shadowmite

So I found one of the 6500lb class 4 lexus hitches on the local craigslist for $50. Needless to say I bought it and plan to install next weekend maybe. It's missing the hardware and frame spacers. I figure the hardware bolts etc are easy enough to get at Home Depot but am worried about the frame spacers. Anyway know if those are really needed? Does something not clear without a bit of space? I figured I could try washers?

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...th-photos.html

the plates seen in those pics in the middle between the bracket and the hitch are what I'm referring to.

chiph9

You really want the spacers. There are two for the sides that let the hitch clear the frame welds. They prevent the welds from cracking from the stress of the flat hitch on them. And the two spacers that go under the center portion are needed to get the height & alignment right. Without them the hitch will put stress on the frame when you tighten the bolts. You might even warp the frame or hitch when you tighten them.

So far as fasteners - you want grade 8 for a 6500 lb hitch (they're also used in automotive suspensions). Look for 6 radial lines on the bolt heads. Pretty sure you won't find them at Home Depot or Lowes and will need to order them online. Grainger or Fastenal are good vendors.

The center bolts are the most important, as they support the tongue weight on their threads. Then the rear-most side bolts, and then the front-most side bolts (they undergo shear load when you pull the trailer, and don't have much vertical load to them).

The bolt sizes and torque specs are on the instructions from Sewell Lexus.

Hint: Use some dish soap on the exhaust hanger to lubricate the rubber, so it slides off easier.

Chip H.

shadowmite

Perhaps that's why it was so cheap then, wonder if I can get a shop to fab some spacers for me.

shadowmite

If anyone happens to have this hitch and the frame spacers laying around not installed, I'd love to have a set of measurements on the spacers. Otherwise I'll get creative in a couple weeks.

chiph9

The shape and hole positions are pretty important, but I think the metal thickness is actually the critical dimension.

Chip H.

SC3coupe

iTrader: (4)

Hi OP or anyone who has installed this I was wondering if the spacers are pretty thick?
I was looking under my car this picture is above the muffler and the welds drip kind of low, or is that sealant?

I prefer not to have to grind down the welds if that's ok
I know the rear had been bumped but I don't think this was a repair.

chiph9

The spacers will go around the welds.

Chip H.

techrep

You can buy grade 8 nuts and bolts at Tractor supply or ace hardware..

shadowmite

I ended up using high grade bolts and a stack of washers to avoid the weld joints on my installation since I didn't have the proper spacers. If you do have them they should avoid the weld joints and drop the hitch down just enough to clear them all around.

The stacks of washers I believe are safe since the middle bolts are what take the actual torque and load, the sides are mainly extra support. I'll have to take a pic of what I did if you like.

SC3coupe

iTrader: (4)

Thanks for getting back
Do you remember the hitching being very heavy like 50 lbs and changed the handling of the truck? Or maybe more like 25 lbs since the tubing should not weight so much.

Those 2 spacers if made of steel would be pretty heavy as well as I imagine they are at least 3/16 thick

bbrowncods

The hitch is not that heavy, maybe 25lbs. the spacers are two for each side and each is about 1/8 inch thick.

chiph9

Yep. It's not super heavy - just more awkward to do it by yourself. Have a friend help.

Chip H.

SC3coupe

iTrader: (4)

Hi, just an update I was able to locate this part, but most sites are saying it is discountinued. But I was able to buy a new one, the boxed weight is 44 lbs.

As we know the hitch for the GX470 were port installed when new, I would say most GX470 on the road I have seen, has one.

As to why my vehicle and maybe some GX470 don't have it, maybe because they tried and they cannot, when I tried to put the spacer plate, the weld shown in my picture is still too thick and will need some grinding down flush with the plate. The weld is also too thick laterally and offsetted the holes, so I would need to trim down the plate's side by a couple mm, plus paint protect any exposed metal. of course this would have been a no-go to grind on a new vehicle at the port. But I am determined to do a proper job on this.
The hitch also doesn't come with instructions but I was able to find a PDF of it.

Does anyone know if the round plug already have signal going to it, some posts say a towing relay needs to be added, etc. I am only interested in trailer lights, not brake control, I would also need a round plug to rectangle 4 wire adapter for hooking up to U-Haul rental trailers.