Does anyone know where to purchase the mounting bolts for the trailer hitch on a 2000 4Runner? I took my hitch off to paint it and get rid of some rust and half of the bolts were almost rusted through.

Went by the dealer and they claim the bolts are unavailable without purchasing a complete hitch

Looking at the bolts, they are flanged head 12mm metric extra fine, also known as a jis flanged head bolt. No place I've looked in the US seems to stock them.

Anyone ever run into this problem and if so, where did you get replacement bolts?

 

I found replacement bolts at True Value, Lowes or Sears Hardware stores.

 

Yea, I found some at True Value. $2.75 each and they don't have an intregal washer. Looks like that's what I'll be using but I think I'll check the auto parts stores first since it seems a bit pricy for what should be a common and cheap bolt...

 

I haven't had a chance to look at mine, but I would guess that the intregal washer is probably there for ease of assembly at the factory. I would think any grade 5 bolt with washers would work, though you might want to spring for stainless so you don't have the same rust problem again.

 

I found some grade 8.8 bolts at the auto parts store but without the washers. The plating seems to be good qaulity on them so with a little anti-seize during assembly I'm hoping I can keep these from rusting...