My 4runner did not have a trailer hitch as stock equipment. I bought one from this board, but do not have the plugs. Can anyone recommend anything? Should I get dealer? or the plugs you can get from an auto store?

Also, will it be difficult to install, or is there a place in a harness somewhere that I can simply plug in to?

Thanks

 

I got my wiring harness from etrailer.com. Its a simple t-connector so all you have to do is unplug and plug in. It runs out from the compartment on the right side. The problem that I have is I cannot find a way to run the wire out so what I do is run the wire out of the back and shut the backdoor over the wire. Works good but not ideal.

Its easy.

 

It shouldnt be that bad. I would reccomend getting the plug from pep boys, usually relatively cheap. You can then locte a wiring diagram, but generally on the green wire is right turn/brake lights which corresponds to a green w/yellow stripe wire in most toyotas, the yellow is left turn/brake lights which corresponds to green with black stripe in most toyotas, the brown is your tail lights for the trailer whch corresponds to the red w/green stripe on most toyotas and the white is your ground, which most people will run back to the ground in your truck, I just ground it somewhere n the frame that is out of the way. You can buy a Toyota wiring harness, or find these wires under your door sill, splice them, and run them out to the hitch. This is what I did for my electronic brake controller. Trailer wiring is not hard, but it can sometimes be a PITA, if you need anything else, let me know, I would check tho make sure the wires I listed are correct as some Toyota's have different colors. A good link is http://www.etrailer.com/faq/wiring.asp Check that otu too.
Jason

 

On 3rd gen Runners there is a grommet under neath the carpeting on the rear seat to allow wires to be run from the cab to outside. I would check that out, your setup doesnt seem very ideal, but hey, whatever gets it done for ya!

 

Forana, if you have a chance, could you find the part number for the harness you bought?

http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/me...egory_Code=VWH

JHupp, splicing is not difficult at all. You mentioned wires under the door sill - which door?

Thanks for the help.

 

On my '01 Runner all of the wires I needed were under the driver's side rear door sill. All of the wires will either be encased in a plastic sheathing or bound together. Just find the wires you need splice them, and run them under the carpet under the rear seats, through the grommet, and out to the hitch. I would just double check the wire colors, I have not done it in a while, and I dont exactly remember the colors.
Jason

 

Dude, did you follow the instructions on the website? Just select year, make and model and you're there. Only one option to select. 18341.

Don't splice, waste of time. You might also look at walmart. My friend found one cheaper there.

If you are running brakes on your trailer then its a whole different issue. If its is just simple lights then use the harness above.

Jhupp, thanks I will look for the plug. Yes as I stated above not ideal but it works.

 

The splicing for me only took about an hour, beats the 3-5 days waiting for the harness, and you still have to pull everything apart. I would splice, it would be less expensive, and if you started now you could have it doen today. Just use butt splice connectors and tape them over with electrical tape. The wiring harness is a little cleaner I guess, and a little easier for those not electrically inclined. Your choice, I never knew about the wiring harness, but give it a shot it will be a little easier.

 

Yes, I did follow the instructions, however, I need it ASAP because I have to pull a sailboat from Memphis to Nashville this weekend and would hate to have the wrong harness show up at my door. Stranger stuff has happened and I thought I would just verify it.

Thanks for the help. I might run by pep boys and advance to see if one of them has one. A friend of mine got something similar at advance.

 

yep I'm sure pep boys will have it. Takes about 10 minutes to install.

 

u-haul will do it for $40 bucks,,, takes less then a hr. i'd ask him to leave it long so you pull it up into the truck when not towing. i've ripped a bunch off wheelin before.

 

Update on this - I could not find a "plug and play" version anywhere locally. O'reilly, Autozone, Advance, Pep boys and wal mart all carry a "universal" version for any toyotas 95 and up, this would entail splicing, which isnt very difficult, but I would rather just have something that plugs in. I ended up ordering the same one as Forana and it was just under $40 and should be here today.

 

My guess is you should be able to plug it into the wires of your left rear light and run the wire under the plastic panel at the rear of the cargo area. There should be a place under there where you can run the wires through to the underside/outside of the truck.