2000 V70 trailer hitch install questions

Herb Goltz · Post by **Herb Goltz** » 27 Sep 2016, 09:35

I just picked up a used Hidden Hitch 90801 and a powered converter to install on my 2000 V70 base model FWD, and I have some questions:

1) Is there a +12VDC source anywhere in the cargo area for the converter?

2) What is the appropriate amperage for the in-line fuse for the +12VDC?

3) Where is the best place to route the converter harness to the outside of the car?

Thanks!

Post by **abscate** » 27 Sep 2016, 11:46

I think I posted the instructions to the Volvo hitch once here, including the routing question.

Herb Goltz · Post by **Herb Goltz** » 27 Sep 2016, 12:08

I had a quick look, but couldn't find the post you are referring to-- can you point me in the right direction?

Thanks!

Post by **abscate** » 27 Sep 2016, 16:45

It was a thread with Evan I think - Ill look and post it here if I can find.

Post by **abscate** » 27 Sep 2016, 17:18

Some detail on the electrical through in this thread

https://www.matthewsvolvosite.com/forums ... 46#p286446

Herb Goltz · Post by **Herb Goltz** » 28 Sep 2016, 12:54

Thanks! After having the opportunity to crawl under the car yesterday evening, I encountered a bit of a surprise. The instructions for the Hidden Hitch involve attaching a wire to the forward-most hitch bolt, then feeding that wire through a large access hole in the frame rail toward the back of the car, and then through the smaller hole toward the front of the car, where the head of the bolt is captured inside the rail and the threaded part protrudes downward.

On my car there are 14 mm bolts in place between the large access hole and the bolt hole. These bolts are attached to a long flat metal piece inside the the bottom of the frame rail, blocking the large access hole.

Obviously I will need to get access to the inside of the frame rails in order to get the metal piece out and install the forward bolts. Can I do this by just removing the bumper cover, or does the whole bumper have to come off? So much for the 40 minute install time...

skloon · Post by **skloon** » 28 Sep 2016, 13:06

To gain access you will have to remove the bumper brackets- two bolts each side and the rivets in the wheelwell then the bumper and cover all pull off at once- hopefully your bolts are not too rusted in

Herb Goltz · Post by **Herb Goltz** » 28 Sep 2016, 13:42

Sixteen salty Ontario winters, so they may be a challenge-- time for the impact gun!

Herb Goltz · Post by **Herb Goltz** » 03 Oct 2016, 10:31

I pulled the bumper-- it was much easier than I thought it would be-- I didn't even need a helper. Thankfully, the bumper bolts were not rusty, and the mounting brackets were in good shape. On one side the captive nut on the bracket inside the frame rail broke loose, which slowed me down a bit. Once I had access, it was easy enough to drop the captive bolts through the frame rails and then bolt up the hitch.

I couldn't locate a 12V power source in the cargo area, so I ran a 12 GA wire from the battery through the firewall via the conduit under the ABS unit, and then running it along the driver's side to the back. I still need to route the trailer wiring harness to the outside of the car, hopefully through the grommet in the bottom of access panel on the driver's side where most of the wiring is connected.