Receiver Hitch

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I have an 83 Toyota 4wd pickup that I'd like to attach a Class II receiver to for the purpose of towing a small trailer with a couple kayaks.  I have a 220v mig that I consider myself fairly competent with, and a modest assortment of fabrication tools.  However, I lack the knowledge of how to safely fabricate something that's going to be flying down I-10 at 75 mph...ok, ok, it's an '83 pickup with a 4 cylinder, so more like 60 mph.  So I've decided to take the project to a local welding shop, but I'm not familiar with any of the local shops here in Tucson.  Can anyone make any suggestions about key safety points regarding receiver fabrication so I can know beforehand if the job's going to be done right?  Basic things to look out for?  Alternatively, if there is any forum member local to Tucson (or nearby) that would like some extra work, I'll gladly pay to have this done right.Oh, the kid I bought the truck from back in Houston told me he used to tow with it all the time, but when I got home I smacked it a couple times with a 6 lb sledge and it broke right off Chris.
Reply:Thank you for knowing your limits. Too many come here and think they'll just "slap" something together. Could check with the local mechanics. They may know who to go to. Toyota forums? Maybe someone could point you to a factory/ aftermarket one? Any reason a store bought won't work?200amp Air Liquide MIG, Hypertherm Plasma, Harris torches, Optrel helmet, Makita angle grinders, Pre-China Delta chop saw and belt sander, Miller leathers, shop made jigs etc, North- welders backpack.
Reply:First let me congratulate you about your decision, doing so save life of others and save yourself from legal proceeding in front of the court if anything wrong happen. Having an invoice which proves that you paid a certified welder to build your hitch may help in front of a court. However this kind of work is rather expensive than what you can get on the market. The least expensive option is Craig Lists or Junkyard. I find an OEM hitch for my Jeep in good condition for $75, just clean it put 2 coats of rust proof paint and he look brand new!  Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:What Oldskull said, and I'd add to put an ad up on yotatech.com thats how I got the hitch for my '92 SR5 4x4.
Reply:If you have a shop make you one, ask them if they can make a bolt-on unit. I always prefer to make, or install a bolted hitch. There will still be welded joints carrying the weight, but a bolted hitch will retain the integrity of your truck frame, should the hitch require any further "service".Last edited by tanglediver; 07-08-2012 at 04:17 PM.City of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:An aftermarket bolt-on should be available on ebay for $130 or so.
Reply:Originally Posted by tanglediverIf you have a shop make you one, ask them if they can make a bolt-on unit. I always prefer to make, or install a bolted hitch. There will still be welded joints carrying the weight, but a bolted hitch will retain the integrity of your truck frame, should the hitch require any further "service".
Reply:Toyota sells a real nice  receiver hitch at the dealers... $170 or so  as I recall. Bolt in  Install took this old man only about a long hour. Looks real good rides way up not hanging down much.  Works great on my Tacoma.  I don't pull tanks but small artillery guns... sureps: Toyotas never break, buy one and you're good to go for a long long time.Last edited by PapaLion; 07-08-2012 at 04:57 PM.Lincoln Power MIG 215Lincoln WeldPak 3200HDLincon ProCut 25Lincoln WeldanPower 225 AC/DCIf all else fails... buy more tools
Reply:Originally Posted by OldSkullFirst let me congratulate you about your decision, doing so save life of others and save yourself from legal proceeding in front of the court if anything wrong happen. Having an invoice which proves that you paid a certified welder to build your hitch may help in front of a court. However this kind of work is rather expensive than what you can get on the market. The least expensive option is Craig Lists or Junkyard. I find an OEM hitch for my Jeep in good condition for $75, just clean it put 2 coats of rust proof paint and he look brand new!
Reply:Originally Posted by stevewmH'mm, I am not so sure that a receipt from a junkyard for a scrapped hitch would carry much weight in court for a determined litigator, especially of the factory ratings and brands were gone or covered up with paint.
Reply:Alright, thanks for everyone's advice, I decided to try to find an aftermarket bolt on unit.  I searched pretty thoroughly but couldn't find anything from the big name manufacturers made for anything older than an '84.  I don't know if there's a drastic difference in the frames from 83 to 84 or what.  I did however find a class I bolt on from u-haul that I put on order.  I'm hoping it fits well, but I have my doubts that the sales rep knew what he was talking about since I couldn't find one from any other source.  If it doesn't work out I'm back to square one.  Marlin Crawler offers a rear tube bumper that has a built in receiver.  On their website they say it could "in theory" tow a variety of trailers, but that it's not rated.  I don't know if that would be a good idea or not.  The kind of trailer I'm looking at is going to weigh in around 200-300 lbs, and say another 200 lbs for the kayak and other gear.  What do you guys think?  Here's a link to the Marlin Crawler bumper.  http://www.marlincrawler.com/armor/r...r-hilux-trucksChris.
Reply:You figure it out Bob thank you!  You can find many wrecker Toyota pickup in junkyard or at used car parts resellers, getting one should be easy since I never seen one of those pickup not having one....$75 for the hitch fix with grade 5 or 8 set screws OEM design for 1983 Toyota is the best deal he can find. Nobody can build one for that cheap....Well maybe Chinese...Oups: the OP already answer ...No 83 hitch in Junkyard or used parts resellers? Go to aToyota dealer and ask them what they use on 1983 and check the part number  who knose if they fit the same hitch to 84 and up....Last edited by OldSkull; 07-10-2012 at 02:50 PM.Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:Hi Oldskull, I called Precision Toyota's parts dept here in Tucson, guy said they didn't have anything for that old of a vehicle.  I also talked to a local bumper shop and truck outfitter shop, in addition to searching online.  Couldn't find anything from the big names like curt, reese, drawtite, et cetera.  The more I think about it, the more I feel comfortable with the Marlin rear bumper with it's built in receiver.  When those guys put winches in the receivers for vehicle recovery, they easily see at least the vehicle's weight or more horizontally, and I'm never going to tow more than 600 lbs total with it.  I would expect a tongue weight of much less than 100 lbs.  If I'm using skewed reasoning, someone correct me.Chris.
Reply:I wouldn't think twice about using Marlin's bumper, those guys make good stuff.
Reply:You might try e-bay for one if no luck there try U-haul I have bought hitches from them in the past.
Reply:I was surprise to learn that! I can't find anything for 1978 to 1983 third generation of Toyota pickup! Nothing! Then I remember what they use to do in those year! I work for Toyota Canada in 1981 and I remember the white IGLOO pickup I use to park in the yard got so much fun doing little off road with those...They got rear step bumper and a ball screw right in the center like all half ton pickup use to have! Make me wonder...Maybe you can just fit a receiver box like the one Curt sell under yours if your bumper and fixing points are in good shape, it's cheap and easy to install....http://www.thehitchstore.com/hitch-b...jd53mf5vc4vr71Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:I have to imagine that your truck would be an easy access vehicle for a hitch build. The core of any receiver is the "combo bar" which is little more than a 2.5" tube that has been cleaned out of all internal weld metal.http://www.etrailer.com/Hitch-Access...ese/11029.htmlI put one on my '73 which already had a 'c' channel bumper by cutting a square hole in the face, and making one cross member at the forward end of the combo bar. Attached ImagesCity of L.A. Structural; Manual & Semi-Automatic;"Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore."Job 28:1,2Lincoln, Miller, Victor & ISV BibleDanny
Reply:We talking about pretty light duty here (600lbs) Even a Prius hitch is already overkill for the job! I'm not familiar with US transport code but I ask a US custom officer long ago what he was looking for wen he inspect my hitch, his answer was "As long you got one bolt to fix your hitch to the frame I let you past  In brief if the weld part done to the frame broke the bolt act like a safety to old the hitch. That's why I suggest the plate instead of a combo bar to him but if he fixes a cross member plate with bolts to the frame and welds the combo bar on is it legal? Look like another cheap solution to me! PS:ARexpat I like the bumper but it's an expensive solution for a 83 truck, only you know if he fit your budget and your needs.Miller MM211Esab Mini Arc 161LTSEsab Handy Plasma 380Duck tapeTy- rapKool-aid
Reply:based on the load, you're probably safe with the bumper mounted hitch. at that point it's more about the mounting hardware and condition of the truck frame. that old of a vehicle could have some rot on the frame that is pretty substantial.There are no problems. There are only solutions. It's your duty to determine the right one.Hobart Handler 210Airco 225 Amp MSM Stinger
Reply:Thanks for all the great replies, guys.  I appreciate everybody's input.  Well, the problem was solved this morning for me (sort of).  On the way home from work today, 3rd gear let go, so this truck is going to be parked for a bit while I build a new tranny for it.  So I went and picked up an 03 ford ranger with a hitch ball on the bumper.  That'll get me by in the meantime.  I'm going to plan on getting that marlin rear bumper with the built in receiver eventually.  The old rear bumper is tweaked from trail riding anyways.  Luckily, U-Haul called and said they actually don't make the hitch that I had ordered in the first place, so lucky me, I'm gonna get my deposit refunded.  And as for the frame of the truck, it's spotless as far as rust goes, kinda surprising for a truck that came from the gulf.Chris.
Reply:Let me know if you want to look at building a reciever still. I am more than confidant in my abilitys. Can cut parts on my CNC plasma, and can fab up the reciever fairly quick. And it would be a bolt on deal. I don't mind doing it, although I tend to stay away from trailers and hitches, as most people want them to tow 35ft toy haulers. And even though I trust me ability. I don't trust other peoples common sence. But for a light duty application I would do it. If your intrested shoot me a message, and we can talk. I cannot even begin on it untill aug though. So keep that in mind.Offering CNC Plasma cutting and welding projects.Follow me on facebook https://www.facebook.com/nobigdeal.fabSupport those that support WW.
Reply:You can get "weld-on" hitches and separate weld-on brackets which could make the job pretty simple. (Don't know why they would powder coat something that needs to be welded then touch-up painted.) http://www.etrailer.com/Specialty-Tr...ite/41990.html"USMCPOP" First-born son: KIA  Iraq 1/26/05Syncrowave 250 w/ Coolmate 3Dialarc 250, Idealarc 250SP-175 +Firepower TIG 160S (gave the TA 161 STL to the son)Lincwelder AC180C (1952)Victor & Smith O/A torchesMiller spot welder