Trailer hitch install with photos!!!
#16
Driver
Thread Starter
Hate to bring up an old thread, however I just ran into this and thought id comment.
Your 04 GX is Silver Pine Metallic in color.. The Tow cover you ordered is Titanium Silver, available on all 2005-2008 models.
Props on the install, that truly looks like factory to me.. I swear if we put both our GXs together no one would be able to tell!
Your 04 GX is Silver Pine Metallic in color.. The Tow cover you ordered is Titanium Silver, available on all 2005-2008 models.
Props on the install, that truly looks like factory to me.. I swear if we put both our GXs together no one would be able to tell!
#17
Pit Crew
I like the look of your wheel/rims on the GX - pretty sharp. Are those 20s?
#18
Driver
Thread Starter
Thank you!!! Thosw wheels were 22s I have since gone with a different set. I now have stock FJ Cruiser wheels on it, what a better ride than with those 22s
#20
Pit Crew
#21
Driver
Thread Starter
#22
Pit Crew
I had a look under the rear bumper of my 2004 to investigate the possibility of adding a towing receiver to the beast. It looks like there was a factory installation of a 7 pin wiring harness for plugging in a trailer. Does this mean that the so-called "tow package" had been installed?
Does anyone know if a 4runner has a similar setup for towing? If I want an OE hitch installation do I need to use only Lexus parts?
Does anyone know if a 4runner has a similar setup for towing? If I want an OE hitch installation do I need to use only Lexus parts?
#23
Pole Position
Presence of the 7-pin connector is one indicator that you have the tow package. The other thing to check is that you have an auxiliary radiator in front of the regular one. This is the extra transmission cooler.
Chip H.
Chip H.
#24
Pit Crew
Yes, there is an aux radiator in front of the regular one. This is good news. Now, is it just the addition of the receiver?
#25
Pole Position
Yes, go ahead and buy the Lexus hitch package. You've got what you need to tow.
They sell a pintle hitch, which just attaches to a frame cross-rail. And a frame-mounted hitch. My understanding is you want the frame-mounted hitch if you intend to use a weight-distributing trailer.
Chip H.
They sell a pintle hitch, which just attaches to a frame cross-rail. And a frame-mounted hitch. My understanding is you want the frame-mounted hitch if you intend to use a weight-distributing trailer.
Chip H.
#26
Lexus Champion
#27
Pit Crew
Yes, go ahead and buy the Lexus hitch package. You've got what you need to tow.
They sell a pintle hitch, which just attaches to a frame cross-rail. And a frame-mounted hitch. My understanding is you want the frame-mounted hitch if you intend to use a weight-distributing trailer.
Chip H.
They sell a pintle hitch, which just attaches to a frame cross-rail. And a frame-mounted hitch. My understanding is you want the frame-mounted hitch if you intend to use a weight-distributing trailer.
Chip H.
#28
Pit Crew
HELP
Just had the new receiver installed at the dealer and was told I'm ready to tow. Even though this GX had the factory tow package installed I just wanted to confirm that I had all the relays before I installed my brake controller. To my dismay, I peeled back the rear left compartment and saw this: see pics.
I thought there was supposed to be a green relay there. Is this something new? I've towed before with this GX and the pintle receiver with my utility trailer. The brake lights and the turn signals worked. Any ideas? Should I call the dealer and ask them? Would they have a clue?
Just had the new receiver installed at the dealer and was told I'm ready to tow. Even though this GX had the factory tow package installed I just wanted to confirm that I had all the relays before I installed my brake controller. To my dismay, I peeled back the rear left compartment and saw this: see pics.
I thought there was supposed to be a green relay there. Is this something new? I've towed before with this GX and the pintle receiver with my utility trailer. The brake lights and the turn signals worked. Any ideas? Should I call the dealer and ask them? Would they have a clue?
#29
HELP
Just had the new receiver installed at the dealer and was told I'm ready to tow. Even though this GX had the factory tow package installed I just wanted to confirm that I had all the relays before I installed my brake controller. To my dismay, I peeled back the rear left compartment and saw this: see pics.
I thought there was supposed to be a green relay there. Is this something new? I've towed before with this GX and the pintle receiver with my utility trailer. The brake lights and the turn signals worked. Any ideas? Should I call the dealer and ask them? Would they have a clue?
Just had the new receiver installed at the dealer and was told I'm ready to tow. Even though this GX had the factory tow package installed I just wanted to confirm that I had all the relays before I installed my brake controller. To my dismay, I peeled back the rear left compartment and saw this: see pics.
I thought there was supposed to be a green relay there. Is this something new? I've towed before with this GX and the pintle receiver with my utility trailer. The brake lights and the turn signals worked. Any ideas? Should I call the dealer and ask them? Would they have a clue?
I bought a curt frame mounted hitch. I went to look and see what relays I would need if any. There was no relay installed behind the rear left tail light. I checked under the hood in the relay boxs and found no relays I ordered two from sewel and thats all I needed . I was told on certain serial numbers of teh 2004 gx470 the green relay was no longer needed. I did find a wire connector behind the tail light but the green relay would not match up to the connector. After I installed the engine compartment relays everything worked . I had bought an led 7 pin connector and plugged that into the trailer harness connector that was factory installed and all tests showed it was properly wired. The brake controller connector is under the dash on the drivers side . I did not need a brake controller for a motorcycle trailer so I did not use it. The test device that plugged in said the wiring was correct when I ran the led tests. I bought the test device from e trailer on line
Last edited by mrblister; 08-08-15 at 08:26 AM.
#30
Pit Crew
I've since hooked up with brake controller and lights working properly. The green relay, as you say, isn't needed on this GX. Saved me a few bucks
Btw, the 25 ft Flagstaff ( 4500# dry) and Andersen hitch pulled steady and without much sway or bounce. I still have some tweaking to do as I have to lower the hitch ball an inch. The GX rode nice and there weren't any white knuckles!. Still haven't done a fully loaded pull.
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BeEvil (09-20-18)