V8 to V6 Trailer Hitch Conversion

[ben550]

I have a V8 hitch I plan on removing. I would like to replace it with the V6 baby hitch.

I understand that the mounting bolts can be reused.

First off is this possible? I believe you'd have to remove the bumper cover to access the bolts. I would imagine the frame is already pre-drilled.

My reasoning is:

1. I don't do any real towing. No need for 7000lb towing capacity
2. V8 Hitch sits lower. I prefer more ground clearance.
3. Rust will be taking my V8 Hitch off to recondition regardless due to rust and difficult access.


If anyone has a V6 hitch laying around or wants to swap. PM me.

If anyone would like a V8 Hitch (once I get a V6 hitch) PM me.


Thanks.

 

[03v8raleigh]

I have a V8 hitch I plan on removing. I would like to replace it with the V6 baby hitch.

I understand that the mounting bolts can be reused.

First off is this possible? I believe you'd have to remove the bumper cover to access the bolts. I would imagine the frame is already pre-drilled.

My reasoning is:

1. I don't do any real towing. No need for 7000lb towing capacity
2. V8 Hitch sits lower. I prefer more ground clearance.
3. Rust will be taking my V8 Hitch off to recondition regardless due to rust and difficult access.


If anyone has a V6 hitch laying around or wants to swap. PM me.

If anyone would like a V8 Hitch (once I get a V6 hitch) PM me.


Thanks.

Where are you located? I can't imagine that shipping it is very cheap.. but I would like it. My 03 V8 came from the factory with the v6 one, and it is too short to allow my motorcycle carrier to fit fully into it before hitting the spare tire. I would definitely trade you.

 

[baowow]

If you're near to Chicago, maybe we can work a trade if Raleigh above me doesn't work out for you. Let me know.

 

[TechWrench]

I have a V8 hitch I plan on removing. I would like to replace it with the V6 baby hitch.

I understand that the mounting bolts can be reused.

First off is this possible? I believe you'd have to remove the bumper cover to access the bolts. I would imagine the frame is already pre-drilled.

My reasoning is:

1. I don't do any real towing. No need for 7000lb towing capacity
2. V8 Hitch sits lower. I prefer more ground clearance.
3. Rust will be taking my V8 Hitch off to recondition regardless due to rust and difficult access.


If anyone has a V6 hitch laying around or wants to swap. PM me.

If anyone would like a V8 Hitch (once I get a V6 hitch) PM me.


Thanks.

Want you want to do will work, with a few issues. On both my '03s, I went the other way (V6 hitch to a HD frame mounted hitch. I have read of one individual that said he was able to remove the V6 hitch without removing the bumper cover, but it was a struggle. I am pretty sure you will have to remove it to install the V6 hitch. As for the bolts, I am not sure the ones from the V8 frame mounted hitch will work with the V6. The cross member that the V6 hitch mounts to should have the 6 holes with the threaded nuts welded inside the holes, but not sure if the threads are the same size.

Also, I believe you will have to trim the opening in the bumper cover to accommodate the higher position that the hitch opening for the V6 hitch needs.

Other than those possible issues, it should work.

 

[TechWrench]

Where are you located? I can't imagine that shipping it is very cheap.. but I would like it. My 03 V8 came from the factory with the v6 one, and it is too short to allow my motorcycle carrier to fit fully into it before hitting the spare tire. I would definitely trade you.

BE aware that even with the V8 hitch, it still doesn't move the receiver hole low enough to clear the spare. You may gain a little extra space, but not much.

 

[kevinpt]

Want you want to do will work, with a few issues. On both my '03s, I went the other way (V6 hitch to a HD frame mounted hitch. I have read of one individual that said he was able to remove the V6 hitch without removing the bumper cover, but it was a struggle. I am pretty sure you will have to remove it to install the V6 hitch. As for the bolts, I am not sure the ones from the V8 frame mounted hitch will work with the V6. The cross member that the V6 hitch mounts to should have the 6 holes with the threaded nuts welded inside the holes, but not sure if the threads are the same size.

Also, I believe you will have to trim the opening in the bumper cover to accommodate the higher position that the hitch opening for the V6 hitch needs.

Other than those possible issues, it should work.

oem v8 hitch uses v6 mounting location and the frame. non oem v8 hitch only uses frame

 

[03v8raleigh]

BE aware that even with the V8 hitch, it still doesn't move the receiver hole low enough to clear the spare. You may gain a little extra space, but not much.

I'm not expecting it to be *lower* than the spare tire, but it is supposed to *protrude farther out* away from the spare/rear of the vehicle, in order to accommodate a more full insertion of a hitch mount. From what I have read, only these original production V6 hitches had this problem. All future ones protruded farther out to allow more use.

What trailer hitch receivers did you install on your 03's to replace the v6 ones?
I am considering buying a Curt or Drawtie aftermarket hitch, but I like how the Toyota V8 hitch mounts to the center of frame and the frame rails, where as the aftermarket ones only mount to the frame rails. Plus, the aftermarket ones all seem to be rated only 6000lb, where as the Toyota ones can carry 7300. I am just having trouble sourcing a Toyota V8 hitch.

 

[kevinpt]

I'm not expecting it to be *lower* than the spare tire, but it is supposed to *protrude farther out* away from the spare/rear of the vehicle, in order to accommodate a more full insertion of a hitch mount. From what I have read, only these original production V6 hitches had this problem. All future ones protruded farther out to allow more use.

What trailer hitch receivers did you install on your 03's to replace the v6 ones?
I am considering buying a Curt or Drawtie aftermarket hitch, but I like how the Toyota V8 hitch mounts to the center of frame and the frame rails, where as the aftermarket ones only mount to the frame rails. Plus, the aftermarket ones all seem to be rated only 6000lb, where as the Toyota ones can carry 7300. I am just having trouble sourcing a Toyota V8 hitch.

from toyota the whole parts list is around 400 new

 

[TechWrench]

oem v8 hitch uses v6 mounting location and the frame. non oem v8 hitch only uses frame

I wasn't aware of that. I have only seen the V6 hitch, which came installed from factory on both my V6 and early V8 '03s. I installed aftermarket frame hitches on both, which only mount to side frame rails.

 

[TechWrench]

I'm not expecting it to be *lower* than the spare tire, but it is supposed to *protrude farther out* away from the spare/rear of the vehicle, in order to accommodate a more full insertion of a hitch mount. From what I have read, only these original production V6 hitches had this problem. All future ones protruded farther out to allow more use.

What trailer hitch receivers did you install on your 03's to replace the v6 ones?
I am considering buying a Curt or Drawtie aftermarket hitch, but I like how the Toyota V8 hitch mounts to the center of frame and the frame rails, where as the aftermarket ones only mount to the frame rails. Plus, the aftermarket ones all seem to be rated only 6000lb, where as the Toyota ones can carry 7300. I am just having trouble sourcing a Toyota V8 hitch.

I have not had any serious issues with any of the ball mounts I use for the various trailers I haul, but I do check any ball mount or hitch mounted device for fitment first, before I buy it. (The early V6 hitches did have a problem with the square tube being a bit undersized, and not all ball mounts or hitch mounted accessories fit in it easily). I make sure the spare is as fully forward in the hanger position, to give as much clearance as possible. Also, the extra length that protrudes out the back of the hitch tube doesn't do much, if anything to support device, so I have heard of others who have trimmed the excess length to get a better fit, and had no ill effects.

I used a Valley hitch on my first conversion of the original '03 V6, and a Draw tight unit for the early '03 V8 upgrade. Both were rated for 7,500 at the time I bought them from etrailer. I am not sure what is on the market now, but the draw tight was purchased only 3-4 years ago. If you do some searching on this issue, you will find that many of the 'different' brands listed for sale are actually made by one parent company.

 

[Streams]

Any update on the swap? I am looking into putting a V8 hitch on my 2008 V6 for better stability. Do you know if it bolts right up? Any issues or trimming needed? Can anyone share pics of mounting points on the V8 hitch? Thanks!

 

[dagen]

I have a V8 hitch I plan on removing. I would like to replace it with the V6 baby hitch.

I understand that the mounting bolts can be reused.

First off is this possible? I believe you'd have to remove the bumper cover to access the bolts. I would imagine the frame is already pre-drilled.

My reasoning is:

1. I don't do any real towing. No need for 7000lb towing capacity
2. V8 Hitch sits lower. I prefer more ground clearance.
3. Rust will be taking my V8 Hitch off to recondition regardless due to rust and difficult access.


If anyone has a V6 hitch laying around or wants to swap. PM me.

If anyone would like a V8 Hitch (once I get a V6 hitch) PM me.


Thanks.

PM'ed you.

 

[MSRP.]

If the v8 hitch is still available, I'll take it
Have a non-7,000lbs hitch to swap


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