JasonZ-YA

Hi,

So, I'm working on fabricating a rear hidden hitch for my friends IS250. He wants it for mounting a bicycle rack.

I found him the Curt hitch unit but its ugly due to being completely visible and overkill in towing capacity when all that's required is a 20# bike and a 10# bike rack.

The hidden Hitch isn't done yet, but will be soon and installed.

REAR BUMPER REMOVAL:

Step:
1. So, i started off by removing the lower undertray:

The undertray has two plastic clips at the rear middle, and 5 plastic nuts that are 10mm - i used my dewalt impact with socket adapter and a 10mm socket and went to town.

the two rear black plastic clips require a screw driver and some prying - note, these with age, get very brittle and breaking them is common. They are easily replaceable with universal clips sold at autozone, etc.

Step:
2 - removing the rear bumper itself -
I found this post by "Slammer1" and it proved to be very useful:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/7846770-post2.html

I went to the site he referenced and found these instructions to go by:

So, with that i went to town and its very easy - i could do it again in 3 minutes easy!

Bumper OFF:


Locations of screws:


So, that removes the bumper -
note, the two plastic clips that u remove in step 1, are the same two they reference in the bumper removal, so no biggy.

JasonZ-YA

So, bumpers off, your done:

Im adding this part, only because im working on a hitch build - but i thought it would be cool to mention that there is the factory VIN number label on the fwd side of the rear aluminum impact beam.

See here:

Removal of rear impact beam:

12mm socket - used my dewalt impact with socket adapter and that proved barely long enough to reach through the access holes in order to remove the four 12mm bolts on each side.

Notice the better view of the white grommet shown at the ORANGE ARROW as noted in post 1:


Vin number label/decal location:


anyways, from there ill be mounting a hitch that is 100% hidden and will have a 2 part receiver section he can keep in his trunk for when he needs it.

this is a test fit on his lexus is250 with the unit i have on my car.

that section will be hitch pin removable and only the mounted section will remain on the car completely unseen.

Done:

Anywho, my buddy is going to be getting a hitch bike rack like this:


This easily fold able style I recommend to him because once we reach our ride destination, he can easily remove and toss in the trunk, locked away, or if he wants, he can buy lockable hitch pins and leave it out.

He along with others have had there trunk mount bike racks stolen before!!!!

This is so far a fun project.......if there is a diy on rear bumper removal, i didnt find it, slammer1's post was the best i found that made it very easy......so i thought i would share some actual pics to let people know just how easy it actually is.

JasonZ-YA

- saving this one for more adds later...

JasonZ-YA

meh, just in case i may need one more...

mandyfig

Wow! Thanks a lot for the DIY. Hope not to use it, but if I find a reason, it is here! Very nice.

JasonZ-YA

pff, found this hitch rack for inexpensive:
http://www.harborfreight.com/two-bik...ack-98019.html

HF Item number 98019

-J

JasonZ-YA

Hidden Hitch installed! completely unseen. This part mates with a typical 1/2 inch hitch pin to an L-shaped hitch receiver that then allows my friend to mount his hitch mount bike rack.

had to cut out a section of the unseen undertray so that you can reach up and install the hitch pin.

it all worked out great!

-J



For future keyword searches:
is250 hitch
is350 hitch
IS 250 hitch
IS 350 hitch
Lexus hitch IS
Lexus Hidden hitch IS model
is model hitch

JasonZ-YA

Now, I'm working on one for my other co-worker's 92 Lexus GS300........

-J

carlos3366

very nice job. can you show exactly what the custom hitch looks like and exactly how you mounted it to the bumper. pics please.

Ksound

Where do you buy the black receiver part that you installed? Id like to do this mod.

jtsimaras

Sweet reminds me of my hidden hitch idea on my s2000.

davidkc

Does anyone have any more insight on this mod? Exactly what type of hitch was used and how was it modified? If anyone has any details, I would appreciate it? I would like to install a hitch just to haul around bikes, but I sort of want it invisible like this one

davidkc

Going once, going twice