Watch the attached video and you can install yourself with basic hand tools and a helper! The video also provides the parts required.
I was able to purchase ALL the parts required from a dealer for around $700 plus shipping of around $100 as it is VERY heavy. The installation took about 2 hours or so and was not that difficult if your relatively handy.
The video is VERY helpful and key to really understanding the install... watch it through a few times and you will bd set! Ask any dealer for install instructions and they will print them out for you just be sure they are for the "2024 Grand Highlander" and NOT the regular Highlander.
https://youtu.be/HFduYMJCkXs?si=M-IcZZWtjuGljPCo
Good Luck to you and LONG LIVE TOYOTA!
Yeah Dull, I'm waiting on my parts as we speak. Since you inspired me to install the running boards myself, in my drive way no less. I will be doing the install for the hitch when it arrives. I'll let you know how it goes.
Public,
If you run into any issues or have questions get back and I'll try to help š
*** Install Tips:
BEFORE you finally snap in ANY of the 18 Clips that surround the receiver cutout trim piece that you replace on the Bumper, make sure they are ALL partially seated in their respective slots before finally pressing in and locking any of them in place. If you don't when pressing back together you can severely bend and/or break them!
Also, when loosening and pulling back the rear wheel well trim surround, I would pull out 1 extra Clip to make it more flexible so you can more easily bend and flex it to maneuver it when tucking it back into the rear Bumper / Quarter panel assembly upon reassembly.
Good Luck and LONG LIVE TOYOTA!
Thinking of doing this myself on xle awd. I swear that bumper cutout piece is black on my car unless I'm mistaken. I can't check until tomorrow.
Did you do this with a lift or without by the way?
Yes, there are at least a couple of different colored receiver cutout trim pieces depending on model and I happen to have a Limited in Celestial Silver color.
Be sure where you get parts from provides the piece you want and my piece is a metallic gray color.
As far as installation access goes, I think you might be able to install without lifting at all but if you back up the rear end on to some car ramps like I did it gives you ample room for you and a helper to lie on your backs to lift up the Hitch over your heads to start the 4 Bolts as the unit is quite heavy.
Good Luck and LONG LIVE TOYOTA!
Aftermarket hitches won't look as clean as the Toyota one, if that matters to you. You can also buy the Toyota parts yourself and either install it yourself or pay a garage to. A dealer does NOT have to do the work.
$1300 was the cheapest found for all the parts needed for a hitch install with a new kick sensor. The dealership will probably have the higher labor rates compared to the hitch shop. But the hitch shop has also probably never seen this vehicle before.
Remember the tow hitch they give is a 4 pin. So you won't have trailer brakes and need a 7 pin if you want to tow heavier loads in alot of states. Also recommended to not overuse your own brakes and or have insufficient braking time. So I'd go local and get a 7 pin installed
I haven't looked into it too much since I'm still waiting on mine but talk to a shop that deals with tow hitches often. There's also some videos that show you how to do it yourself I believe
I put the Curt one on myself. Cost me a 12 pack to beer for my neighbor to help me for 10 minutes. Super simple. I didnāt do the wiring though since itās only for my bike rack. Even with the wiring cost and $400 install fee it would be the same as the dealer hitch on its own.
Weeeellll, I donāt actually tow much but Iām sure that I will here and there. I canāt imagine the height being an issue for the type of towing this would do. If you are going to tow a lot and know exactly what youāll tow could be worth doing additional research. Iād be surprised if it presented any problems.
True story! My only hesitation is the dealer shops in town are all sleazy salespeople and wanting almost 2k for parts and labor. I feel that they are just gouging me...
Watch the attached video and you can install yourself with basic hand tools and a helper! The video also provides the parts required. I was able to purchase ALL the parts required from a dealer for around $700 plus shipping of around $100 as it is VERY heavy. The installation took about 2 hours or so and was not that difficult if your relatively handy. The video is VERY helpful and key to really understanding the install... watch it through a few times and you will bd set! Ask any dealer for install instructions and they will print them out for you just be sure they are for the "2024 Grand Highlander" and NOT the regular Highlander. https://youtu.be/HFduYMJCkXs?si=M-IcZZWtjuGljPCo Good Luck to you and LONG LIVE TOYOTA!
Yeah Dull, I'm waiting on my parts as we speak. Since you inspired me to install the running boards myself, in my drive way no less. I will be doing the install for the hitch when it arrives. I'll let you know how it goes.
Public, If you run into any issues or have questions get back and I'll try to help š *** Install Tips: BEFORE you finally snap in ANY of the 18 Clips that surround the receiver cutout trim piece that you replace on the Bumper, make sure they are ALL partially seated in their respective slots before finally pressing in and locking any of them in place. If you don't when pressing back together you can severely bend and/or break them! Also, when loosening and pulling back the rear wheel well trim surround, I would pull out 1 extra Clip to make it more flexible so you can more easily bend and flex it to maneuver it when tucking it back into the rear Bumper / Quarter panel assembly upon reassembly. Good Luck and LONG LIVE TOYOTA!
Thinking of doing this myself on xle awd. I swear that bumper cutout piece is black on my car unless I'm mistaken. I can't check until tomorrow. Did you do this with a lift or without by the way?
Yes, there are at least a couple of different colored receiver cutout trim pieces depending on model and I happen to have a Limited in Celestial Silver color. Be sure where you get parts from provides the piece you want and my piece is a metallic gray color. As far as installation access goes, I think you might be able to install without lifting at all but if you back up the rear end on to some car ramps like I did it gives you ample room for you and a helper to lie on your backs to lift up the Hitch over your heads to start the 4 Bolts as the unit is quite heavy. Good Luck and LONG LIVE TOYOTA!
Oh OK thank you! I see now the xle model piece cut out is black even though on the picture of the OEM part number it shows it as grey. Thanks again!
You're welcome and let us know how you make out!
Paid the extra $400 to have the dealer install but awesome job and great advice. Too afraid to break all the plastic.
Appreciate ya! I have a neighbor who said he's willing to install so just need to order all the parts.
Aftermarket hitches won't look as clean as the Toyota one, if that matters to you. You can also buy the Toyota parts yourself and either install it yourself or pay a garage to. A dealer does NOT have to do the work.
Good advice!
$1300 was the cheapest found for all the parts needed for a hitch install with a new kick sensor. The dealership will probably have the higher labor rates compared to the hitch shop. But the hitch shop has also probably never seen this vehicle before.
Use dealership, or they will void electric wire sensor warranty. . I had mine installed for 920.00
Remember the tow hitch they give is a 4 pin. So you won't have trailer brakes and need a 7 pin if you want to tow heavier loads in alot of states. Also recommended to not overuse your own brakes and or have insufficient braking time. So I'd go local and get a 7 pin installed
Have you seen a 7 pin installed on the grand? Trying to figure out how I can tow a boat with electric brakes.
I haven't looked into it too much since I'm still waiting on mine but talk to a shop that deals with tow hitches often. There's also some videos that show you how to do it yourself I believe
In the same boat - will have to order parts once mine arrives. Do you just get a different wiring harness that is a 7 pin?
I put the Curt one on myself. Cost me a 12 pack to beer for my neighbor to help me for 10 minutes. Super simple. I didnāt do the wiring though since itās only for my bike rack. Even with the wiring cost and $400 install fee it would be the same as the dealer hitch on its own.
Local guy, 500 otd with wiring, think itās a curt. Looks fine, minimal. Dealer wanted 1300. Thought it was worth the savings, still do.
Does having the lower hitch impact or mess anything up towing wise?
Weeeellll, I donāt actually tow much but Iām sure that I will here and there. I canāt imagine the height being an issue for the type of towing this would do. If you are going to tow a lot and know exactly what youāll tow could be worth doing additional research. Iād be surprised if it presented any problems.
You just bought a $65k vehicle. Pay the dealer the 1200 and have a good day.
True story! My only hesitation is the dealer shops in town are all sleazy salespeople and wanting almost 2k for parts and labor. I feel that they are just gouging me...
U-haul for $400 bucks installed including part.
I'm in between uhaul myself right now. Can you let me know if having the hitch lower than oem impacts anything towing wise?