Towing Hitch Install, Please Help Options

[gswilder]

I spent about 2 hours tonight crawling under my Lexus and reading through these forums regarding an aftermarket hitch install on the GX470.

I have a new 2006 GX470, with KDSS, Navigation, and Mark Levinson. I am wanting to put a Class III type hitch on it.

It looks like there are a couple of aftermarket hitches that may work on the 2006.

Curt Mfg 13445 (I think U-Haul carries the same hitch with a different model)
Draw-Tite 75155

Here is my confusion.......

Under the Lexus, I can see the 3 predrilled frame bolts on each side. Two are close together and look larger like a 12mm bolt. On the driver side a tow hook is attached, which I assume I have to remove.

There is a another hole on the frame on each side about a foot farther back. Looks to be smaller like an 8mm bolte.

So do I just remove the tow hook, and torque down the 4 bolts that come with these 2 hitches?

It looks like only 3 predrilled holes on each side. However, some of the trailer hitch install instructions show 4 holes on each side. Could there be a difference for 2006?

Next issue regarding wiring. I do NOT need brake control, just lights. Most of the aftermarket sites say you have to hardwire. (some suggest a Modulite) However while under the Lexus, I found a couple of wiring connectors back around where the tow hitch would be connected. One was 3 connectors in a gray rubber sleeve. The other was a 5 or 6 connector in a round black type connector. Both were female I believe, and nothing was connected to them. I guess I can get out a voltage meter and check each connector while pressing the brake, turn signals, etc. However, does anyone know if these 2 connectors are prewired? If so, do I just need some kind of adapter? Again, I just have a simple (4 wire) trailer connector.

Sorry for the long post. But after reading through everything here, there seems to be a lot of confusion on the tow hitch on the GX470. I have installed several aftermarket hitches on my other Toyota vehicles. All were pretty simple. However, I don't want to order the wrong parts.

Thanks to all in advance.....

Greg

[gswilder]

Looks like the Curt Mfg 13445 will fit on the 06 GX470. Got back under tonight, and there are 4 holes on each side of the frame to attach the receiver hitch to. I also contacted Curt Mfg to confirm.

So still needing help with the electrical. How do I connect the wiring. Most of these I have installed have some kind of converter cable that plugs into the rear light wiring harnesses. As I said earlier, there are 2 connectors by the spare tire on the GX next to where the hitch would go. It really looks like a prewired trailer wiring harness, but how to confirm.

First black connector has 3 male plugs. It is about 1 inch wide and rounded. Could it be a electrical brake connector? The wiring into the plug is Blue, Black, and White/Blue.

Second plug is gray and actually has 4 female connectors. They are arrange 2x2. The connector is about 1" in diameter, although not perfectly round. The wiring into this plug is : Red/Yellow, Yellow, Blue/Red, Blue.

Before I mess something up or drag out the electrical voltmeter, does anyone know if the GX470 is already prewired? If these connectors are not for a trailer, what could they be for?

If I cannot use this, what other options have folks used to do the wiring. Again, I just have a simple 4 pin flat plug for my trailer. (no electrical braking - just 2 lights)

Thanks again

[funnypinkie]

Looks like the Curt Mfg 13445 will fit on the 06 GX470. Got back under tonight, and there are 4 holes on each side of the frame to attach the receiver hitch to. I also contacted Curt Mfg to confirm.

So still needing help with the electrical. How do I connect the wiring. Most of these I have installed have some kind of converter cable that plugs into the rear light wiring harnesses. As I said earlier, there are 2 connectors by the spare tire on the GX next to where the hitch would go. It really looks like a prewired trailer wiring harness, but how to confirm.

First black connector has 3 male plugs. It is about 1 inch wide and rounded. Could it be a electrical brake connector? The wiring into the plug is Blue, Black, and White/Blue.

Second plug is gray and actually has 4 female connectors. They are arrange 2x2. The connector is about 1" in diameter, although not perfectly round. The wiring into this plug is : Red/Yellow, Yellow, Blue/Red, Blue.

Before I mess something up or drag out the electrical voltmeter, does anyone know if the GX470 is already prewired? If these connectors are not for a trailer, what could they be for?

If I cannot use this, what other options have folks used to do the wiring. Again, I just have a simple 4 pin flat plug for my trailer. (no electrical braking - just 2 lights)

Thanks again

[funnypinkie]

Greg,

I'm trying to do exactly what you were trying to do a couple of years ago. Have you figured out what to do with the wire harness. Would you please give me some pointers. Thanks a lot

[mbj]

i purchased a used hitch from a wrecked 2003 4 runner (custom hitch for 75 dollars) and it fit my 2005 gx 470 no problem. nothing needed to be removed or drilled.i believe other years of 4 runner will work.

[funnypinkie]

i purchased a used hitch from a wrecked 2003 4 runner (custom hitch for 75 dollars) and it fit my 2005 gx 470 no problem. nothing needed to be removed or drilled.i believe other years of 4 runner will work.

mbj,

I know the hitch will fit without any problem. My concern is the wire harness. Do you have to do anything with it? My SUV came with the Tow Prep package so there are two wire connections near the spare tire as described earlier in the post by Greg. Thanks.

[mkupchyk]

I am curious about this as well, my 2004 has a square plate underneath the back bumper in front of the spare, I assume this is where I bolt on a hitch that then curves under the back and sticks out to attach whatever I am towing to? I have to look if there is electrical down there too.

Maybe the local Lexus dealer's service dept. could answer this for us?

[mhill]

Following up on the last post from Aug'08...
If you are still working on this, I can tell you that about a year ago I purchased a new Draw Tite model: DT-75155 and easily installed on my '05 GX470. It attached on the sides (frame rails) but did not bolt to the middle rear plate. I think I remember having to remove a tow hook to free up a bolt hole. The wiring harness simply plugged right in to the pre-wired GX. It is my understanding (from the dealer) that all GX's are pre-wired for trailer hook-ups.

[jsantos615]

Hey guys -

there is a plug under the driver's side toward the rear wheel that is designed for the factory 7-pin wire harness. The harness is available at Sewell for about $200-$300. To make it work, you'll need a relay for the front and a big green relay installed in the back, under the trim panel, by the drivers side brake light. you can get the front relay at a Toyota dealer for a reasonable price, but I got my rear relay from Sewell. Doing the electrical this way will my your GX trailer wiring pretty much the way it would have come from the factory.

I don't know what the part numbers are, but Sewell faxed me a diagram that had all of the part numbers that I needed, along with their installation locations.

I DO know that the front relay is this one: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...em=110287852710

[gx470wtm]

I'm brand new at this AND just bought an '05 GX. Can someone tell me how to remove the small hitch cover. There are 4 blue tabs behind the bumper. I want to remove the receiver platform that is bolted on the bumper. If I pull out the blue tabs, how do they go back in? I don't want to screw something up getting it apart. Never been on a forum before either. Can you tell?

[RogerBoyd]

I spent about 2 hours tonight crawling under my Lexus and reading through these forums regarding an aftermarket hitch install on the GX470.

I have a new 2006 GX470, with KDSS, Navigation, and Mark Levinson. I am wanting to put a Class III type hitch on it.

It looks like there are a couple of aftermarket hitches that may work on the 2006.

Curt Mfg 13445 (I think U-Haul carries the same hitch with a different model)
Draw-Tite 75155

Here is my confusion.......

Under the Lexus, I can see the 3 predrilled frame bolts on each side. Two are close together and look larger like a 12mm bolt. On the driver side a tow hook is attached, which I assume I have to remove.

There is a another hole on the frame on each side about a foot farther back. Looks to be smaller like an 8mm bolte.

So do I just remove the tow hook, and torque down the 4 bolts that come with these 2 hitches?

It looks like only 3 predrilled holes on each side. However, some of the trailer hitch install instructions show 4 holes on each side. Could there be a difference for 2006?

Next issue regarding wiring. I do NOT need brake control, just lights. Most of the aftermarket sites say you have to hardwire. (some suggest a Modulite) However while under the Lexus, I found a couple of wiring connectors back around where the tow hitch would be connected. One was 3 connectors in a gray rubber sleeve. The other was a 5 or 6 connector in a round black type connector. Both were female I believe, and nothing was connected to them. I guess I can get out a voltage meter and check each connector while pressing the brake, turn signals, etc. However, does anyone know if these 2 connectors are prewired? If so, do I just need some kind of adapter? Again, I just have a simple (4 wire) trailer connector.

Sorry for the long post. But after reading through everything here, there seems to be a lot of confusion on the tow hitch on the GX470. I have installed several aftermarket hitches on my other Toyota vehicles. All were pretty simple. However, I don't want to order the wrong parts.

Thanks to all in advance.....

Greg

[RogerBoyd]

I'm sure that by now you have successfully wired your trailer hitch. Any chance you can share how you did it? All I need are trailer lights.

[jose_m2003GX]

I did install Curt Mfg 13445 on my Gx 470 yesterday. two issues poped up.

1) The cover for trailer wire connector (First black connector next to the spare wheel, 1 inch wide and rounded) is blocked by the hitch and it cannot be opened unless I remove the connector itself and fix it somewhere else.

2) Lower cover on Rear bumper, right above the hitch receiver cannot be installed back, looks like the top portion of the hitch receiver doesn't give enough room for it to go in back to the original position.

Anyone who used Curt hitch faced this issue ?