hello and happy 4th everyone!

i bought a factory hitch for my '88 4runner from a fellow forum member a while ago and have cleaned it up a bit and hit it with some paint.

also got some new hardware/bolts and washers for the install.

i removed the bumper and found where to slide the hitch into the frame rails but it seems like i need another inch or so... meaning it gets wedged between the end of the frame and partly into the rails.

i can't get the thing in there.

anyone have any tricks???

i don't have any pics because i was working on a tight time schedule and had to remove the hitch and replace the bumper before having to leave for the day.

any help/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

joel

 

if u don't have any BL ur gonna have to remove the tailgate to get it in probably at least i had to. There are only 4 bolts that hold it on. 2 with bolt directly into the hitch and 2 bolts that have nuts i believe all the bolts pass through the frame. it slides and bolts right in if its the right hitch all 4 bolts light up.

 

tanker,

thanks for the info!

i didn't get any notification that you had replied - doh.

thanks again.

joel

 

I don't know which is why I am asking, but does those hitches slide into the frame rails or get bolted to the outside of them? I was under the impression they bolt to the outside of the rails between what would be the bumper and the frame.

 

On the outside but two bolts go through frame and into nuts on removable plates that go inside the frame made specifically for the hitch.

:wabbit2:

 

^^^

correct!

now, to find the time and git r done

joel

 

It sounds to me hes trying to slide it on the inside of the frame rails if so that might be his problem.

 

i take tanker's advice and remove the tailgate.

joel

 

it bolts to the outside of the frame rails for a reason, I would bolt it up the way it was meant to bolt it up. I don't see how a body lift affect anything related to a trailer hitch or the tailgate when the thing is supposed to slide up not forward. But your having a problem putting it on for a reason and that reason is it's not supposed to slide inside the frame rail.