Hitch Receiver

[ebod]

The 2004 Landcruiser I am about to buy does not come with a towing hitch receiver. I need a receiver and I'm wondering if I should have the dealer install one or go aftermarket.

To the extent it matters, I don't do heavy towing, but I DO put A LOT of weight on the receiver. This is because I haul my dirtbikes on hitch-mounted motorcycle hauler (between my bike, my kid's bike and the rack itself, I'm close to 500 lbs. on the receiver). Thus I want the heaviest duty receiver that is practical. Any suggestions as to what receiver to get?

Also, if the truck doesn't have the "factory" receiver (is there a true factory receiver or are they all put on at the dealership), is it also missing any other stuff I might want (e.g., extra oil or tranny coolers, etc.)?

Thanks in advance for any thoughts.

 

[DMX84]

Check U-Haul. I purchased one for my Tacoma and it had an extra hole in it. When I enquired about it they said it was for an anti-rattle hitch lock. That thing works awesome! I too, haul a motorcycle on the back of my cruiser. And it does not wobble. Unfortunately mine did come with the factory hitch and I had to drill the extra hole in it. I highly recommend this lock set up. It works!
~DMX
If this picture is not showing, click on the link in yellow with my name on it.

[quote author=DMX84 link=board=2;threadid=12126;start=msg111463#msg111463 date=1077856671]
Made my own here is the picture.

Yes that’s the POS Tahoe I ended up dumping

[/quote]

 

[Brentbba]

Probably applies to the 100's as well, when I bought my hitch for the 80 from the dealer it was a Valley Industries hitch. They mfg OEM hitches for Toyota. Advantage is that when you purchase the hitch and harness from the dealer, the harness you get just plugs right into your existing taillight assembly (at least mine did). Very easy to install both the hitch and harness. From another thread, I see that the 100's may come prewired for the 7-pin harness. That's great if it does.

 

[e9999]

OEM is rated at 650 lbs on hitch IIRC.
The OEM tow package does come with goodies. I imagine a tranny cooler if it's like the 80 but also a full harness for the 7 pin socket, including a connector under the dash to get into the electric brake controller that you would need if you do trailer towing. That's pretty nice if you don't want to slice and splice. Of course, you'll pay more from the dealer than if you put it all in yourself.
E

 

[e9999]

oh yes, on the US 80s at least, even if the truck did not come with the receiver, it still had the tranny cooler etc
E

 

[Augie]

From time to time OEM hitch came up on ebay for a very reasonable price. I paid $20 for mine although shipping was like $35. Alan Podvin just sold his for about $40 shipped.

My OEM class 3 tow hitch are rated for 750 Lbs gross tongue weight which.

 

[cruisermaine]

I spent a few hours yesterday trying to install a new Toyota Hitch on my 100. I had two probelms - the first was two bolts sheared off even after soaking overnight in PB blaster. One was at the lower bumper reinforcement., the other was the one it says to remove at the spare tire support to locate the ground for the harness. I HATE when that happens but still no biggie. the real issue is that the two 14mm bolts supplied with the hitch don't seem to fit the taps in the frame. the openings in the frame are not centered on the tap'd threads so I took a dremmel tool and widened the opening on one side but I still had trouble with that bolt. It felt like it was taking way to much force to tighten and I didn't want to risk stripping or cross threading the thing. These bolts came with a thin red coating on the threads which I took to be anti-sieze(?). Is this just a case of needing an air wrench or is it possible Toyota included the wrong bolts? I purchased this hitch on ebay and it was the factory original as it came in Toyota packaging with Toyota installation kit and instructions.

 

[hoser]

I bought an OEM hitch as well. I'll let you know how it goes when make my attempt to install.

 

[cruisermaine]

Hoser,
start spraying your bolts now to avoid the problem I had. Overnight wasn't enough. It's also a good time to clean up the rear section of the frame while your under there. I wire brushed some surface rust I had starting on some frame seams/ welds and coated with POR.

 

[calamaridog]

Contact Slee Offroad, they had several used OEM receivers recently. Don't buy from the dealer, they will rape you big time for that item.

 

[spressomon]

I spent a few hours yesterday trying to install a new Toyota Hitch on my 100. I had two probelms - the first was two bolts sheared off even after soaking overnight in PB blaster. One was at the lower bumper reinforcement., the other was the one it says to remove at the spare tire support to locate the ground for the harness. I HATE when that happens but still no biggie. the real issue is that the two 14mm bolts supplied with the hitch don't seem to fit the taps in the frame. the openings in the frame are not centered on the tap'd threads so I took a dremmel tool and widened the opening on one side but I still had trouble with that bolt. It felt like it was taking way to much force to tighten and I didn't want to risk stripping or cross threading the thing. These bolts came with a thin red coating on the threads which I took to be anti-sieze(?). Is this just a case of needing an air wrench or is it possible Toyota included the wrong bolts? I purchased this hitch on ebay and it was the factory original as it came in Toyota packaging with Toyota installation kit and instructions.

These bolts came with a thin red coating on the threads which I took to be anti-sieze(?). Loctite/threadlock?

 

[cruisermaine]

These bolts came with a thin red coating on the threads which I took to be anti-sieze(?). Loctite/threadlock?

Would the Locktite make the bolt require lots of force to rotate /tighten? I've never used the stuff. Anti-sieze doesn't seem to have that effect.

 

[Bad azz Cruiser]

hey i just bought a oem hitch and the instuctions say that there two differnt bolt kits
hardware kit -m14........toyota part#pt228-60990-14
" " -m12........toyota part#pt228-60990-12
the instructions say that cruiser with vin# starting with jt3ht05jxx0029550 will require the m-14 kit all other m-12 kit this is why those bolts didn't fit on the earlier posts.. i have yet to install the hitch hope all goes well!!
By the way for those of you who purchased hitches after the fact did your hitch come the trailer brake connector ? where do i get one mine came with only a flat connector for lights only would like the trailer brake option though!

 

[DMX84]

I think they only come with a 4 wire flat. You will need to get the 7way Bargman plug from a local RV dealer.
Dean

 

[Landpimp]

I just picked up a brand new Valley hitch for a 100 series(think it was up thru 2001) for $50 at my dealer............they had it sitting around sense 98........and just wanted it gone

guess I better find that other 100 series for Connie

 

[cruisermaine]

hey i just bought a oem hitch and the instuctions say that there two differnt bolt kits
hardware kit -m14........toyota part#pt228-60990-14
" " -m12........toyota part#pt228-60990-12
the instructions say that cruiser with vin# starting with jt3ht05jxx0029550 will require the m-14 kit all other m-12 kit this is why those bolts didn't fit on the earlier posts.

I read that note -it came with my hitch. However, my VIN indicates I have the correct bolt kit. I have one about halfway into the frame but not seated. It is requiring more force than I am comfortable applying with my tools. On the other side I widened the outer opening in the frame (it was not concentric with the tapped part) but I apparently grazed the first threads with the grinder so I'll have to find a tap to clean up those first threads. Is this pretty easy assuming I can find a tap with the correct thread/ pitch?

 

[Bad azz Cruiser]

i thought this was going to be an easy install sounds like there going be more involved than i expected! maybe cdan can shed some light on this situation?

 

[calamaridog]

I've installed 5 different brands of recievers on 5 different vehicles and it never took more than an hour. Always a simple, bolt-on installation.

 

[DMX84]

I've installed 5 different brands of recievers on 5 different vehicles and it never took more than an hour. Always a simple, bolt-on installation.

The funny thing is… I always have extra bolts left.

 

[ff347]

Quote:
Originally Posted by spressomon
These bolts came with a thin red coating on the threads which I took to be anti-sieze(?). Loctite/threadlock?



Would the Locktite make the bolt require lots of force to rotate /tighten? I've never used the stuff. Anti-sieze doesn't seem to have that effect.


loctite is a brand name, they make anti-seeze and thread lock. usually the color of the threadlock determines the "strength" and a few other properties, and yes it could make it down right impossible depending on what number loctite you use! you should be able to find a metric tap most anywhere, just make sure of the pitch.