What do I need to do to fix this tow connection. 2011 Tacoma

Howdy,

I broke this a few years ago driving off road and I'm finally getting to around to fixing this. 2011 Toyota Tacoma.

The tow connection broke. You can see the plate is all bent up and the plastic around the connection got all broken.

Anything I need to know before tackling this?

Thanks

 

If you buy the harness, it's plug n' play.
Not too hard.

Whether you NEED to fix it, is up to you.

 

I kept bending mine when off-roading. I bought an extension and moved it into the bumper.
(That hole below it is for air bag air valve.)

 

There is a ton of thread on this topic.

There is a disconnect from the main harness to the 7pin pig tail. Its easily removable from under the bumper.
Once removed you can fix it on a table/desk.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/fixing-7pin-trailer-cable-outlet.799174/

 

first, there's a relocate bracket to move it out of the way, so this does not happen

second, a kit can be bought
socket, pigtail, you name it

whether that's depin, and repin
to swap wires and terminals intact into another housing
or cut off, crimp, etc. depending on condition of the previous parts and if they're re-usable or not; sometimes they aren't even just from age and corrosion of water getting in there.

it's kind of a universal part, but you have to keep track of what color wire goes where as that can vary.

 

I did the same as Chuy a few years ago. Moved it into the bumper, although mine is on the drivers side. I don’t remember needing an extension, I think the pigtail was long enough. Go grab a new sharp hole saw, a little touch up paint for the bare metal after drilling and you’ll be set in no time! I wouldn’t mess with putting it down below the bumper again if you do any off-roading at all

 

Mine did the same thing, dangled for about a year till I got on my ass (literally) and did something about it. I like the installation Chuy did, clean and sensible. This was more of a quick fix that has worked fine but it's a little crude.

 

Below is link I used as inspiration. I have an air bag valve on the driver side, so got a 3-foot extension and relocated the connector on the passenger side. I also needed to file a half-inch guide channel for the connector to slip through the hole. That was pretty easy with a small square file. I don't remember what hole-saw size I used. I remember getting it at Home Depot and it cut through the thin bumper like butter.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/diy-relocate-trailer-harness.114216/