. Torque all eight bolts to specs, and relocate the wiring plug and you're done. The bumper cover will compress slightly, but it's very noticeable and it firms up the bumper since the two brackets have been removed. I didn't remove my spare for the install, but it would be easier.
It's a very simple install. I'm not sure where you're located, but if you're near by me, I'll help you out with it. An hour install max.
The wiring you've found in the glovebox is the brake controller pigtail harness. It allows the brake controller to tap into the 4Runner's system without the need for anything to be spliced. A popular controller that a lot of members have is made by Prodigy.
