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placement for towbar mounting brackets?

Discussion in 'Flat Fender Tech' started by 97XJ_95YJ, Aug 16, 2008.

  1. Aug 16, 2008
    97XJ_95YJ

    97XJ_95YJ I hate torx bolts

    Woolrich, PA
    Joined:
    Feb 3, 2006
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    250
    I have to transport my 2A about 110 miles from my parents house to my house. My plan is to mount a tow bar on the front of the 2A and tow it with my Cherokee or Liberty. I was wondering where I should mount the tow bar brackets on the bumper? I'm assuming you want it to mount close to the frame, but should I mount on the outside of the frame or inside?

    Also, my plan is to disconnect the driveshafts. I'm going to top off the fluids in the differentials. I'll probably put some bungi cords around the shifters. Anything else I should do?
     
  2. Aug 16, 2008
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    my brackets are mounted inside of frame, it's worked well...search "flat towing" it's been covered a bunch :beer:
    Jim S.
     
  3. Aug 16, 2008
    jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    Hermosa, SD
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    Jul 30, 2003
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    mine are just slightly to the outside of the frame
    no worries
    if you've got locking hubs, you can leave the front shaft alone
    just make sure the hubs are in free
    make sure the tires and tire pressures are okay for the trip
     
  4. Aug 16, 2008
    Walt Couch

    Walt Couch sidehill Cordele, Ga. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    cordele, Ga.
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    Be sure to tape the bearing cups really good or you will be buying and installing a new universal joint.
     
  5. Aug 16, 2008
    bobracing

    bobracing web wheeler

    Richland, WA
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    Oct 28, 2007
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    and if you have a locking column, make sure it is unlocked.
     
  6. Apr 25, 2012
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    Jun 21, 2005
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    Hey guys, I've been searching, but there are too many topics on flat towing to find an answer. When mounting a towbar, should I somehow tie it into the frame or reinforce the bumper somehow? My bumper is only held on with a few small bolts. It doesn't seem like a good idea to mount it directly to my bumper, but I also can't see an easy way to mount it to the frame.
     
  7. Apr 25, 2012
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    I mount mine directly to the bumper with big washers on the back side. Stock the bumpers are very secure, I've made mine removable but use 3/4" grade 8 bolts to hold it on. Upgrade your hardware and you should be fine I'd think
     
  8. Apr 25, 2012
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    Hesperia, CA.
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    I mounted mine directly on top of the bumper, using the hole that bolts to the frame, and another that sits next to it. Drilled the outer holes through the bottom of the bumper, both holes go all the way through.

    Didn't want to ruin my bumper with brackets on the front. Been towed about 400 total miles so far, works fine. All hardware grade 8. (ignore the fact that I'm climbing a stump, only pic I have on hand.)

    [​IMG]
     
  9. Apr 26, 2012
    givemethewillys

    givemethewillys Been here since sparky ran it. 2022 Sponsor

    New Kent, VA
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    Mall rated! Thanks for the insight fellas!
     
  10. Apr 26, 2012
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Apr 4, 2010
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    My brackets are bolted right on the stock bumper at the frame horns-1 bolt is inside the frame rail & 1 is outside.

    [​IMG]
     
  11. Apr 26, 2012
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2009
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    Mine are inside
    [​IMG]

    I really do not think it matters a lot and generally, you will just mount them for whatever the tow bar spacing is.

    If this is a one time deal, I have a 3x3x1/4 angle iron that I welded a set of tow bar ears to and use it for towing Jeeps by just clamping it over the bumper using four short sections of drilled 1.5x1/4 wall square tube and long grade five 1/2" bolts. If you do something like this, make sure your safety chains fasten to the actual bumper or frame.

    No need to disconnect driveshafts for a 100 mile tow. Just make sure transfercase is in neutral and transmission is IN GEAR-preferably first. You don't want the trans mainshaft moving because it will not be getting lubed but the transfercase mainshaft will be lubed as normal. I have flat towed 500 miles like this with no problems.
     
    Last edited: Apr 26, 2012
  12. Apr 26, 2012
    68BuickV6

    68BuickV6 Well-Known Member

    Hesperia, CA.
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    Also, for 110 miles, T case in neutral, trans in neutral, skip the bungees, unlock hubs, leave steering wheel free.

    Towed my 5 almost 400 miles total so far, with no problems this way. Just don't try to backup.
     
  13. Apr 26, 2012
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
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    12,529
    I can't say this enough or strong enough. Transfer case in neutral and TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. For the reason Duffer said and I've posted since 2002. If you don't and burn up your transmission I will be happy to sell you parts at double the going rate for ignoring this advice that has been posted time, and time, and time, and time, and time again.
    I've had to throw away more transmissions than most people here have owned because of NOT following this advise.
    You've been warned, you're on your own :(


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
  14. Apr 27, 2012
    Mr. Gangrene Jeans

    Mr. Gangrene Jeans I See Voices&Hear Visions

    Kansas City
    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2009
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    282
    I avoided mounting to the bumper and made my own front tow shackles out of 1/2" plate steel.
    Triangular shaped with the forward hole for the tow bar. Haven't used them yet.
     
  15. Apr 27, 2012
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    I am not a big fan of doing a shackle mount for a towbar. Shackle bushings get enough stress when you are off roading and my thought is a towbar is adding a huge amount of angular stress not accounted for in the design of either shackles/bushings or frame brackets/hangers. At best, it is going to wear the bushings out a lot sooner than would be normal.
     
  16. Apr 27, 2012
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    Dec 17, 2002
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    I just bolted mine to the front bumper and never had a problem.

    [​IMG]
     
  17. May 3, 2012
    n6ifp

    n6ifp Member

    San Bruno/...
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    Sep 15, 2004
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    here is mine
    [​IMG]
     
  18. May 15, 2012
    jayhawkclint

    jayhawkclint ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

    Oklahoma City, USA
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    May 18, 2006
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    Need some recommendations. Here is what I've got to work with. The big beefy tow bar is what I used to use when I had the stock bumper and heavy duty welded brackets. When I replaced the bumper I had D rings installed and, not thinking about it at the time of order, realized after the fact that their location interferes with tow bar location. Thinking about trying the lighter tow bar on bottom that has more adjustability in it, and install a temp bushing in each D- mount whenever I tow. Think it would work? Trying use the D-mounts on account of they are ridiculously strong 1" bars that run about a foot back and bolted into the frame with 6 grade 8 bolts; the frame would rip before the mounts do, and don't really want to booger up the bumper.

    [​IMG]
     
  19. May 15, 2012
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    Smaller tow bar is what I've used since I've owned the 6, fab something that attaches to the d ring mount ,,,,, mine mounts just to the side/ top of the 1" bar and uses a oversized bolt head and big washer on back side,,,,, never had a problem
     
  20. May 16, 2012
    jayhawkclint

    jayhawkclint ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

    Oklahoma City, USA
    Joined:
    May 18, 2006
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    I went and picked up some pilot bushings, then had them turned down to fit the D-mounts. Bought a pair of receiver hitch pins that slide through the middle. Going to make a pair of brackets out of some spare shackles that will attach to the lighter draw bar.
    [​IMG]
     
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