Hey guys sorry to bother everyone, but i have been searching high and low and i cant seem to find a picture of how a tow hitch mounts to a stock first gen runner. I am looking to find a used hitch or one out of a junkyard. would a hitch of off a second gen p/u work? From what i have seen the body mounts would get in the way of a normal mount, and the stock 4runner bumper mounts to the body so how do you guys have your hitches mounted?

 

They bolt to the frame. Take a look at your frame rails in the rear, on the outside part, near the bumper. There should be at least 2 threaded holes there, for bolts to hold a tow hitch to.

This is how mine is mounted on my 87, and how my buddy's was mounted on this 97 (I helped him mount it).

I would search for aftermarket hitches and see what compatibility they have with 1st gens and other 4runners/trucks to see what model years would have overlap.

 

Most Hitch brackets mount to the same holes as the bumper on a 87.

Just where do you live Getting the old bolts out can be a real pain if your in the great salt belt.

Easy to make your own receiver hitch.

If you buy a used one make sure all the bolts are loose or you will never get it to line up

 

Hi foppert.
Yah like those guys said, the factory hitch slides into the framerails, and has two bolts on either side; one that goes all the way through and has a separate nut, and a shorter one that goes into a welded bung on the hitch itself. I will be outside today working on my junk, including the tow hitch; if you need some pics I will take some for ya. Its really straight forward though.

EDIT:
Just noticed that you didnt say if you were looking at a factory hitch or aftermarket. Mine is factory. I'll get some pics up for ya in a few hours.

 

Thanks jumper_bob, pictures would be great.

 

This is the factory hitch that i took off my '87 4runner when i put the tube bumpers on.

 

Hey maco35, thanks alot man that was really helpful. Are there two mount holes on the brackets that go into the frame? From the pictures i can only see one.

 

Yes there are two mount holes on each bracket, is just the angle of the pic. you can't see the other two.

 

where can i find a tow hitch for my 1984 4runner?

 

Have you tried etrailer?

 

Mine eventually came from craigslist, I'd try fb marketplace.

 

etrailer is good. I have bought a Curt hitch from them. Iirc, it was for an 87 and up 4runner. They didn’t have earlier because of the rear bumper differences. But if you are comfortable modifying it, or maybe don’t have a rear bumper, the later one can work.