Rant: Receiver Type Hitch - poor fit?

[97 FZJ80]

I used to have a pickup before the LC and it had a hitch ball on the bumper that I used to tow trailers. When I went shopping for an 80 to replace the pickup, I specifically ask that a Toyota (Lexus) OEM hitch be installed in the 80. I wanted to retain the ability to tow trailers and mount other receiver accessories, such as the cargo platform and bike carrier, so that I an carry things that I used to with my pickup.

I might be nitpicking due to being used to the high quality of the Toyota products. Every accessory I have purchased for the receiver hitch has fitted like a POS. The cargo platform squeeked and swayed side-by-side up to 30 degrees and the receiver locking pin is about 1/2 too long. The receiver cover light that I've purchased stick out of the receiver for over 1 inch, which made it looked like a stupid light on a stick. None of the receiver draw bars ever fitted tightly, and rattle around like a rock in a tin can.

Maybe I have a defective hitch (I don't know, never owned another receiver hitch before), or are things just made for the hitch done without any QC, standards, or specs? This might sound funny but I have little tolerance for things that are poorly made (Which is why I have a Cruiser). Does everyone have bad experience with the (US?) made receiver or am I just expecting too much from the receiver? Should I be ordering a custom hitch/receiver so that they could fit together without the annoying rattle? Maybe I should put some foam or grease between the receiver and draw bar to reduce the noise? Any other suggestions?

John ???

 

[theferg]

Interesting. I have a stock Toyota draw bar with ball that I got from my buddies dad's old FZJ80. I had an aftermarket one and ours somehow got switched and I ended up with it. Anyway, I built a custom rear bumper and used square tube from the local metal store that was labeled as hitch/receiver tube and was supposed to fit any 2 inch draw bar or accessory. Well, the stock Toyota draw bar doesn't even come close to fitting in my receiver tube for my bumper. I thought my receiver tube was jacked-up, but any other aftermarket hitch accessory and draw bar fit in perfectly.

My conclusion: FZJ80 hitch tubes and draw bars are slightly bigger than the "norm". But I don't know for certain....

-Ferg-

 

[Scamper]

According to other posts on this board, the OEM hitch is made by Valley. None of the US cruisers come with this as factory installed--they're all installed at the port of entry. I purchased mine from the dealer after buying the truck, and it was labeled as Valley.

Since Valley is a US-made hitch, I'd be surprised that it didn't use a standard size tube. All my hitch gizmos fit just fine--nice and snug.

Why not just measure your receiver and compare it to others? I suppose it's possible that your's is defective, but I kinda doubt it.

Tom

 

[cruiserdan]

The receiver tube in the OEM hitch is shortened and the bar pin depth is custom to clear the spare tire. How is your hitch labeled?

 

[xl715]

I have had numerous hitches, and never had a stinger fit that loose. Sounds like C&#039an has hit it on the head, custom hitch sizes for a one of a kind rig!! See if the dealer who installed it carries accessories for it, or if you reallly want to keep your accessories, you could try an aftermaket hitch. But I think if you go aftermaket on the hitch it may hang down further then factory, depending on the brand.

 

[96Cruiser]

My hitch has toyota p/n=00214-60960 and has two(2)warning labels indicating toyota motor sales usa.
i bought used and never got any reciever plug-ins,and currently have three(3)aftermarket plug-ins in a tool bag in the back for boat/single atv-moto trailer/double atv trailer and didnt really have a problem with any of them fitting or rattling too much.....

it did come with the rubber Toyota cover plug though


doug

 

[Brentbba]

Hmmm, Valley hitch here and no problems at all with a regular ball hitch, weight distribution hitch or a bike carrier. All have fit just fine.

 

[97 FZJ80]

Thanks C'dan for the info. Mine has the Toyota labels on the hitch and installed by the Lexus dealer. I wonder if the other countries like Australia has custom made receiver hitch?

 

[Junk]

97, I had the valley hitch. No offense dude, but maybe the issue is you are expecting too much from the hitch since you mention you never had one before. Just a thought. They are somewhat universal, and what you consider play someone else may not. I say ditch it and go with a new bumper anyway

 

[IdahoDoug]

A cheap diner butter knife will make a perfect wedge to stop the excess movement of many accessories like platforms and bike racks. Jam it in there, and slap a piece of duct tape on to keep the knife from falling out. The also sell a device with threaded holes all around a square collar that fits over the hitch opening to more strongly take slack out. You tighten the bolts in these holes and restrict all movement. I don't think it will work for towing a trailer as that's a lot of force. I have the factory Toyota Class III hitch and draw bar and have a bit of annoying slack as well. But it's no more or less than many other hitches I've had.

DougM

 

[RavenTai]

play in the hitch is pretty common, I have a u-haul hitch in my Chevy's factory receiver it was a very poor fit, I wrapped plumbers Teflon tape in 2 places (front and back) around the hitch until it was a tight fit in the receiver, every time I towed it loosened some and I would add a little more tape but even when loose the tape deadened the noise where I could not hear it in the cab, unlike bare where every bump made a bunch of racket

haven't played with the 80's hitch yet

one of the things I thought of doing was bonding laminated shim stock to the hitch and getting a good fit, then reaming the pin hole for a minor interference fit for the next size up bolt

but that is a lot of work to get rid of the rattle