Is a rear frame-mounted receiver hitch typically interchangable between a first generation 4Runner and similar model year truck? Are they different due to the different bumper mounting styles? The reason I ask is that I recently purchased a hitch which was supposed have come off of an '86 4Runner (only the frame was left) but it does not appear to have a clean mounting option for my '86 4Runner. I did not see it mounted to the old frame. The mounting bolts for my receiver are vertical while I noticed the bumper mounting bolts are horizontal in the frame. The bumper not original but it does appear to us factory mounting points. The online pictures I have found for 4Runner hitches appear as if they mount where the bumper does. My hitch looks more like a truck hitch. I am slighly confused since some sights list one part number for both vehicles. Should I be looking for a different style of hitch? and, if so, does anyone need one for a truck? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Thanks,
Isaac

I've had and installed 3 receiver hitches on 86's. They all mounted with horizontal bolts to the frame and were the same regardless of truck or 4runner. Don't know what you have, but it doesn't sound right.

Thanks.

x 2 with foxtrapper.

My 83 and 87 pups and my 99 4R all have the receivers mounted beneath the bumpers. My '86 has a dealer-installed tube bumper; vertical capacity of 2K, horizontal capacity of 4K. I towed the 83 home on a car dolly with the '86 just fine. Just kept the speed down to about 45-50 for the frost heaves.

The pretty chrome bumpers on these things just can't take a load; I simply believe they're hung on the trucks to simply meet state inspection requirements.

As an owner of the 'pretty chrome' (but weak) bumpers, I think I can shed some light on this. The bumpers themselves are plenty stout, especially the center section where the ball bolts to. The brackets, on the other hand, are flimsy and weak. The couple times I've dropped the back on the bumper, or backed into something, the bumper itself has held up fine, but the brackets tweaked/bent.

I've considered having some heavy duty brakets made up through emachineshop.com or something. I bet it would result in some good things.

That's a cool looking website....the '99 doesn't have rear tow hooks beneath... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Got me curious now; got a couple friends with tweaked bumpers; I'll hafta look.