MRKilroy

So after calling Lexus corp giving them my vin munber trying to see, if my 05 RX 330 is "Tow Ready" ?? I didnt know 100% if it did, but they did say/verify that when the car was ordered from the factory that the "TO" option was ordered and is on the vehicle so I guess that means that I dont need the "Converter" Box.
They say you need it if you dont have the "TO" Option.
So my local lexus dealer gave me a good deal on the hitch kit, 230 plus tax, I know they are a little cheaper online but I wanted it now, and if i had issues with it I can return it to them, so worth the 20 extra in my opinion. So here I go to install the "hitch kit"

Very well Packed, nice Piece, a little sloppy splatter welds but still good. Nice hardware. here we go.

Just got done installing my lexus brand tow hitch.

The install went great, one of the easiest hitches I have ever installed and I have installed a few in my time.
Ran into a bit o good luck. After I bolted everything to the frame and torqued it all down (Fit Great by the way).
Wasnt looking forward to pulling apart the interior, just to plug in the trailer harness.
So I took out the body plug out from the bottom of the car shined my LED light in the hole and to my suprise there is the white 4 pin connector on the bottom side of the main loom.
I could reach up with my finger and touch it, feels tightly secured to the wire loom.
So I decided to spend 15 min tring to manuver up the wire with a little bend on it to line it up with the connector..finally got the right angle and it ligned up slid in perfectly.
Then with a long skinny flat screwdriver I pushed from the Back on the new wire harness slide and click ! The harness is installed and hooked up!!
I didnt not have to take apart the inside of the car to plugin the trailer harness, pure luck i guess but I took a roll of the dice and decided to spend the chance and 15 min trying to line it up then take apart the inside, risk breaking a pannel create noises that wernt there before. I could always start to take it apart the inside if the other didnt work so whats 15 more min for a role of the dice! Maybe I should have bought a lotto ticket that night too !

I just wish it fit under the car a bit better ....meaning further back under the bumper lip, but it still looks and fits 300% better than any aftermarket one I have ever installed before.

Still luvin my first Lexus

mandyfig

A nice DIY would have been great! Pics and all! Great that you are enjoying your RX!

MRKilroy

If I knew it was goiong to be this easy I should have taken pics with my write up.

rgreen350

Question for MRKilroy – how did you handle the rubber grommet on the wire harness? It seems designed to be pushed into the hole from inside the vehicle.

mmlex1987

I am wondering where to purchase the oem hitch? I went to lexuspartsonline and the price is almost double what everyone is saying within these threads?

RX330inFL

Congrats. I saw an RX not that long ago with a U-Haul hitch that looked very much OEM. Have attached the part info should anyone care to look. Was listed at $160.

mmlex1987

Ok, I am confused on this pricing. The oem hitch part# I found on a previous thread was PT228-48045. It comes with hitch, hardware & factory wiring harness. The price at Sewell is $365.00, my local dealer giving me decent deal because of relative there is $335.00 So my question, where do any of you folks recommend I purchase this oem hitch package? Thanks

DRF31

My RX 330 has a trailer option and I am planning to install a Curt hitch. My dealer is getting a Lexus harness for me.
I was pleased to know you were successfully able to install the cable without taking the inside apart and would like to do the same. However, I am not familiar with the term "loom" you used in your story. Can you explain further?

DRF31

Carver

I think the OPs have passed on from old age.

checkerj

If any of you wondered if a cheaper wiring harness existed other than the Lexus/Toyota pre-made harness, here's a link that might help:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ml#post9137155