Mystery hole in rear bumper.....

When I purchased this 1961 CJ5 I removed a fabricated tow hitch that the previous owner was using occasionally to tow a parade float. When I removed it I uncovered the large hole to the left of the center of the bumper. What was that hole used for? PTO, tail pipe port?

Alan from France asked me why my exhaust system was routed so the tail pipe heads out to the passenger side of the tailgate. It got me thinking it may have been because the tow hitch and the license plate were obstructing the normal route. Could the hole have been for the tail pipe?

I looked at pictures in the archives but there are not that many pictures from the rear

 

can't see it :? picture too dark in rear . nice looking jeep

 

Fairly confident that is where the pto prop shaft would tie into pretty much anything you can imagine.

 

Thanks guys. So my exhaust- tail pipe is in the right place.

 

I believe the hole you are talking about was for the trailer wiring harness connector on the military M38A1.

 

The A1 had a harness connector in the body. Driver's side, just below the top of the tub.

 

Rear PTO shaft came out just to the driver's side of center in the rear bumper about the same amount the one on the front came through the front bumper, if it didn't terminate at the capstan winch.

 

Look at Ewillys. com. several old Jeeps have the rear PTO units. I think if you look at the pictures you will be figure out why that hole is there.

 

I agree PTO shaft hole . but makes a good spot to run trailer pigtail

 

I put the old standard "6 round" trailer plug there and then made an adapter for the 4 flat so I can tow pretty much anything without brakes. I also have a pair of magnetic tow lights if I'm moving something around but not very far. It's handy having a trailer plug if you don't run the PTO.