Front Receiver Hitch

[Vegas Runner]

Has anyone heard of a maker of front receiver hitches for the 4th gen 4runners? I have looked at Reese, Hidden Hitches, and Draw-Tite but have not found any. They have them for the Sequoia, Tundra, and Tacoma but not the 4runner. Thanks, Ed.

[bulldog]

Not as far as I can remember unfrotunately. You might have to look at a custom fab job.

[Vegas Runner]

Not as far as I can remember unfrotunately. You might have to look at a custom fab job.

I am considering that but I want to make sure the forces are well thought out. Anyone can weld something up but it another story to know how to calculate the forces.

[Vegas Runner]

BTW - since my last post I have also looked at Curt and Valley Industries.

[bulldog]

I am considering that but I want to make sure the forces are well thought out. Anyone can weld something up but it another story to know how to calculate the forces.

Very true!! Especially the frame mount will be important.

[AlexJet]

I was looking for front receiver couple month ago. All my research finished to fabricate one. I talked to nearly every company who does these things and all of them told me the same thing: "No demand". Looks like only a few owners are interested in it.

BTW, after doing my research, I came up to an idea. The closest match is 3rd Gen. Front Tow Hitch from WARN. Therefore you have to cut the ends and weld new brackets to the frame, then cut the central part of lower grille and you have your hitch. I hope this will help you.

[Blowout]

Has anyone found a front hitch for the 4th gen yet?

I was told $500 for custom from a local trailer and hitch shop.

[CJ3Flyr]

Here's one... http://www.curtmfg.com/
http://fileresource.sitepro.com/filemanager/66/filecollections/244/08D5FA90-18F8-3D09-5A03-D06913CCAC0B.pdf

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37016 :bigok:

[Vegas Runner]

Nice Find

[Blowout]

Very cool! Just what I was looking for. The only thing is I have a 2006 and this hitch indicates it is for a 2007-2008. Anyone know why it would not fit a 2006?

[AlexJet]

Very cool! Just what I was looking for. The only thing is I have a 2006 and this hitch indicates it is for a 2007-2008. Anyone know why it would not fit a 2006?

Should do, as bumper was changed in 2006 and then remain the same. It may also fit 2003-05, but may or may not need some trimming. In any case it's plastic, so no worries to trim it.

[my034runner]

So how exactly do you all plan to adapt this front hitch with our Shrockworks or ARB bumpers???:poke: :poke:

[Blowout]

I don't have the SW bumper, so this looks like an option for me.

I came up with a concept to adapt the SW front bumper to have a front hitch. When I ran it by SW , they said there were no guarantees because the winch would be mounted on an extension in front of the bumper that would add forces not considered in their bumper design. SW recommended buying a second winch for the rear instead.

The information on the front hitch by Curt shows maximum angles for winching with their hitch. It would appear prudent to use these same constraints when winching with the design I proposed to SW. 45 degrees LT or RT, 15 degrees up or down. This is at the maximum line pull rating of 9000lbs.

I really want to have the capability to move the winch from the front to the rear depending on circumstances. I seem to get my nose into things and need to go backwards half the time... this happens off roading as well :o:

For $150 from etrailer (shipping at N/C), the Curt front hitch looks like it could do the job at a reasonable price.

I think the only reason Curt Mfg only shows the 4R 2007/2008 is because it is the same hitch for the FJ Crusier 2007/2008. Just a guess.

I'm going to order it and will see if it works out :D

[Vegas Runner]

When you do the install please take some pictures of the hitch and the attachment points so we can all see what it is mounted to.

[AlexJet]

I really want to have the capability to move the winch from the front to the rear depending on circumstances. I seem to get my nose into things and need to go backwards half the time... this happens off roading as well :o:

You should consider that adding a winch to hitch mount on front will decrease your approach angle nearly to nothing. Another thing is that if get in trouble, you may not have room to put a winch in that receiver, so you would need to install it before taking the obstacle, and you coming to first issue again.

[MAC4Runner]

You can find some pics on a 2007 from HitchesOnline here: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=37016

[4x4v8]

You should consider that adding a winch to hitch mount on front will decrease your approach angle nearly to nothing. Another thing is that if get in trouble, you may not have room to put a winch in that receiver, so you would need to install it before taking the obstacle, and you coming to first issue again.

That could be an issue.

Jeep guys retrofit their winches into their stock bumpers.
Could this be done on the 4runners? Is there enough room?
http://jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=2001
http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=12716
You cant move it around to the rear, but maybe a winch could fit in/on/under the stock bumper. But most people who offroad will get a metal bumper anyways...just an idea.

[AlexJet]

That could be an issue.

Jeep guys retrofit their winches into their stock bumpers.
Could this be done on the 4runners? Is there enough room?
http://jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=2001
http://www.jk-forum.com/showthread.php?t=12716
You cant move it around to the rear, but maybe a winch could fit in/on/under the stock bumper. But most people who offroad will get a metal bumper anyways...just an idea.

It's possible. If you want, I can do it for you.

[4x4v8]

It's possible. If you want, I can do it for you.

Has anyone done it on a 4th gen 4runner? I dont think I have seen any yet. Instead of buying a comealong or hilift, to get me out of sticky situations, maybe Ill just go this route. But first things first, I need tires. Maybe Ill look more into this in the winter time when I have more available cash...

[Blowout]

I was thinking of securing the winch inside the vehicle and not traveling with it in the front or rear hitch. I would most likely make an open box that holds the winch cradle and the box is secured to the anchor points in the rear. The winch cradle would be secured in the box. This would keep the additional weight off the front and rear of the vehicle. Just don't want a winch flying around the cab.:shocked:

- If The vehicle is nosed into trouble, chances are it will need to be backed out. If you are not able to get to the front end of the vehicle to insert the winch, you probably can't extract the vehicle that way either. A front bumper mounted winch would not help in a situation where the front of the vehicle is pressed up against an object.

- If the vehicle is stuck in a crossing (rock, ditch, water), you should be able to get to the front or rear to insert the winch.

- Pulling someone else out of their situation a front mount would be desireable and would not be an issue.

One issue is keepng the electrical connections high enough for water crossings with the winch being mounted low on a hitch. It would be required to have a 3 way electrical switch - one side front, one side rear and center off. Would not want to make a live connection when wet.

When rock crawling it would also be desireable to have the winch mounting point somewhat higher because of the chances of getting in a position and not being able to mount the winch on that end.

The big advantage is being able to winch from either end without the investment or weight of carrying 2 winches. Front end would be much lighter. This hitch weighs 35lbs, SW bumper adds ~100 lbs. Winch weighs 80-90lbs. Potential 150lb reduction of weight would decrease bottoming out the front end.

When I get the hitch, I will take lots of pics of the install. CJ3Flyr provides a link that shows the hitch mounting points.

Now to buy the winch, cradle, switch and cabling! Hmmm...second battery:)

[AlexJet]

Has anyone done it on a 4th gen 4runner? I dont think I have seen any yet. Instead of buying a comealong or hilift, to get me out of sticky situations, maybe Ill just go this route. But first things first, I need tires. Maybe Ill look more into this in the winter time when I have more available cash...

There was a company in 2003. They've build 3 expedition 4Runners (I think all 3 silver). I've seen that at least one was sold to the private guy and he used it for his personal purposes. They are not in business now, but it was done and I know how to do it.

[4x4v8]

There was a company in 2003. They've build 3 expedition 4Runners (I think all 3 silver). I've seen that at least one was sold to the private guy and he used it for his personal purposes. They are not in business now, but it was done and I know how to do it.

So they put the winch inside the bumper and cut out the front of the bumper for the winch line to come out?

[AlexJet]

So they put the winch inside the bumper and cut out the front of the bumper for the winch line to come out?

Yes. There was an experiment. They've done it, but market wasn't ready for it at that time, so they droped that idea. I've been doing numbers of mods on my truck and know it very well, so I know how to do it.

[4x4v8]

Yes. There was an experiment. They've done it, but market wasn't ready for it at that time, so they droped that idea. I've been doing numbers of mods on my truck and know it very well, so I know how to do it.

:bow: After I get the tires, I will let you know when im ready for it. Im really starting to think about modding the 4runner now that I know that I wont be selling it any time soon...

[Blowout]

QUOTE=AlexJet;40214]Yes. There was an experiment. They've done it, but market wasn't ready for it at that time, so they droped that idea. I've been doing numbers of mods on my truck and know it very well, so I know how to do it.[/QUOTE]


I was measuring behind the stock bumper for placement of a 24x6" air tank, but there are some what appears to be airconditioner tubes that would interfer. Have you considered these in your bumper modification for the winch?

I would be interested in having the hitch positioned high enough to exit behind the license plate and put on a spring loaded license plate that would just pull down when you wanted to insert into the hitch. Maybe I can mount this hitch upside down???

[chazz]

i was even wondering about moding the brackets (shortening just the ones that bolt to frame) on the front receiver to raise it up putting it behind the lowest portion on bumper cover & cutting a 2 in square hole for the reciver itself. anybody tried this? alexjet, what do you think?

[AlexJet]

i was even wondering about moding the brackets (shortening just the ones that bolt to frame) on the front receiver to raise it up putting it behind the lowest portion on bumper cover & cutting a 2 in square hole for the reciver itself. anybody tried this? alexjet, what do you think?

Canbe done, just take time, and you have to do it right.