Trailer Hitch Installation - 1999 Lexus RX 300 - Hidden Hitch

Installation of a Trailer Hitch on a 1999 Lexus RX 300

Today, on our 1999 Lexus RX300, we will be installing Hidden Hitch, part number 70777. This is what our hitch will look like once it is installed. Next, we will give you a couple of measurements to assist you with selecting accessories for your new hitch. From the center of the hitch pin hole to the outermost edge of the bumper is 3-3/4 inches. From the top of the receiver tube to the ground is 15 inches. This will assist you with selecting accessories such as a draw bar, a bike rack or a cargo carrier.

Now, lets go ahead with the installation. Before we get started with our install, each process we do here on the driver side is going to get repeated identically on the passenger side. So we are first going to go ahead and remove the tow hook and our 2 fasteners that will need to be removed. Go ahead and set these aside as they will not be reinstalled because the hitch and new hardware will take their place. Then we need to go ahead and pull the rubber plug in the frame covering up the weld nut for our forward attachment point for the hitch.

Using a flat bladed screwdriver, we can just pry it out of its position. I recommend you take one of your new bolts supplied with your install kit and thread it into the forward attachment point where the rubber plug was, just to make sure it is free of dirt, dust and debris. Since that goes in smoothly, we are now ready to go ahead and repeat the same process on the passenger side. Now, you can see we have access to all 3 attachment points. We have our forward, center, and rear attachment point.

Now we are ready to go ahead and install the hitch. To install the hitch, feed the passenger side up over the exhaust muffler tailpipe first, then move it into position on the driver side. We will take 1 of the new bolts supplied with our install kit, a lock washer and flat washer and thread them in finger tight, just to hold our hitch in place. Now, as you can see we are getting ready to do the forward most attachment point, however, there is a manufacturers wire that would be pinched if we dont relocate it. So, first we are going to relocate this wire.

Using my trim panel tool, I can go ahead and pop the fastener free and move it out of the way so the hitch will sit flat against the frame. Now, we will go ahead and put in our forward attachment point and we can tighten all of our fasteners down. Now, with all of our fasteners tightened down, I will go ahead and reinstall the manufacturers wire back in its previous location. We can now go back to our fasteners and torque to specifications as indicated in instructions. And that will complete our install of the Hidden Hitch, part number 70777 on our 1999 Lexus RX300.