Flat tow bar

[Lumpy Grits]

Link is no-joy.
LG

 

[mtnwhlr]

This is what the brackets look like that came with my towbar.

 

[dtrojcak]

Strange, the link works for me.
It's a Smittybilt 87450 tow bar I ordered from Amazon if you want to look it up.

 

[dtrojcak]

This is what the brackets look like that came with my towbar.

Yes, those are the universal type of brackets.
The tow bar I ordered is supposed to come with those and also a bracket to allow it to connect directly to the d-rings.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

The brackets for mine, are only .550" spacing between the two plates.
LG

 

[Lumpy Grits]

OK-We are talk'n about 2 different S'bilt, TBs.
Mine is the old 2" tube style. I can't even find a 'net' picture to show you.
Sorry,
LG

 

[dtrojcak]

OK-We are talk'n about 2 different S'bilt, TBs.

Mine is the old 2" tube style. I can't even find a 'net' picture to show you.

Sorry,

LG

I was thinking it was something like that, lol.
We were confusing each other.
Thanks for the attempt to help.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Just strange that I can't even find a picture of 'my' towbar.
Smittybilt sold them in the 1980's. Hell for strong set-up.
Have used it to tow my Jeep all over the western USA.
LG

 

[Lumpy Grits]

He's what I was talk'n about--
Yup, that be me--
LG

 

[dtrojcak]

I haven't found any tow-bars that are built as strong as that one looks.

I considered having a welding shop make one for me, but I thought it would be quicker and easier to just buy a pre-made one.

I have another truck that I use on a cattle/deer lease that is no longer street-legal.
I'm really hoping the tow-bar I bought will fit on my jeep's d-rings, so I can use the universal mounts on the other truck. This would allow me to easily use the tow-bar on either vehicle.

 

[CJ007]

He's what I was talk'n about--
Yup, that be me--
LG

Thats a nice looking tow bar. :drool: I have a solid one a buddy built for my YJ but I am having trouble getting pics from my phone. That Jeep (Wrangler for the hardcore) is now my sons. I have been meaning to put some tabs on my front bumper so I can tow it but it seems I am always doing the towing because he still hasn't learned to go easy on the skinny pedal when we go out.

It also fits right onto my buddys TJ. He's has towed his all the way to San Carlos Mex to hang out at the beach.

They do come in handy.

 

[dtrojcak]

Just an update, I received the tow bar yesterday.
It attaches just fine to my Warn d-rings.
The only problem I can see is the Warn d-rings are "squared" at the top and bottom instead of being "rounded".
The only problem this causes is the tow bar can't be lifted to an upright position after unhooking from the towing vehicle.
It only allows the tow bar to reach about 45 degrees from flat either up or down.
When I get to the lease, I'll have to disconnect the tow bar from the jeep completely instead of just folding it into the upright position.
Not really that big of a deal though.

Thanks again for everyone who attempted to answer my questions.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

Just 'round' the top edge of your 'rings' for clearance.
This is not uncommon.
LG

 

[dtrojcak]

Just 'round' the top edge of your 'rings' for clearance.

This is not uncommon.

LG

I thought about doing that also.
I think it moves up and down enough to not be a problem, but I'm a little concerned with having enough movement of the tow bar while going over a large hump or a low spot out in the pasture.
I think I'll take the grinder to it just to be safe. It doesn't appear to need very much material removed to allow clearance, maybe 1/4" or so.

 

[Lumpy Grits]

I thought about doing that also.
I think it moves up and down enough to not be a problem, but I'm a little concerned with having enough movement of the tow bar while going over a large hump or a low spot out in the pasture.
I think I'll take the grinder to it just to be safe. It doesn't appear to need very much material removed to allow clearance, maybe 1/4" or so.

You will be surprised just how much up/down bar movement you will see from just entering/leaving a driveway.
I would do the mod-Then grease the pivot points when towing.
Just don't forget to unlock the steering wheel--
LG

 

[dtrojcak]

You will be surprised just how much up/down bar movement you will see from just entering/leaving a driveway.

I would do the mod-Then grease the pivot points when towing.

Just don't forget to unlock the steering wheel--

LG

I hadn't even thought about grease. Thanks for the tip.
Do you think actual grease, or would WD40 or similar be good enough?
My longest tow would only be about 30 miles 1way.

It's got a dash mounted ignition, so no locking steering wheel. One less thing to remember when towing at least.

 

[dtrojcak]

Another tow-related question.

Can I simply splice into the wires for the rear brake/turn lights on my jeep in order to have "trailer" lights?

 

[Torxhead]

You can if you unplug the rear harness so it will not backfeed into the rest of the system, the plug is easily located under the dash. This will also disconnect the fuel gauge from its sending unit. There are ways to set the wiring system up so a backfeed will not happen by installing diodes, this system setup can be found on the net somewhere.

 

[007]

Another tow-related question.

Can I simply splice into the wires for the rear brake/turn lights on my jeep in order to have "trailer" lights?

I wondered that myself as I do a bit of flat towing, but for $20 off Amazon I got a pair of magnetic lights with a 20' 4 cable wire and figured that would be good enough for me.

 

[dtrojcak]

You can if you unplug the rear harness so it will not backfeed into the rest of the system, the plug is easily located under the dash. This will also disconnect the fuel gauge from its sending unit. There are ways to set the wiring system up so a backfeed will not happen by installing diodes, this system setup can be found on the net somewhere.

Are you talking about the steering column plug?
I was under the impression that the brake/turn lights were not connected to anything unless the brake was pushed and/or the blinker switch was engaged.

I may just run the wires all the way to the lights and install another bulb inside the taillight housing. I've seen where several people have done it that way.