rear hitch removal

so i want to remove my rear hitch but leave the bumper on my 2011........is this possible, looks like its all one unit?

 

It's possible but I believe you need a spacer plate of some sort to take the place of the hitch where the bumper attaches to the frame.

Why do you want to get rid of it?

 

just wanna keep it away from salt in the winter and i can put it back on if needed......any idea where to get the spacer?

 

I'd have to crawl under my truck to see what the differences are, I can't remember exactly what's needed. I was going to suggest selling your hitch to someone who doesn't have one and take their plates as part of a trade but that won't work if you want to keep the hitch.

Maybe a junk yard? Look for a base model that's been totaled. Honestly though, if that's your only reasoning for removing it, I would just keep it on. That way you have it when you need it and it will add stiffness to the rear of the frame. It'll be just like the rest of your frame in regards to rust, you'll have to do touch ups as necessary but it won't just rust to crap on you anytime soon.

 

Both need to come off. I just did it. Its not too bad. Just 6 bolts (3 on each side) for the bumper and then like 3-4 on each side for the hitch

 

what did u replace it with?

 

But isn't there a spacer that'd be needed to reinstall the bumper without the hitch?

 

i think i know what you're talking about, im thinking if the hitch was there, then that center piece would be there too, here's what mine looked like when i took it off, are you talking about that piece i have lying there in the grass along with the cover plastic, it's on in the 2nd pic

 

Hard to see but yes, I think so. From what I've gathered, the receiver goes between the frame and the bumper mounts so if you remove the receiver, you need the base model brackets to take it's place. I could be wrong but I swear that was the case.

 

yea pugga, it looks like you're right, i didn't realize the hitch had that bracket attached to it, i was actually thinking something diff, but I knew there were two parts, and the top one, i think is where the bumper cover attaches to

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/bu...acoma-oem-tow-hitch-extras-350-obo-socal.html