skrypj

That too. I've whacked my hitch a few times offroad. They could easily move the receiver itself up an inchand the sides up 2-3" though. Like I dont understand why there is two plates sandwiched between the receiver and the crossmember on the frame to drop it down.

Train45

interesting, i do some mild offroading, is the spare tire still the lowest point behind the axle?

trent

So, as some has mentioned the tow hitch receiver is available again for our trucks. A couple of my local dealers have them in stock for about the $660 to $725 price range which is reasonable. The problem is they want about $700 to $750 for the installation which seems very high. I was told it’s about 4 hours labor, even the Toyota dealership quoted me the same price for labor. Does this seem high to you guys, and is the receiver that difficult to install?

AlexDev

I recently purchased a new GX in Nov, and luckily worked in a free hitch into the deal. But my finance guy did say that the amount of hours to install is a lot for the job (standard across Lexus dealers), so they couldn’t throw that in. There’s a couple vids on YouTube for installation. Grab a cold one, and find 2 hours of free time, it’s a relatively easy install.

jlficken

Order from Bell Lexus here for $520 (free shipping with SHIPLEXUS code) - https://parts.belllexusnorthscottsda...t22860141.html

If you have a set of wrenches, ratchet and sockets, a floor jack or a helper, and a torque wrench you can do it yourself. Get some copper anti-seize as well for all of the bolts.

I went through them but used eBay for mine so it cost me $610 delivered. Direct is a better dealer, however, they didn't have that option at the time.

Alche

@ train45 i think the front of the spare tire is still lower than anything the hitch does.

@ trent As for installing it, the youtube video above is pretty much it along with the instructions found online. the torque value for the m12 bolts are a bit of a mystery as i found some literature saying 65 ft lbs and another one from sewell lexus saying its 60 ft lbs for different years.

i removed the spare since more room for you to crawl under there.. you dont even need to lift the truck to install it. I was able to do it myself with some boxes and two sissor jacks. i put the boxes on the floor, put the scissor jacks holding the two sides of the hitch and slid it under the car. I lifted the hitch it as close as it would get to the side mounting bolts. threaded one side in a few threads, then moved on to the other side.. the left side was a bit more difficult since you reuse the tow hook/strap that you took off, but if you have something to shim or jack it high enough, one person can definitely do it. After you get the sides started, then put the shim plates in while the sides are still loose, and then follow the torquing order on the instructions.

I did remove the exhaust off the hanger as i have the tool for that as well. on amazon, this tool is less than 20 dollars. I wouldn't say its worth 7-750 in labor, but to each their own.. i would say it took me... ~2-2.5 hrs myself, but i took my time every step and torqued with a torque meter and etc.You would need a breaker bar also as the bolts holding the existing tow hook are on there pretty tight.

leetdan

Seconding this. My install took under two hours - I completely removed the spare, used an exhaust hangar tool as mentioned, and was flying solo. I have a creeper so I was able to rest the bulk of the hitch on my stomach, roll into position, and start the small bolts enough to take up the weight. Everything else I can think of has already been mentioned.

ICSFSEDoD

Anyone got a link for the exhaust hanger tool available on amazon that was mentioned?

Nevermind, found it.

KPLexusGX

My local dealer, whom I just bought my new GX from in Dec…said they are starting to get the new hitch in…and quoted me $1390 installed ! Wow! 😮 I told him, they are too expensive.

FastTurtle

FastTurtle

Maybe someone here is working for a dealership. Trying to take advantage of supply and demand.

No need to hide the dealership’s name under “local dealer” lol

evilfij

The hours of labor to install is insane. The installed prices look like four hours of labor (or at least 3)

Any competent mechanic could do it in an hour, probably 30 minutes and charge an hour. I know I could do it in an hour (probably less) laying on the ground from watching the install video, but I am a DIY guy. If I had not bought the Curt, id order from Bell at $520, but I don’t mind the Kurt (the genuine lexus hitch plug I bought from Bell makes it look factory) and I don’t see myself towing anything (let alone something where the extra 1500lbs would matter). I just wanted a hitch receiver in case I had to pull something out with a tow strap. If you just want a hitch, anyone can install the Kurt in 10 minutes and that is dropping the spare a bit. Without that it’s 5 minutes.

AlexDev

Speaking for myself, “local dealer” is code for “I don’t want anyone ahead of me on the waitlist for my damn hitch.”

Extract0r

Question for the exhaust hanger. Once you detach the exhaust, is there enough slack so that the exhaust just hangs down with enough clearance to fit a torque wrench? Should I support the exhaust tip with a floor jack while tightening the bolts on the right side?

Thanks!

FastTurtle

I see your point. Good luck getting the damn hitch 👍🏼