2nd Gen OEM & Aftermarket Tow Hitch Information & DIY

[GEE50FX]

Thanks guys. Yeah, I was trying to figure out why the RWD wasn't listed as compatible with the OEM hitch.

I guess the Curt hitch is the way to go. While I'm 6'1" and I *could* lift the bikes and put them on the roof, a hitch rack seems like it would be much easier.

Thanks again!

Just be aware, the main complaint that people have with the rear mounted hitch, is it's weight. It causes the back end to drop a bit.

 

[mikezed]

Limit I believe is 3500


Sent from my iPhone

Thats fine, I'm only planning on towing 2200-2300 lbs a few times during the summer..

Thanks

 

[GOFAST24]

Anyone have a picture of the OEM hitch mounted on a Gen 2?

 

[la_fx35]

Pic #31 in this post. Not a very good pic of the hitch, but you get the idea.
https://www.infinitiscene.com/searc...Fall-Area-Meet-in-Chicago?p=211139#post211139

 

[SCY7H3]

I just installed the OEM hitch and OEM harness on my 2nd gen and I have to say its the only hitch I would ever put on. The install is not that bad and I had the back end up on jacks to give myself some added space. The stock hitch is $300 and the oem harness is $90, the receiver is another $85 but you can buy that from anywhere.

You have to drop the muffler and replace the seals though they come with the hitch kit. You may have to use a blow torch to heat the nuts on the muffler to loosen them, don't try to take them off with a torque gun, you'll snap it off and then have to drill out the bolt.

The reason I chose the stock hitch is because it doesn't hang like its something about to fall off the car and secondly it won't rust with everything hitting it being so low to the ground. The OEM hitch is slightly lighter because it has less metal whereas the aftermarket ones hang below the muffler (hence no need to remove the muffler) but the added metal adds to the weight. Curt/Reese/Hidden hitch are all the same company, same hitch design. Not sure about Uhaul but I remember Uhaul always being the big beefy hitch.



If you guys are interested, I can get some photos done so you can see? I also have the OEM install guide for both the harness and hitch though not sure how I would attach the PDF here....

 

[Stealth]

I've looked through a few of these hitch posts since i'm also looking to install one and i see that a lot of people speculate that the hidden hitch and the oem hitch are one in the same or extremely similar in design. I cant find many detailed pictures though. Are you saying otherwise? That the hidden hitch and OEM hitch are noticeably different in design?

P.S; def post pics, please.

 

[meme405]

Phantom has a second generation FX now (ignore his avatar, he recently upgraded).

But it really makes no difference for your question the OEM and curt hitches are different, but as phantom said curt is the same as all the other aftermarket hitch manufacturers. They produce the hitches and the other companies just slap a different label on the hitch.

 

[SCY7H3]

This post below is for 1st and 2nd Gen FX's, 1st gen hitch and harness is posted lower in this section.

I know that after visiting a couple dealerships and asking about the "OEM" hitch, they always showed me this hitch below. This is not OEM, this is aftermarket resold as OEM. This hitch is really cheap for the dealership to buy, but they'll flip you the bill as if you got the real thing.

2nd Gen Fx's:

2ne Gen Hidden Hitch (not so hidden.. LOL):



2nd Gen Curt:



2nd Gen Draw-tite:



Uhaul hitch looks like the ones above. Couldn't find a pic online, must be a "secret" :rotfl:

But you can view the Installation Manual here showing the exact hitch. http://www.uhaul.com/pubshandler.ashx?id=22113&digest=MWOcbPj3+dCR4/lIsS0L2Q


So this is how your 2nd gen will look with the hitches above:

** NOTE ** Downside of installing this hitch is that you will have to mutilate your rear diffusers for the hitch to accommodate those big side parts of the hitch. This exposes rain, sand, snow, etc up into the inside of the rear bumper. Probably accelerates rusting. See the instruction manual from uhaul above.








How did I prove this theory? I went to each of the hitch manufacturer's websites and they all have the same website design, different colors and even the banner at the top shows all the brands under the same company. Then did a search for a hitch for the 2nd gen and that above same photo appeared.

What contributed to this theory was me looking at the hitch at the dealership and there was a sticker on it (i'll post it later) that shows all three brands on the same sticker (one parent company).

I knew this could not be the real hitch because on my 1st gen (Sorry I have to change my avatar), I ordered the real hitch and it was completely hidden up inside above the muffler. So digging deeper on the internet, I found the part number for the real OEM hitch. Unfortunately there's no photos of it anywhere on the net. But I will post them later today. I can post the PDF's for the install of the harness and hitch as well

I love informing members on here so that they make wise decisions. I'll post the part numbers too.


2nd Gen OEM hitch (Part No 999T5-EV110):






Sorry for the dirty car, haven't had a chance to wash it properly with the negative temperatures here















---------- Post added at 03:45 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:42 PM ----------




2nd Gen OEM harness (999T8-EV000):














1st Gen FX's


1st Gen Hidden Hitch:



1st Gen Curt:



Draw-Tite:

They don't make one, probably didn't exist back then for this brand.

Uhaul.. Read the instructions, this does not look like a safe setup. They use two brackets that are not part of the hitch to hold the hitch tightly up against the underside of your car to mount it. I do not recommend this at all!

Instructions:
http://www.uhaul.com/pubshandler.ashx?id=3712&digest=q0nAdFXK3EDUhZjUYAL2rA

1st Gen OEM Hitch Part No 999T5-EP000:

The 1st and 2nd gen hitches are very identical to design, but likely not interchangeable.




OEM 1st Gen Harness (Part No 999T8-EP000):

To install this you have to take apart the trim surrounding the inside of your spare tire area. Very easy to do, no cutting or modification required. Its a plug and play design. There's an existing hole you feed the wire down through to bolt it to the OEM hitch.






1st and 2nd Gen Receivers.

Top one in pic is from my 1st gen which is included with the hitch. Bottom is for 2nd gen which is a separate part number 999T5-EV020 $85 but you can find for less same design. Nothing special. Actually I prefer the 1st gen receiver which is longer and sits across most of the inside hitch portion.

I've looked through a few of these hitch posts since i'm also looking to install one and i see that a lot of people speculate that the hidden hitch and the oem hitch are one in the same or extremely similar in design. I cant find many detailed pictures though. Are you saying otherwise? That the hidden hitch and OEM hitch are noticeably different in design?

P.S; def post pics, please.

---------- Post added at 03:50 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:45 PM ----------

Yup, that's one of the things they recommend doing. Not because the hitch is heavy but when you do tow something, it will add more resistance to wear and tear. I would use it regardless if I had a hitch or not, extends the life of the diff and the clutches.

One thing you might want to also check out when getting the tow hook installed is the rear differential fluid. I have the OEM tow hitch that came installed on mine and the rear differential fluid uses a different type of Infiniti Hypoid gear oil when you have the tow hitch. So you might want to call up the dealership and ask about that. It's in the fluid capacities chart in the instruction manual.

---------- Post added at 08:14 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:50 PM ----------

Alright guys, I added photos and descriptions and instructions for the aftermarket hitches. Does anyone know how I can attach PDF documents? I want this for all our members to have access to, sorry I have never done this and I'm sure there's a post about it but I rather hear it from someone who knows the inner workings and my options

We could sticky both the 1st gen and 2nd gen hitch and harness instructions?

 

[Stealth]

Thanks for the detailed research, Phantom! I'll definitely be going with the OEM hitch.. I think it maintains the flow of the FX.

 

[porkandbeans]

Totally right!

 

[SCY7H3]

You're quite welcome! Just remember to use a blow torch to loosen the muffler nuts, don't try to loosen them, they'll snap right off and keep the flame away from any wires or structures.

One thing I did to my hitch is I bought some rubberized undercoating and coated it entirely. The most important area is where the receiver attaches to, that hangs out the bottom and gets beaten with salt, rocks, sand, water, etc. Do this a day in advance for it to dry and while you can because once it starts rusting its usually hard to stop.

 

[vvslavavv]

I'm thinking of installing an OEM hitch on my 09 FX35. How long did the install take you? Thanks for the hints for getting the muffler nuts -- did you just use a regular propane blow torch or did you have do use acetylene one?

 

[mthiede000]

I am looking to install the OEM hitch on my 2011 AWD FX35 to carry a Thule T2 or Kuat NV. Wold someone that has the poem hitch installed be able to reply with the measurements from the hitch locking bolt hole to the outer edge of the bumper as well sa the outer edge of the hitch to the outer edge of the bumper. Want to make sure these racks will fold up when not in use without hitting the bumper.

 

[wilbcol]

The Kuat will work, it's the only one I found that will without an extension.


Sent from my iPad HD

 

[mthiede000]

Wiblcol-thanks for the quick response. I am a newbie so I can't PM you yet. Would you mind confirming that you can fold up the Kuat NV rack when not in use. Want to make sure it doesn't his the bumper when using he OEM hitch. Thanks for your response!

 

[wilbcol]

Sorry just now getting back to you. Yes you can fold it up but have to trim a little of the plastic front wheel cup to do it. Also have to flip the tracks around so the inside track has the clamp arm on the opposite side of the tail gate.


Sent from my iPad HD

 

[Jmess86]

Haven't been on here in a while but I figure I give it a shot.
Is anyone here selling a OEM hitch for their 2nd Gen FX ? I can't seem to find a dealer that has one in stock.
They do list them on many sites but I called basically every one and they don't have them.

I've been wanting to tow with the FX but at the point of just selling it to buy a truck since it'll be more practical ( putting dirtbikes / motorcycles and atv's in the back and towing )

If I do sell how, what would be a good price point to sell ?

 

[jackmorgan]

What is the ground clearance with the curt hitch? I sometimes drive in deep snow and am worried it will drag. I'd much rather buy the oem but can't seem to find them anywhere.

thanks.

Jack

 

[Sam J]

I just installed the OEM hitch and OEM harness on my 2nd gen and I have to say its the only hitch I would ever put on. The install is not that bad and I had the back end up on jacks to give myself some added space. The stock hitch is $300 and the oem harness is $90, the receiver is another $85 but you can buy that from anywhere.

You have to drop the muffler and replace the seals though they come with the hitch kit. You may have to use a blow torch to heat the nuts on the muffler to loosen them, don't try to take them off with a torque gun, you'll snap it off and then have to drill out the bolt.

The reason I chose the stock hitch is because it doesn't hang like its something about to fall off the car and secondly it won't rust with everything hitting it being so low to the ground. The OEM hitch is slightly lighter because it has less metal whereas the aftermarket ones hang below the muffler (hence no need to remove the muffler) but the added metal adds to the weight. Curt/Reese/Hidden hitch are all the same company, same hitch design. Not sure about Uhaul but I remember Uhaul always being the big beefy hitch.



If you guys are interested, I can get some photos done so you can see? I also have the OEM install guide for both the harness and hitch though not sure how I would attach the PDF here....

Hi,

Do you still have the install guides? Any pics of the hitch installed?
Thanks,

Sam

 

[ocal21]

Anybody know why Infiniti discontinued the tow hitch?