TRAILER HITCH INSTALLED ON 2002 MAXIMA
08-23-2011, 11:15 AM
#1
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: TX
Posts: 129
2002 NISSAN MAXIMA TRAILER HITCH INSTALL GUIDE
LETS JUST SAY IT WAS A PAIN IN THE ***(because it was my first time doing it.) Now that i know the simple tips to make it easy, it will be a 30mins install for sure. Between balancing the 33lb hitch on my back, and fishing the bolts through the passenger side frame rail, it its finally done.
I wanted to pass along the small tips & tricks, and info so when you guys get the install directions- you wont get lost.(the directions give you options- up to you, to figure it out, so i figured id take the guess work out of it)
Im planing on towing a small open trailer(500lb) and my track-bike(400lbs-but lost some weight due to removing all street accessories and replacing race fairings) - and sometimes wifey's track-bike in addition to mine(also a 400lb bike).
Driver side was simple. you remove the tow hook thats there, and simply bolt in the hitch with 4 bolts. USE LOCTITE!
Passenger side you will need to fish in 3 bolts(with square mounting plates) into existing holes in the frame rail.
(ill add more photo's later- my building just shook lol)[later found out it was the earthquake!]
I wanted to pass along the small tips & tricks, and info so when you guys get the install directions- you wont get lost.(the directions give you options- up to you, to figure it out, so i figured id take the guess work out of it)
Im planing on towing a small open trailer(500lb) and my track-bike(400lbs-but lost some weight due to removing all street accessories and replacing race fairings) - and sometimes wifey's track-bike in addition to mine(also a 400lb bike).
Driver side was simple. you remove the tow hook thats there, and simply bolt in the hitch with 4 bolts. USE LOCTITE!
Passenger side you will need to fish in 3 bolts(with square mounting plates) into existing holes in the frame rail.
(ill add more photo's later- my building just shook lol)[later found out it was the earthquake!]
Last edited by ImStricken; 08-30-2011 at 09:50 AM.
08-24-2011, 01:55 PM
#5
Wow -- that sounds great. Here I thought I'd have to go to u-haul and have them install one and do all sorts of welding (and destroying.)
Could you please post some details as to where you bought it, brand and model, etc?
I'd love to put one of those on my 2001 i30....
Could you please post some details as to where you bought it, brand and model, etc?
I'd love to put one of those on my 2001 i30....
Last edited by Montego Murph; 08-24-2011 at 06:22 PM.
08-24-2011, 04:02 PM
#6
I have that same Curt for a Gen 5-5.5 on my Gen 4. I used it to two a 18' bowrider boat at about 2800 pounds. The Max tows great, actually. I since bought a truck for towing that boat, but I hope to keep using the Max for towing smaller fishing boats in the future when I want to take "low cost" trips.
08-24-2011, 06:37 PM
#8
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 10,349
I thought about installing one of these so I can get a hitch mounted bicycle rack. The Saris trunk mount rack I have is a p.i.t.a. with all the straps to adjust and cinch down. Thanks for posting up the pic!
08-29-2011, 09:47 AM
#13
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: TX
Posts: 129
this is the wiring harness i installed.
http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-V...cleid=20023895
the kit comes with everything pictured. i just piggy backed it to the left tail light, using the supplied wire crimps and tucked all the mess behind the trunk carpet backing, and zip tied it to the carpet backing.
now i have my wiring ready when needed & and neatly tucked away when i dont.
I bought it for $158(shipped) from a great ebay seller.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/I30-I35-Maxima-Trailer-Hitch-1-1-4-Class-2-Curt-12224-/110623191937?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &fits=Year%3A2002|Model%3AMaxima&hash=item19c1a7f3 81
IF YOU CALL/EMAIL HIM- HE WILL DO 158 SHIPPED(at least he did for me).
It arrived quickly & well packaged, and with instructions and all bolts needed.
THIS IS THE DRIVER SIDE: 4 BOLTS (very simple) THIS SIDE HAS NUTS WELDED INTO PLACE FROM THE FACTORY
(you will remove the stock oem tow hook thats bolted there now, and replace it with this side of the hitch by 4 new bolts. Dont tighten to much for now- you will need to move the hitch around a fraction of an inch to help the passenger side bolts ease in.
i reused 1 bolt there because the hole was slightly stripped from the old bolt coming out. i tried to place in a new bolt, and it wouldnt go in, so i replaced the old bolt and it went in easy, and was torqued in place. the old tow hook & bolts were made to support the full weight of the car incase of break down or accident by a tow truck, so im not even worried. i wont tow anywhere near the weight of the car.
NOW ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE:
THIS IS A DIFFERENT BEAST. THE INSTRUCTIONS SUGGEST THAT OUR CARS HAVE WELDED NUTS IN THE FRAME RAIL JUST LIKE THE DRIVER SIDE DOES- MY CAR DID NOT HAVE WELDED NUTS. SO THE 2ND OPTION IS FISHING BOLT & SQUARE PLATE TO BE FISHED THROUGH THE FRAME RAIL INTO THE APPROPRIATE HOLE.
(this is the view of the passenger side of the vehicle)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ok the instructions can be tricky to read. i spent some time in photo shop breaking it down a lot easier
the "ACCESS HOLE" is a wide hole used to fish the bolts into the frame rail. you keep pushing and prodding until you see the wire out of the hole you want the bolt through. catch the wire, and pull the bolt through. this will require some love, and time. it can be a pain in the as5
and the 3rd bolt - will require you to drill a hole in the frame rail. simple not hard. dont get scared by it, and repeat the fishing process.
FISHING PROCESS:
I DIDNT HAVE A DRILL THAT COULD ACCOMMODATE A WIDE DRILL BIT SO I HAD TO USE THIS ONE, AND ENLARGE THE HOLE.
MAKE SURE THE FISHING WIRE IS RIGHT AGAINST THE BOLT SO YOU DONT LOOSE IT IN THE FRAME RAIL.
IF YOU DO LOOSE SOMETHING IN THE FRAME RAIL- YOU WILL NEED A TELESCOPIC MAGNET
i love how it doesnt stick out at all.
http://www.etrailer.com/Custom-Fit-V...cleid=20023895
the kit comes with everything pictured. i just piggy backed it to the left tail light, using the supplied wire crimps and tucked all the mess behind the trunk carpet backing, and zip tied it to the carpet backing.
now i have my wiring ready when needed & and neatly tucked away when i dont.
Wow -- that sounds great. Here I thought I'd have to go to u-haul and have them install one and do all sorts of welding (and destroying.)
Could you please post some details as to where you bought it, brand and model, etc?
I'd love to put one of those on my 2001 i30....
Could you please post some details as to where you bought it, brand and model, etc?
I'd love to put one of those on my 2001 i30....
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/I30-I35-Maxima-Trailer-Hitch-1-1-4-Class-2-Curt-12224-/110623191937?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories &fits=Year%3A2002|Model%3AMaxima&hash=item19c1a7f3 81
IF YOU CALL/EMAIL HIM- HE WILL DO 158 SHIPPED(at least he did for me).
It arrived quickly & well packaged, and with instructions and all bolts needed.
THIS IS THE DRIVER SIDE: 4 BOLTS (very simple) THIS SIDE HAS NUTS WELDED INTO PLACE FROM THE FACTORY
(you will remove the stock oem tow hook thats bolted there now, and replace it with this side of the hitch by 4 new bolts. Dont tighten to much for now- you will need to move the hitch around a fraction of an inch to help the passenger side bolts ease in.
i reused 1 bolt there because the hole was slightly stripped from the old bolt coming out. i tried to place in a new bolt, and it wouldnt go in, so i replaced the old bolt and it went in easy, and was torqued in place. the old tow hook & bolts were made to support the full weight of the car incase of break down or accident by a tow truck, so im not even worried. i wont tow anywhere near the weight of the car.
NOW ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE:
THIS IS A DIFFERENT BEAST. THE INSTRUCTIONS SUGGEST THAT OUR CARS HAVE WELDED NUTS IN THE FRAME RAIL JUST LIKE THE DRIVER SIDE DOES- MY CAR DID NOT HAVE WELDED NUTS. SO THE 2ND OPTION IS FISHING BOLT & SQUARE PLATE TO BE FISHED THROUGH THE FRAME RAIL INTO THE APPROPRIATE HOLE.
(this is the view of the passenger side of the vehicle)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ok the instructions can be tricky to read. i spent some time in photo shop breaking it down a lot easier
the "ACCESS HOLE" is a wide hole used to fish the bolts into the frame rail. you keep pushing and prodding until you see the wire out of the hole you want the bolt through. catch the wire, and pull the bolt through. this will require some love, and time. it can be a pain in the as5
and the 3rd bolt - will require you to drill a hole in the frame rail. simple not hard. dont get scared by it, and repeat the fishing process.
FISHING PROCESS:
I DIDNT HAVE A DRILL THAT COULD ACCOMMODATE A WIDE DRILL BIT SO I HAD TO USE THIS ONE, AND ENLARGE THE HOLE.
MAKE SURE THE FISHING WIRE IS RIGHT AGAINST THE BOLT SO YOU DONT LOOSE IT IN THE FRAME RAIL.IF YOU DO LOOSE SOMETHING IN THE FRAME RAIL- YOU WILL NEED A TELESCOPIC MAGNET
i love how it doesnt stick out at all.
Last edited by NmexMAX; 08-30-2011 at 09:57 AM.
08-29-2011, 06:20 PM
#15
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: TX
Posts: 129
08-29-2011, 06:39 PM
#17
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Join Date: May 2011
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your right. i was hoping it would not look beefy & truck-ish. but with having no other option to get the race bikes to the track, i had to install it anyway. once installed- was very very surprised how hidden it really is. if your not looking for it, odds are even on a sunny day you wont find it.
08-29-2011, 06:51 PM
#18
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Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Jacksonville, FL
Posts: 10,349
for this thread. I'm sure most ppl here on this forum probably wouldn't be interested in installing a receiver hitch, but the ones who are will really appreciate this. I'm not planning on doing any towing, but I would like to install a hitch in the near future for a bicycle rack.
08-29-2011, 07:11 PM
#19
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: TX
Posts: 129
for this thread. I'm sure most ppl here on this forum probably wouldn't be interested in installing a receiver hitch, but the ones who are will really appreciate this. I'm not planning on doing any towing, but I would like to install a hitch in the near future for a bicycle rack.my next project is an external tranny fluid radiator. (i know we have one inside our radiator, but i want to supplement to it(in a series), as i feel it is to hidden for the towing i will be doing)
I JUST REPLACED MY RADIATOR, AND DID A FULL COOLANT FLUSH TOO.
so next is a tranny rad. im thinking this.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/New-P...item3f0aee4567
Last edited by ImStricken; 08-29-2011 at 07:14 PM.
08-31-2011, 09:53 AM
#21
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Join Date: May 2011
Location: TX
Posts: 129
I JUST DID A NEW WRITE-UP ON A TRANSMISSION COOLER
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...on-cooler.html
http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...on-cooler.html
03-26-2017, 07:26 AM
#22
Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: CT
Posts: 45
What due you due if your driver side tow hook is gone ? It must of rusted off. Also part of frame rail is also missing. How can you put a hitch. ?
03-28-2017, 09:11 AM
#23
You will have to take the car to a place that does custom installation, because they will have to somehow re-build the frame rail. If the car has a serious problem, it may not be possible.
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