would like to do the 'hitch flip' but don't have the right hitch

[masphx]

I have the solid weld oem hitch. I would remove it but I leave it on as it takes on the rocks instead of my bumper. I would like to gain a few inches clearance via the hitch flip but can't. Can someone give me guidance on what hitch choices I have if I can't use this one? I know there is a (maybe oem) hitch with bolts that people to the flip with. Or is it just better to buy a low profile hitch? Mainly just need it as armor as I don't tow.

Thanks for the advice,

Mason

 

[MTD]

If you are wanting to utilize it as armor then you dont want to do the hitch flip that will leave your bumper exposed. I have never heard of the hitch flip before this but I don't think it is a good Idea for what you want to do. just my .02

 

[shootmymime]

I have the solid weld oem hitch. I would remove it but I leave it on as it takes on the rocks instead of my bumper. I would like to gain a few inches clearance via the hitch flip but can't. Can someone give me guidance on what hitch choices I have if I can't use this one? I know there is a (maybe oem) hitch with bolts that people to the flip with. Or is it just better to buy a low profile hitch? Mainly just need it as armor as I don't tow.

Thanks for the advice,

Mason

If you are wanting to utilize it as armor then you dont want to do the hitch flip that will leave your bumper exposed. I have never heard of the hitch flip before this but I don't think it is a good Idea for what you want to do. just my .02

your correct, the welded one will not flip. its got side fins that lay on the bottom of the frame rail then when you try to flip it, it will not align.

the hitch you want has 3 bolts on the side of the arms that attach it to the frame. ill look for a pic.
see the nuts on the ends where the side to side part connects to the forwards and back rails?

 

[GhostRing]

I may be wrong, but look for pre-'99 hitches - they will be the bolt together design.

 

[TheArkMaster]

Just get a rear bumper imp:

 

[DeathCougar]

I may be wrong, but look for pre-'99 hitches - they will be the bolt together design.

I have a 1996 AND a 1998 in my driveway with weld together hitches. And I have parted a 1999 AND a 2000 with bolted hitches.

I am not sure what Toyota's rhyme or reason for the bolt vs welded hitch was (my best educated guess so far is Dealer vs. Factory hitch) so OP, be sure if you find one have them send you pictures or at least verify that it bolts together instead of being one solid welded piece. I would sell you one but I have 6 welded hitches and zero bolted hitches!

 

[Thenatoriousbig]

From everything I've read only the bolt-together hitch can be flipped - but what is the reason?

I have a metal fabrication shop working on my 4runner. Could they just break the weld, flip the hitch, and reweld?? A bit more work but still doable.

Or is there a geometric reason the hitch flip won't work with the welded bumper?

 

[reelamin]

Or is there a geometric reason the hitch flip won't work with the welded bumper?[/QUOTE]

The bolt together allows the exact same thing your talking about doing. If you want to with this hitch cut it loose, flip it, re-weld it back on. If you put a 1" body lift on it fits perfectly under the bumper without cutting anything out. Just bend the safety chain hoops down nothing else needed to be done. Paint the new to keep rust down and when coating will flake off when you bend the hoops.

Then again for less than the cost and effort you mentioned....get a bolt together from a wrecking yard!

 

[Thenatoriousbig]

Thanks reelamin. I saw you recently flipped your hitch and it turned out nice.

Last summer we dug our hitch several times pulling a teardrop trailer offroad. Those rollers got us everytime. The trailer got the offroad package install this winter - and now we need to raise the 4runner hitch height to match.

I'm confident the shop that is already doing my trailer work will be able to make easy work of this hitch flip -as long as there was not another reason it couldn't be done. From what I've seen though the geometry appears the same.

I'm keeping my eyes open for a junkyard bolt together though too!

 

[Thenatoriousbig]

 

[T4R2014]

A new single piece hitch is like what? 100? And you don't need to hack up your bumper.

 

[Thenatoriousbig]

A new single piece hitch is like what? 100? And you don't need to hack up your bumper.

It definitely would not be a hack job, but I see your point. The strength would be compromised.

Having that section removed from the bumper though will allow the hitch point to be that much higher - which is one of my goals due to my offroad towing use.

Is there a particular aftermarket option which would effectively raise the hitch height this much (5 inches) without other significant modifications?

Hmm...

 

[T4R2014]

It definitely would not be a hack job, but I see your point. The strength would be compromised.

Having that section removed from the bumper though will allow the hitch point to be that much higher - which is one of my goals due to my offroad towing use.

Is there a particular aftermarket option which would effectively raise the hitch height this much (5 inches) without other significant modifications?

Hmm...

Without cutting into the bumper, I'm pretty sure there's a tubular reese hitch that doesn't have that stupid drop. No idea what Toyota was thinking when they designed their hitch.

 

[Reinout]

My .02: The hitch holds all your goodies to the back of your 4runner. If you believe that your fab shop will do a good job and make sure that your trailer will stay with your truck. I'd go for it. My skeptisism is that IF the hitch does brake away, there goes your expensive trailer.

I'd stick with an OEM 3 piece hitch at since it's designed to take the load.

However. If I were to go with a fabricated hitch and you want to maintain your factory bumper I would have a crossmember put in behind the bumper with the 2" hitch end come straight out. Completely hidden except for the 2" hitch sticking out.

Kind of what Torklift has done for some Suby and Toyota models with the bumper cutout:

 

[habanero]

If you are wanting to utilize it as armor then you dont want to do the hitch flip that will leave your bumper exposed. I have never heard of the hitch flip before this but I don't think it is a good Idea for what you want to do. just my .02

The hitch will still protect as the bar still goes straight across, you just don't have the receiver hanging down gouging into everything you come off of. The extra height was nice for the bike rack, too. You do have to cut a square into the bumper though. I was okay with that. Old pic of my second mod:

 

[reelamin]

It definitely would not be a hack job, but I see your point. The strength would be compromised.

Having that section removed from the bumper though will allow the hitch point to be that much higher - which is one of my goals due to my offroad towing use.

Is there a particular aftermarket option which would effectively raise the hitch height this much (5 inches) without other significant modifications?

Hmm...

If you went with the cut and re-weld you are not compromising anything. Well....If you have someone who knows how to weld....a professional fabrication shop should be fine.

Yes you can hack up your bumper....why???...for about $40 bucks or $100 if you buy one you can put a 1" body lift on in a couple hours. (Stupid Easy!!)

You will not gain 5" of height gain....only 3"....no there are none available (I could not find any) that will gain you any more than 1". So if your going to buy a aftermarket....just flip the one you have.

Easiest....just get a 3" drop receiver and reverse it...bam...done. You just don't gain any receiver/ground clearance.

 

[Charlene]

Flipped my hitch a couple years ago. This is what mine looks like.

 

[Thenatoriousbig]

Flipped my hitch a couple years ago. This is what mine looks like.

Another nice hitch flip!

Will the bumper still hold up to standing directly above where the cutout was made?

I weigh in at 200lbs and frequently stand on my bumper right now to access roof cargo. Ideally would like to continue to do this.

Also, I just found a bolt-together hitch from a 99' 4runner locally - offered $40 if it's in good condition.

 

[Charlene]

Another nice hitch flip!

Will the bumper still hold up to standing directly above where the cutout was made?

I weigh in at 200lbs and frequently stand on my bumper right now to access roof cargo. Ideally would like to continue to do this.

Also, I just found a bolt-together hitch from a 99' 4runner locally - offered $40 if it's in good condition.

Are you asking if the hitch can still hold as much weight? If so then I don't see why it wouldn't. It's just a straight flip and the bolted back up again. I would say the strength is exactly the same.

 

[Thenatoriousbig]

Are you asking if the hitch can still hold as much weight? If so then I don't see why it wouldn't. It's just a straight flip and the bolted back up again. I would say the strength is exactly the same.

I'm actually wondering about the strength of the bumper after being cut and modified...

Could you still stand on your bumper right above where the cuts were made? Or is the bumper now too weak in that area to hold up to the weight?