Originally Posted by Bill

If, in the end, you can't reassure yourself that it is strong enough to be safe, you might consider having a commercial frame-mounted hitch installed underneath the custom bumper assembly. These are carefully engineered and speciifed for needed strength and twist resistance. Cheap insurance, relative to the potential loss of an inadequate custom job.

Bill

Originally Posted by larsdennert

Nice bumper Mick! Who made it for you? I haven't been over to Yotatech for a while. If you have some 1/4" tieing back to the frame from the receiver and at least 3 of the four points at each frame rail you should be ok. I'd watch the clearance to the body. There's quite a bit of flex when towing.

My 4Runner has 33s and stock 4.10 with over 100K miles and it tows surprisingly well. 4.56 would be a better gear choice but I don't feel like pulling that ifs dif. Setting up the ARB locker is some work. Keep in mind that you've doubled the vehicle weight and won't be breaking any land speed records. You can use overdrive on flat ground but you are better off running in third to avoid the TC from running unlocked when you aren't watching. You can run 70-75mph but 60-65 is much more comfortable. My guess is I lose 2-3mpg towing. The '99 has a tranny cooler integrated in the radiator, I think, but not the extra external one like you put in.

If you have air bags, Land cruiser springs or OME HD springs you might get by without a weight dist hitch (wdh). The stock springs are too soft. If you plan on towing on dirt roads you should consider how to avoid the wdh to keep articulation.

You'll need a brake controller. I'd say Prodigy is thumbs up.

We towed ours all the way to Moab from CA, went wheeling, and towed it back. Hey my truck made the back page of TLCA toyota trails in Nov running Golden Spike.

The TM is great. Like a house on wheels compared to a tent. Easy to spend a week in it especially with little ones.

Lars