Hidden Hitch question

[fish2live]

I have a 2003 with the "hidden hitch" and not the standard "under bumper" hitch. I notice 90% of the pitures I see of US 2003's have the under the bumper hitch, but I DO see a few with the hidden hitch cover in the center of the rear bumper on eBay and a few on this site as well on the "picture thread" - but those seem to be more international 100's (Middle East, Europe, Aust etc).

I popped off the plate and there is a 2in. square reciever that seems kind stout.

Couple question...

1) Anyone know the tow rating of this? Probably lower than the under the bumper one I'd guess.

2) There is no hole in the side of this receiver to stick the hitch pin into in order to secure the receiver hitch... anyone know if that is the way to go about this?? OR, there are 4 bolt holes around the receiver hole, do I need to buy some sort of "converter" to use in order to use a stadard hitch?

Don't worry, I only use it to tow maybe 1000 lb max (1 small dirtbike) so no need for a big hitch capacity right now.


Thanks again all...

Fish

 

[i4c4lo]

Fish,

Not sure what the rating is but with your motorcycle back there, it will be fine. There is a place to put the pin in, you might have to look behind/underneath the bumper to get to it.

 

[fish2live]

still wondering...

I looked hard, but there is definitely no place for the pin to go through. There must be some sort of insert/adapter or something needed??

Here are pics... you can see all the way through to the spare and there are no holes anywhere on the sides, top or bottom.. hmmm

See the 4th picture down on the new LC thread below, the opening is larger and clearly there is pin with a retainer in plain view...
https://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=138551


Fish

 

[Jim_Chow]

You have the exact same square hole as I do in my rear crossmember. There's a hitch attachment that bolts into those 4 holes. That attachment is the "receiver" that a normal hitch fits into and should have a hole for the pin and hoops for the chain. You need to get this from the dealer. I don't have one, but I know they must be available since I saw one LX in town a few weeks ago with one installed. It's also pictured in the FSM in the body section.

 

[hoser]

The in-bumper hitch is rated at 5k lbs.

 

[fish2live]

thank you gents

ok, I'll get one ordered from the dealer.

5K huh? That is good to know, that makes it a Class lll then?

Thanks,
fish

 

[Snook]

Reminder: For those who have built-in square hole like you Fish4live, the four holes about 1/2" wider than standard four holes.

We learned that when we ordered one and put in our standard rear crossmember during out custom armor rear bumper that have four holes but no big square hole in it and the holes didn't aligned up.

BTW, Creve Coeur is my hometown.

Cheers,

ok, I'll get one ordered from the dealer.

5K huh? That is good to know, that makes it a Class lll then?

Thanks,
fish

 

[Jim_Chow]

The square hole is wider since the 2" receiver fits inside of it. Make sure you get the OEM bolts. The torque according to my FSM is sixty-something ft-lbs. Kind of low, IMHO, as the torque on the drawtite towbar that bolts underneath is 115 ft-lbs.

 

[EdsCruisin]

I've been looking at these cover plates for some time now, especially since most of the other big SUV's have them now.

Questions: Is the cross member on my 2000 capable of towing like this, or would an entirely new set up be required? What is the rating on an aftermarket bumper, like Slee or ARB?

I would love to recapture the ground clearance lost by my aftermarket hitch.

 

[fish2live]

Part # from Toyota

For the receiver hitch that inserts into the "hidden" crossmember bumper it's Toyota part # 51990 and the bolts are 90148-12003 and you need 4 of them. The hitch was quoted to me at about $175, not sure on the bolts, probably $5 each of something crazy..

The dealter didn't have a rating or capacity for this hirch, but looking at the crossmember, and based on what hoser says I think a Class III (5000 lb tow and 500 lb tounge) shouldn't be an issue at all.

I you can find any "official" rating let me know, I'll do the same.

Going to order it this week.

Thanks all...

Fish

 

[1loudLX]

dont forget to order from CDan!!!!!

 

[LXPearl]

The Toyota sales info gave it as 5000 lbs. Your owners manual should also state that.

The under bumper option from Toyota is rated at 6500 lbs.

 

[fish2live]

ordered the hitch

Placed order from Toyota today, 5000lb rating and $103 (wholesale), bolts are $2 each.