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Toyota Highlander Accessories and Modifications

1439 messages,  Last post on Feb 21, 2013 at 10:40 AM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV

Messages Page 97 of 145

#953 of 1439 Re: Trailer Hitch for Highlander Hybrid [ppham] by waltrde

Jul 26, 2005 (9:22 pm)

Replying to: ppham (Jul 26, 2005 2:40 pm)
Patrick,
 
Looks nothing like the Toyota parts. It appears to be the Plug-N-Tow Wiring Connector kit that eTrailer.com sells for 2004-2005 Highlanders without the tow prep package.
 
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=E&Product_Code=33425&- Category_Code=VWH
 
The illustrations and part numbers match.
 
I couldn't find any clear sources for aftermarket hitch wiring for the '04 and later Highlander. Too many sites are unclear as to the year and tow prep package compatibility. That was one of the reasons I had for going with the Toyota hitch, since it comes with everything but the dreaded converter, which is easy to come by if a little pricey.
 
In researching this reply, I went back to the Toyota Highlander Club Yahoo Group and did find that the above harness works whether you have the tow prep package or not. It just ignores the Toyota tow prep wiring and goes straight to the tail lights. It's not very elegant, but it does include a converter to preserve the tail light circuits. Because it doesn't take advantage of the Toyota harness, you have to run a wire all the way to the battery to power it. That's the long coil of red wire in the illustration. vtxbobby provides details at http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/toyotahighlanderclub/message/3949. He also put up photos of his installation. You need join the group and the group owner has to approve you, which is a pain if you want to check them out.
 
I just looked at the kit that eTrailer has for the 2001-2003 with tow prep (they included the converter with those model year's tow prep) and it does have a 4 pin connector that looks like it could work with the tow prep 4 pin connector. vtxbobby tried that first last year, but without a Toyota converter it was worthless. I just asked him in that group if it plugged into the tow prep 4 pin connector.
 
http://www.etrailer.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=E&Product_Code=18245&- Category_Code=
 
Good luck!

#954 of 1439 Re: Stereo upgrade [telecaster] by spuff

Jul 29, 2005 (6:33 am)

Replying to: telecaster (Jul 24, 2005 6:16 pm)
I am deep in a speaker upgrade right now. The speakers are the best place to start. It does not help w/ distortion native to the head unit, but you'll see a very big improvement. I bought a pair of blaupunkts at crutchfield...70% off the original price. Unfortunately they don't fit as promised, so i'm doing some adjusting to make it work. The "premium" jbl speakers are paper and foam crap and I totally agree about booming base. I can't even listen to it. If you're just looking for a better sound experience and not trying to build a "soundsystem" in your car, you should be satisfied with a speaker upgrade.

#955 of 1439 Re: Trailer Hitch for Highlander Hybrid [waltrde] by ppham

Jul 29, 2005 (7:17 am)

Replying to: waltrde (Jul 26, 2005 9:22 pm)
Walt,
 
Thank you very much.
 
I shall join the Yahoo group to see the posted pictures of vtxbobby.
 
>In researching this reply, I went back to the Toyota Highlander Club Yahoo Group and did find that the above harness works whether you have the tow prep package or not. It just ignores the Toyota tow prep wiring .
 
In your message the above harness : Do you mean the Toyo harness or the Etrailer package .
 
Thanks,
 
Patrick

#956 of 1439 Re: Stereo upgrade [spuff] by telecaster

Jul 29, 2005 (2:11 pm)

Replying to: spuff (Jul 29, 2005 6:33 am)
Thanks for the info. Both you and landdriver say that speakers are the first thing to replace, so maybe that's where I'll start. I've heard good things about Infinity and also JL speakers, but I'll have to put in some overtime at work first.

#957 of 1439 2005 Highlander V6 by dodge

Jul 29, 2005 (10:31 pm)

Hello,
   
  Is there any peformance upgrades that can be done to the highlander V6, I tested the 0 to 60, with a timmer and clocked it at 8.2.... which is just as fast as a ford escape and explorer and want to at least get it down to 6.5, so when I am a light I can blow past an escape. I live in michigan and go to work in detroit so alot of them like to try and beat me from a light and they come close.
 
  So if there is some one is out there that can help I would love the feedback
 
 David

#958 of 1439 Re: Trailer Hitch for Highlander Hybrid [ppham] by waltrde

Jul 30, 2005 (10:18 pm)

Replying to: ppham (Jul 29, 2005 7:17 am)
The Etrailer package appears to work with either. It just doesn't take advantage of the existing Toyota tow prep wiring.

#959 of 1439 Adding NAV to Highlander Hybrid by junie

Aug 01, 2005 (10:41 am)

I just purchased a Highlander Hybrid and would like to add a navigation system. My dealership recommended Car Toys. Any experience with Car Toys or any suggestions on adding a navigation system?

#960 of 1439 Tires Needed for '03 Highlander - Ellicott City, MD by jsaint0625

Aug 02, 2005 (12:57 pm)

I need to get new tires for my '03 Highlander. I have 43,000 miles on the original tires and the tires have sucked since Day 1. I always felt some skidding every time it rained. Does anyone have a recommendation on new all-weather tires? I'm looking for a reasonably priced, reliable all-weather tire. And if you could recommend a good tire shop in the Ellicott City/Columbia, MD area, that would be great. Thanks!

#961 of 1439 Re: Tires Needed for '03 Highlander - Ellicott City, MD [jsaint0625] by gklatv

Aug 03, 2005 (11:37 am)

Replying to: jsaint0625 (Aug 02, 2005 12:57 pm)
Michelin Cross Terrain tires have been often recommended. Michelin LTX MS is mentioned a lot, too, and has a bit more aggressive thread. Expect to pay around $150/tire installed for either of those. I've seen these tires sold in Costco in the midwest.

#962 of 1439 Re: Tires Needed for '03 Highlander - Ellicott City, MD [jsaint0625] by phrosut

Aug 03, 2005 (11:41 am)

Replying to: jsaint0625 (Aug 02, 2005 12:57 pm)
We recently replaced our poor Bridgestone's on our '03 w/36000 miles with Michelin Cross Terrains. I made the choice after following posts here for the last 3 years. Those stock tires were poor in every respect. These new tires seem to handle better and are quiet. I fully expect to get almost double the mileage out of them. After some rebates I think the bill was about $500 (been about 3 months now).
 
Phil

Messages Page 97 of 145

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