1st Gen Tacoma factory trailer hitch

Ok, so I’m finally adding a trailer hitch to my ‘04 Tacoma and I really want to use a factory Toyota piece. I’ve found a new, never installed hitch for !CHEAP!, problem is it doesn’t have the side plates- that’s why it’s so cheap Anyway, has anyone ever found a source for these? The dealer says they’re not available separately.

 

What does it take to fabricate side plates?

 

They don’t make the side plates separate. Don’t mess around with some unknown hitch, or partial hitch or fabricating an hitch anything else. You can get a new hitch for about $180. Just get a new hitch. If you can’t afford a new hitch then you probably can’t afford to tow anything anyway.

 

I paid $190 installed for just a regular Reese hitch and wire kit.
Nothing special about oem. It’s a small truck. get new, move on

 

It would be really easy for me to fabricate the side plates. If I could find one old rusty side plate for a template that would be fine too. I have the steel and for $25 for the main part of the hitch I’d be set.

 

You must be young, it’s less time and money to buy once cry once.

 

Well I guess I’ll have to make my own pattern from the bumper bracket. And, no, not young, but I am frugal. Why piss away money needlessly?