Replacing Hitch Receiver??

So, as many of you likely experienced, my 2014 receiver is pretty rusted. I had to throw in a ball mount and openly slides in about half way and gets stuck. I had to hammer it in to get the pin in, then hammer it out from the other side.

any suggestions to level things out in there for a smoother transition? Or do I need a new hitch?

 

If the inside looks like that, what does the outside look like?

Then, you have to ask yourself, do I trust it?

I replaced mine with a Curt. Because I didn't trust it anymore.

If you're intent on cleaning up what you got, take the hitch off and clean the whole thing up with wire brushes on a drill, grinder. From there, you can decide whether it's solid enough to use.

Personally, my time is worth more than the time needed for a proper refinishing. I'd replace it. Be done with it and ease any concerns.

 

Id be more worried about what the rest of the frame looks like!

Jezus that looks bad.

 

I just put a brand new one on from etrailer.com. It was cheap and looks like it's built well. My new-to-me 2010 came with a brand new frame and no hitch. It took under and hour to install by myself, and only because some of the hardware was pretty stubborn and you have to loosen up the bumper brackets enough to make room to slide the hitch in. One of those projects that is both easy yet a pain in the ass, if that makes any sense. For what I paid for the new hitch, I would never spend the time trying to rejuvenate an old one that looks like yours- more trouble than it's worth, imo.

 

The supporting brackets looks weak, possibly the weld also. My suggestion like others have mention is to replace it.

 

Wire brush attachment for a sawzall could clean that out, if you think it might be worth the trouble.

If you're looking to spend much time wrenching on rusty chassis parts, one of these could become your best friend:

$180 Solary Magnetic Induction Heater Kit - 1000W 110V Induction Heat Bolt Removal Tool

www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0851C6Q22

 

frame looks fine. Hitch isn’t weak at all and all just surface rust. I just want to get it cleaned out enough to slide something in

 

nothing weak about it. Just surface rust

 

outside doesn’t look too bad. I mean it’s rusted but all surface rust. Regardless it’s gonna be a pain to remove. Did the replacement just use existing holes?

 

Man you salt states have an interesting definition of surface rust! That metal is bubbling and flaking, rust has invaded deeper than the surface.

You cant fit the hitch inside the receiver due to the expanding effect the rust has created as it has eaten the metal (making the hole smaller)

 

The hitch receive is pretty stout, I agree.

But once you grinding and scraping off all the rust from support bracket for the safety chain to hang on to, this may thin out the metal in this area.

 

looks like I lose quite a bit of towing capacity with the aftermarket hitches. Anything out there to maintain class IV?

 

https://www.etrailer.com/hitch-2014_Toyota_Tacoma.htm?&Redirect=8


Or source the exact hitch from Toyota.

 

Find a local wheeler who swapped to a high-clearance bumper, and see if they still have their OEM hitch, maybe?

Should be some manner of after-market class IV hitch available somewhere. I know U-haul shops sell (and often install) hitches for all kinds of vehicles.

 

I'd be curious to see some photos of the other areas on your hitch, especially up underneath and where it mounts to the frame. Speaking from firsthand experience and even just this one photo you've provided so far, I'll bet more than likely your hitch needs to come off and either be refurbished or replaced. I went through this same exercise a couple years ago (not long after I had my frame replaced) by pulling mine off and powder coating it. In addition, I also ended up replacing the bumper support beam and some of the fasteners from them being so rusted out. Looking back I wish I would've just replaced the hitch with a used takeoff that someone was selling (as @bmgreene alluded to).

From what I recall, and I'm betting it's still the same today, you won't find a cheap/aftermarket replacement Class IV hitch because it doesn't exist. OEM is your only option and the problem there is a new OEM hitch MSRP is well over $1k, so again, finding a used takeoff is your best bet. Another thing, if my memory serves me correctly the mounting configurations to the frame and bumper support beam are different between the Class III and IV hitches (I believe the Class III uses separate/additional brackets).

Below are some previous threads for your reference which might provide some additional insight and also make you rethink your "it's only surface rust" stance:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/process-to-replace-rusted-rear-bumper-support-with-pics.549906/

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...nd-bumper-cover-removal.556093/#post-18135245

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/factory-towing-hitch-bumper-replacement.729126/

 

honestly in MN, this isn’t considered that bad. It’s the usual and everyone tows 5500lb boats around here without issues. I know everyone is saying to replace, but if I can just make room in the receiver then I’d roll with that. The aftermarket hitch isn’t going to make the frame any better

 

I have a pretty clean takeoff OEM hitch but I don't want to mess with shipping. It's in Reno. If anyone is interested PM me.

 

Of course. It wouldn't be a replacement otherwise.

 

If the hitch still has it's integrity, I'd clean it up with a wire brush or wheel to the bare metal, prime it and paint it with black Rustoleum. If it's too rusted, I'd remove and buy an aftermarket hitch. I've done that before and it's an easy install.

 

I would worry more about the hitch chain(s) hook points on either side of the receiver more than the receiver itself. Yours look like they are tired. IMO, they are one of the most critical items in the system under there. If anything else fails and the hitch drops on the chains, they (the chains) are carrying the whole shebang/load that was on the hitch ball; hopefully long enough to get over to the shoulder and stopped. Those chains and their mounting/hook points (holes on either side) better be in good shape and in sound condition... (with the chains crossed under the hitch) ... or it's "Mr. Mayhem". (Love those ad's !!!)

If the rest of the truck is in good shape, I'd replace it: before the mounting points and hardware deteriorate to the point of no return. (have to use a torch to remove)