Bad Toyota Design or Check Your Hitch
06-03-2005, 09:47 AM
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Bad Toyota Design or Check Your Hitch
So I looked inside the hitch, and found the inside damp and about a pound of loose rust floating inside. It appears water seeps in through the 2 holes on each side and never has the chance to evaporate. Looking inside with a flashlight I personally would not tow up to maximum recommended anymore 
It's drying out with a heat gun right now, and both holes will definitely be plugged up with some silicone and plastic plugs.
Picture speaks for itself.
It's drying out with a heat gun right now, and both holes will definitely be plugged up with some silicone and plastic plugs.
Picture speaks for itself.
06-03-2005, 12:00 PM
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That is a monster pile! Won't sealing the ends only make it worse though? The actual slot where the hitch goes is open and unable to seal, at least it is if you have a hitch in it or plastic cover with no gasket on it, so if water got in there it would have even less chance to evaporate which would make that even worse.
06-03-2005, 12:23 PM
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The cross-bar, to which the receiver is welded, is a solid piece of square tubing. It is vented only on the sides, through 2 holes, one of which is in the picture. I'd imagine that drying it out real good, then sealing it would be better than having almost standing water in there.
Funny thing is, I was even approached by a stranger once who asked where I got the hitch, because it doesn't have a spec of rust on the outside and most aftermarket rust through in no time.
Funny thing is, I was even approached by a stranger once who asked where I got the hitch, because it doesn't have a spec of rust on the outside and most aftermarket rust through in no time.
06-03-2005, 12:26 PM
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Yikes! Looks like I'll be checking mine tomorrow.
Although, since Toyota is such a great company, wouldn't we expect them to pick up the tab for damaged trailer/cargo should the hitch break? Or, would they deny any claim since I've added a wire for the trailer brakes?
Although, since Toyota is such a great company, wouldn't we expect them to pick up the tab for damaged trailer/cargo should the hitch break? Or, would they deny any claim since I've added a wire for the trailer brakes?
06-03-2005, 12:34 PM
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I just looked at my reciever hitch, and it doesn't look like yours, or else I am not looking at the same place as your photo.
My square cross beam is fully welded and sealed to the two arms which bolt to the frame. It does not bolt to the arms, it is welded to them. I see no holes whatsever in that square beam. Where exactly are you looking?
ICBW, but I believe my hitch is OEM.
My square cross beam is fully welded and sealed to the two arms which bolt to the frame. It does not bolt to the arms, it is welded to them. I see no holes whatsever in that square beam. Where exactly are you looking?
ICBW, but I believe my hitch is OEM.
Last edited by Unhappy99; 06-03-2005 at 12:37 PM.
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06-03-2005, 12:40 PM
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I doubt the hitch qualifies for the rust warranty. I'm more concerned about the situation when it can happen, such as hauling something very very heavy. It can easily end up in a wreck and loss of more than just some personal property.
It'd be interesting what you guys find out, as I don't live in a rainy climate, rarely hose it down, and generally keep it inside a dry garage.
It'd be interesting what you guys find out, as I don't live in a rainy climate, rarely hose it down, and generally keep it inside a dry garage.
06-03-2005, 12:45 PM
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Unhappy99, mine is OEM also. It is made of 3 pieces, the cross-bar, and 2 brackets which bolt to the frame and to the cross-bar. It came of a 1997 and was in good shape when I put it on about 2 years ago.
06-03-2005, 12:51 PM
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http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/..._hitch_gap.jpg
Here's a picture which is exactly like mine, a 3 piece. The bolts are visible.
Here's a picture which is exactly like mine, a 3 piece. The bolts are visible.
06-03-2005, 01:56 PM
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wow i'm glad i got the aftermarket reese hitch. I think its rated heavier but also the ends of that main shaft have 1/4" plate steel welded over the ends. With no way for any moisture to get in.
So as long as you get it really dry (like dry it out then let it sit in the A/C inside the house for a few days) then seal it up you shouldnt have a problem.
So as long as you get it really dry (like dry it out then let it sit in the A/C inside the house for a few days) then seal it up you shouldnt have a problem.
06-03-2005, 02:25 PM
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Instead of changing the design to a 1 piece they should of just not drilled those 2 holes.
Can't make that cool mod and invert the 1 piece for better departure angle.
Can't make that cool mod and invert the 1 piece for better departure angle.
06-03-2005, 02:59 PM
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Originally Posted by Unhappy99
I just looked at my reciever hitch, and it doesn't look like yours, or else I am not looking at the same place as your photo.
My square cross beam is fully welded and sealed to the two arms which bolt to the frame. It does not bolt to the arms, it is welded to them. I see no holes whatsever in that square beam. Where exactly are you looking?
ICBW, but I believe my hitch is OEM.
My square cross beam is fully welded and sealed to the two arms which bolt to the frame. It does not bolt to the arms, it is welded to them. I see no holes whatsever in that square beam. Where exactly are you looking?
ICBW, but I believe my hitch is OEM.
06-03-2005, 04:12 PM
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Mine's coming off this coming week...would getting it rhino lined make it hard to get the hitches in? They have "some" play in them as it is...
Mine doesn't have all that stuff in it, all it had was the lizard thats been living in my garage for 4 and a half years...its a big 'ole thing!
Fink
Mine doesn't have all that stuff in it, all it had was the lizard thats been living in my garage for 4 and a half years...its a big 'ole thing!
Fink
06-03-2005, 04:15 PM
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Originally Posted by 4x4Fink
Mine's coming off this coming week...would getting it rhino lined make it hard to get the hitches in? They have "some" play in them as it is...
Mine doesn't have all that stuff in it, all it had was the lizard thats been living in my garage for 4 and a half years...its a big 'ole thing!
Fink
Mine doesn't have all that stuff in it, all it had was the lizard thats been living in my garage for 4 and a half years...its a big 'ole thing!
Fink
06-03-2005, 04:58 PM
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if you like to go mudding, you should check the inside of your frame rails. After a few years of mudding in my taco, there was probably 1.5-2 inches of dried mud in each rail. I drilled a 1 inch hole near the rear spring mount parked on a slope and hosed the crap out of it...
Needless to say, i don't go mudding anymore.......
Needless to say, i don't go mudding anymore.......
