NLXTACY
Wits' End
I dunno, a pintle on my beefy IPOR bumper would prolly do just fine
Pintle versus hitch
- Thread starter thelast13
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
Akella
SILVER Star
Toyota does put pintels hooks on 70, 80 and 100 in NON USA markets. As Landcruisers 70, 80 and 100 series didnt get built in hitch like 200 series, 4runner got.
Evolution of part number for original Toyota HOOK ASSY, PINTLE
51980-60010
51980-60011
51980-60012
How i remember PINTLE HOOK is standard on UN LC, and i doubted that Toyota will put something on UN LC that wont be able to do it purpose. I would not personally worry about it until you try to tow more that 4-5K LB.
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
M12 x 1.25mm
What you really need to go with the Pintle hitch is a fancy new chain plate... way better than a US Army Used one
https://forum.ih8mud.com/merchandis...dian-made-pintle-chain-plate.html#post7644739
Do I get a free one for providing the dimensions?
Thanks for posting that Akella, when I read that I was just going to go on my EPC and pull up the 80 Series in Europe and show that Toyota Puts them on and that all the oars are available from Mr. T
Those eye hooks are available from Lexus here at 75$ a pop but they don't have any in North America lol
Shush you already have one
Those eye hooks are available from Lexus here at 75$ a pop but they don't have any in North America lol
WarDamnEagle said:Do I get a free one for providing the dimensions?
Shush you already have one
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
Thanks for posting that Akella, when I read that I was just going to go on my EPC and pull up the 80 Series in Europe and show that Toyota Puts them on and that all the oars are available from Mr. T
Those eye hooks are available from Lexus here at 75$ a pop but they don't have any in North America lol
Shush you already have one
You're right....a cut of the sales will be fine.
Just kidding. They look nice.
got one for sale
so after a year of searching, I just bought a nice brand new one from Japan 4x4 , thinking it would fit on my 2003 (with the cross member bumper hitch ) turns out the bolt pattern for the 100 series is 2 mm further apart, than the standard 9mm between holes..so this lovely $230 (with shipping) pintle hitch will fit someone's 80, 40, 70, etc..
Taking offers ..starting at $100 plus shipping... includes the cool hook bolts and regular bolts and washers
so after a year of searching, I just bought a nice brand new one from Japan 4x4 , thinking it would fit on my 2003 (with the cross member bumper hitch ) turns out the bolt pattern for the 100 series is 2 mm further apart, than the standard 9mm between holes..so this lovely $230 (with shipping) pintle hitch will fit someone's 80, 40, 70, etc..
Taking offers ..starting at $100 plus shipping... includes the cool hook bolts and regular bolts and washers
That is a great option.
I have towed(w a Surburban) a couple 8K lbs Generators with pintle hooks and they are not fun. They make noise and clunk around under braking and acceleration.
I actually prefer to tow with a ball vs a pintle.
This Lock N Roll provides the best of both world..
Stu
Last edited:
I think this is something that should be added to the FAQ section. It seems to come up every so often with the same opinions. I tried to find something definitive on the subject of maximum towed load using the the pintle hitch and could not find anything from Toyota as such. The closest thing I came across was this extract from an Aussie forum (link below):
Note: 80 series 1990 - 9/1996 will Ball type Tow Bar - Max Tow Weight 2270 - Max Ball Weight 250kg
The same models with Pintle type Tow bars were limited to a max Tow Weight of 2500kg - Max Ball Weight 250kg.
http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5780
I believe when they are referring to the towed load they mean braked. Typically unbraked towed load in European countries is limited to 750 kg (at least in Germany as far as I am aware of).
Note: 80 series 1990 - 9/1996 will Ball type Tow Bar - Max Tow Weight 2270 - Max Ball Weight 250kg
The same models with Pintle type Tow bars were limited to a max Tow Weight of 2500kg - Max Ball Weight 250kg.
http://caravanersforum.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=5780
I believe when they are referring to the towed load they mean braked. Typically unbraked towed load in European countries is limited to 750 kg (at least in Germany as far as I am aware of).
Last edited:
It would be nice to pin down whether the specified weights with the pintle hitch in non-North American spec 80s involve anything other than attachment via the four bolt holes in the rear bumper/x-member.
I know one theory behind higher specified tow weights was that there were some reinforcements added behind the bumper. No one has ever indicated the existence of such parts.
The relatively high capacity indicated for the ball mount suggests this is so. In the US, such a high-capacity hitch typically involves a frame mount. I have seen pics of Aussie ball mount hitches that do appear to have a frame mount. All the pintles just seem to be bolted to the rear bumper.
I know one theory behind higher specified tow weights was that there were some reinforcements added behind the bumper. No one has ever indicated the existence of such parts.
The relatively high capacity indicated for the ball mount suggests this is so. In the US, such a high-capacity hitch typically involves a frame mount. I have seen pics of Aussie ball mount hitches that do appear to have a frame mount. All the pintles just seem to be bolted to the rear bumper.
The rear bumper is the frame. My HDJ81 is just like the NA ones for the pintle mount.
I may end up eating crow on this one, but I'll go down fighting. The way the US model rear crossmember and bumper is setup, there is no way I'd put a load of 250kg on it. And I would not tow 2250kg with it, either. That cross member the way it is shipped to the US is nowhere NEAR strong enough for that. I'll have to go out and look but I think one set of holes doesn't even have threads. Will check in later, but my comments are for US models and I suspect the poster above is onto something when they say in other markets there is a reinforcement of some type for 80s to tow those weights with the cross member 4 holes ALONE.
DougM
DougM
I think it may be a matter of leverage. Having never towed with a pintle, I cannot speak from experience. However, looking at the design, there is a lot less leverage and 'twisting load' on the frame with a pintle type hitch.
Just remember that a pintle hitch cannot weight-transfer, which is what frame-mounted receiver hitch assemblies will work much better on. So there cannot be leverage like there would be with a weight-transfer hitch.
And you cannot put an extended drawbar on a pintle either. The load will be only a few inches from the face of the pintle mount. Whereas a 2" receiver can get a lot of leverage with an extended drop or reach draw bar, or with any sort of weight-tranfser draw bar. Even a regular non-drop draw bar on a FJ40-type receiver hitch puts the ball much further from the 4 mounting bolts than a pintle will ever see.
I'd trust the rear crossmember a lot more with an actual pintle than with a receiver bolted to those holes.
It's true, the 4 holes in the rear bumper, only two are threaded. Doesn't keep me from towing my boat around with it with an FJ40 style receiver hitch.
Just remember that a pintle hitch cannot weight-transfer, which is what frame-mounted receiver hitch assemblies will work much better on. So there cannot be leverage like there would be with a weight-transfer hitch.
And you cannot put an extended drawbar on a pintle either. The load will be only a few inches from the face of the pintle mount. Whereas a 2" receiver can get a lot of leverage with an extended drop or reach draw bar, or with any sort of weight-tranfser draw bar. Even a regular non-drop draw bar on a FJ40-type receiver hitch puts the ball much further from the 4 mounting bolts than a pintle will ever see.
I'd trust the rear crossmember a lot more with an actual pintle than with a receiver bolted to those holes.
It's true, the 4 holes in the rear bumper, only two are threaded. Doesn't keep me from towing my boat around with it with an FJ40 style receiver hitch.
I do agree that just from looking at the US rear cross member it does not look like something I would tow 5K lbs from. Seems like there is much more solid meat in a Class 3 tow hitch assembly.
(although, Doug, what does the thread or no thread have to do much with overall strength -if that is what you meant?)
(although, Doug, what does the thread or no thread have to do much with overall strength -if that is what you meant?)
If it's not threaded, then my feeling is it is lacking something. I have seen simple steel loops from the factory on vehicles like the 80 with the exact setup. Two holes threaded, two holes not. The threaded holes had a heavy steel loop bolted across them for general use.
Id be curious to see what someone with a Euro or Oz 80 series with the tow package has on their cross member? Photo? Tx in advance.
DougM
Id be curious to see what someone with a Euro or Oz 80 series with the tow package has on their cross member? Photo? Tx in advance.
DougM
I get the feeling that the lower unthreaded holes are to allow bolting of eyebolts with nuts on the back for safety chains. With threaded holes you cannot align the eyebolts for ease of use.
And if they weren't designed for mounting a pintle those holes would never have been drilled from the factory.
You don't see those holes with nuts on them on other types of vehicles.
And if they weren't designed for mounting a pintle those holes would never have been drilled from the factory.
You don't see those holes with nuts on them on other types of vehicles.
True, true, a design feature for all LandCruiser Wagons through at least the 80 (and for all I know is what the 200 likely sports underneath the plastic...) is the rear-bumper/x-member with mounting points for a pintle hitch.
I don't doubt the ruggedness of the bumper/rear xomember. A guy totaled his AMC into the back of my FJ55 at 35 mph, along with my neck. Didn't bother that x-member at all.
What I was referring to is your typical North American style hitch assembly that offers a cross bar separate from the rear x-member where the hitch receiver is located, hung from sideframe attachments points forward of the rear x-member and with the receiver usually sitting under the bumper itself.
It's been awhile, but I've seen pics of Aussie-spec 80s with what look like ball hitches sporting a hitch frame assembly very similar to US-spec 80s got at the port or dealer. I've seen nothing similar when they've mounted pintle hitches, looks just like it's bolted to the bumper/rear x-member. If there are additional reinforcements used with the pintle to have those high load ratings, it's not visible.
I'm with Doug. Can one of our Aussie members enlighten us with pics of how the pintle is mounted DownUnder? Or even "Nothing, they just bolt that sucker on -- and that rating is good to go."
Never did think of the eyebolt aspect of why the two bottom holes don't have captive nuts. Makes sense to me, anyway. I use a GI chainplate, though, which has a certain cleaner look to it that I prefer to eyebolts.
I pull two dirt bikes behind mine on a small trailer (5x8) with the pintle/ball combo, total weight +/- 1000lbs. I have had no issues with this setup. The Land Cruisers are very underpowered as it is, I wouldn't want to tow any more than that.
WarDamnEagle
SILVER Star
If you could get behind the top two bolt holes then I think they would all be unthreaded. A bolt and nut combination is typically stronger than a threaded hole with no backing nut.
I have towed a U-Haul, 6x12 enclosed trailer several times on 4 hour trips with no problem at all and won't hesitate to do it again. The trailer weighs 1920 lb empty and I know I've put at least another 1000 lb inside (probably much more). It is tandem axle so the tongue weight isn't much of an issue but overall I wouldn't hesitate to tow a 2k +/- load with my ball pintle.
I am an engineer and that crossmember (IMHO) is probably stronger than the side frame rails from a lateral loading standpoint. I drove a 100 series while living in England and looked at several 80 series after I bought my 80 in the US. I was going to buy a NATO pintle (while still living in the UK) but decided I wanted the ball pintle so I bought one in the US. As far as I could tell the UK 80 series pintle mount was reinforced exactly like the US model; nothing more and nothing less.
Do any of you know a good source for just the eye-bolts? I suppose I could run down to the hardware store, but I worry about the strength.
