CivicFerio

Lexus finally released a 6500lbs tow hitch for the 03-04 GX470, the part number is PT228 60440 that's with out the ball mount.

I went to a couple of Lexus dealers and I have mixed comments about this tow hitch. One dealer said it is a bolt in kit for GX470 with out a factory installed tow hitch, while the other said it is an upgrade kit to work in conjunction with the existing 5000lbs factory hitch.

I hope you guys can help me out on this. Is the Lexus tow hitch a stand alone kit or it has to work with the existing 5000lbs hitch? Thank you

Charleston

CaptnPete

My 2003 GX 470 came with the 6500 lbs hitch and the towing package. Unless your car has the towing package, i. e. transmission oil cooler and the proper wiring for the electric brakes, I would not attempt to tow a heavy load like that.

Pete

zah921

I have been waiting for three months for a hitch that my saleman is saying " it'll be in any day now". Out of frustration I called 1-800-25Lexus I was told that hitches were allowed on 33% of the models sold for 2003. According to this guy the EPA has placed some kind of hold on further installations. He said that Lexus has no idea when they will reach an agreement with them. I then checked with the parts manager at my dealership and he confirmed that the only hitches they had were replacements for accidents and couldn't be installed on my 470. I am not at all happy about this revelation.

GRAYM

I have the same problem with the tow hitch....I have never seen such a fiasco over something so trivial. I think that the EPA issue is just a load of crap.

gzorn

I got a Lexus hitch installed about 2 weeks ago, but have been asking both my sales person and parts manager every couple weeks since I bought the 470, I also had called the 800-LEXUS a couple times to inquire so my name has been on their list also. I don't know if it came in as one of the small allocation for the 35% EPA rule or they just took it off another 470 but I am happy to have it. It is possible to get but you end up needing to be a pest to the people who handle it.

GRAYM

Are we all speaking about the same thing here. I was at the Toyota dealer today looking at the 4runner and noted that they have the receiver part of the hitch that I need already installed on the sport model. I also got the run around from this dealer saying they need to go through Lexus. (do I note a conspiracy here?) I already paid for the useless "tow" package that was on the GX from the factory. While I was there they called a local Lexus dealer and I could not beleive the story they gave this Toyota guy. The Lexus parts person said "due to the way the door opens, Lexus will not provide a hitch". I just looked at him a said you just got the runaround that most GX owners have gotten in the past few months. I am going to go to another Toyota dealer and note that all I need is a hitch reciever and never mention the GX. I do believe that this option was in the hundreds of dollars ....and useless to this point. And all I want to do is carry a bike rack!

CaptnPete

My GX 470 came equipped with the 6500# hitch. In looking at some of the options , you might inquire about a hitch for the Toyota 4Runner. Here is a link to the website for Hidden Hitch. It looks remarkably similar to my factory Lexus hitch.

http://www.hitchesonline.com/toyota_..._runner_03.htm

CivicFerio

tow hitch components

Here are the part numbers, description, quantity you will need and list price (price was quoted 10/03)

51909-35010 Tube S/A, PI 1pc. 197.21

90119-12361 Bolt, w/wash 6pcs. 2.92

82169-60050 Wire, Frame, SP 1pc. 215.25

52171-60060 reinforcement 1pc.29.14

52172-60040 reinforcement 1pc. 29.84

PT228-89340 Ball Mount 4 1pc. 68.02

52169-60050-B1 Cover, RR BU (Silver Pine) 1pc. 78.52

00228-60966 Hitch Plug, L 100 1pc. 14.30

This hitch is rated 5000lbs. and is for the MY03 GX470.

CivicFerio

ball mount

CivicFerio

All the new GX470s will now come with a tow hitch bracket, and the wire harness to plug in the trailer lights. Unfortunately, If your GX didn't come with a factory hitch; you have to go to Lexus, and look at the accessory catalogue. Then try to order the 6500lbs weight distributing hitch part number PT228 60440, if they decide to sell it to us.

For now, I just got myself the early version GX470 5000lbs tow hitch which is also found on most new 4Runners V6s. It set me back about 600 bucks on parts. Which I just deducted it from my Lexus gift card. I will try to install it when I have time and take some more pictures.

CivicFerio

04 tow hitch bracket and trailer lights outlet

CivicFerio

Finally installed the tow hitch, took me about 2hours to bolt everything on and it was easy to do. You have to remove the rear bumper to get the 4 bolts in the receiver. I can't wait to test it out this weekend!!

Charleston

CivicFerio

rear bumper cover off

CivicFerio

hitch receiver and outlet

CivicFerio

installation complete!!