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It's my turn - Flat Towing Question

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by sparky, Aug 8, 2007.

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  1. Aug 8, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Yes, I searched. R)

    What's the optimal placement for my brackets on the bumper?

    I'm considering just removing the lugs from it as they seem to interfere if I put it outside of the frame rails.

    Inside the frame rails might work too.

    Any problems with drilling through the bumper and putting longer bolts through?

    Tow bar is adjustable width.
     
    Last edited: Aug 29, 2008
    sparky, Aug 8, 2007
    #1
  2. Aug 8, 2007
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
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    Sparky I'd think above the shackles is the best spot. I base this on the fact that you can buy tow bar shackles.
    After looking at the pics I see the d ring mounts, at one time Currie ENT sold a tow bar that used those points.
     
    BlueFlu, Aug 8, 2007
    #2
  3. Aug 8, 2007
    ca51flatty

    ca51flatty I wheeled w Charlie Hazel

    SoCal
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    Jan 19, 2004
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    That's it Sparky! I'm glad you are working on your Jeep like you said you wanted to. Big Bear lit a fire under your rear?

    Currie still sells the tow bar kit and it is best to keep it as close to the frame rail as possible and in a position that will keep the bar as flat as possible in relation to your tow vehicle. Those D-rings look like they are just in the wrong spot for your application.
     
    ca51flatty, Aug 8, 2007
    #3
  4. Aug 8, 2007
    Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Albertville, AL
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    I put mine centered right in front of the frame rails on the bumper.
     
    Mcruff, Aug 8, 2007
    #4
  5. Aug 8, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Yeah, I've been wanting to work on it. Just haven't been home to work on it, that and work. :(

    The bumper was on my TJ, it's been retrofitted to the CJ-5.

    I can remove the lugs for the clevises. I wondered if I ought not do that.
     
    sparky, Aug 8, 2007
    #5
  6. Aug 8, 2007
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
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    I'd leave those on Sparky never know when you may need them. ;)
     
    BlueFlu, Aug 8, 2007
    #6
  7. Aug 8, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Got a tow hook on the frame I'd prefer to use unless that's not a good idea? Besides, everyone is saying essentially right where those lugs are is where I should put the tow bar mount.
     
    sparky, Aug 8, 2007
    #7
  8. Aug 8, 2007
    BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Hermitage, TN
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    Either and or. :)
     
    BlueFlu, Aug 8, 2007
    #8
  9. Aug 8, 2007
    jayhawkclint

    jayhawkclint ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑΒΕ

    Oklahoma City, USA
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    May 18, 2006
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    2,622
    This has worked out well for me:
    [​IMG]
     
    jayhawkclint, Aug 8, 2007
    #9
  10. Aug 8, 2007
    Hawk62cj5

    Hawk62cj5 Captain of OldSchool

    Brodnax Va.
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    I have a push bar so I could not mount it square with the frame .This is what I did , I made a 1 inch thick tab , and drilled the hole a loose 3/4" then I mounted it with it offset to the outer part of the frame but the inner bolts went though the frame the other was only a little over a inch away from the frame. The mounts work for D rings and the towbar I made. Sorry best pics I have
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]



    edit : I didnt look at your pics ,,,,, :shock:pps: Why not modify the towbar to work on you lugs. It would give your bumper a cleaner look and might save your shins a few times ?
     
    Last edited: Aug 8, 2007
    Hawk62cj5, Aug 8, 2007
    #10
  11. Aug 9, 2007
    bkd

    bkd Moderator Supreme Staff Member 2022 Sponsor

    K-Town Tenn.
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    placed like your 3rd pic. Going thru the end of the frame rail makes the most sense to me.
    I towed Kahuna w/ a U shaped bracket and 1 bolt 3 1/2 hours to Big Bear...no problems ( in fact if you remember that became the improvised D ring for winch hook placement;))
    Jim S.
     
    bkd, Aug 9, 2007
    #11
  12. Aug 9, 2007
    bnorth10

    bnorth10 Wicked Willys Customs

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    six to one, half a dozen to another but I personally like them just inside the frame for strength and it just plain looks better to me.
     
    bnorth10, Aug 9, 2007
    #12
  13. Aug 9, 2007
    bkap

    bkap Gone, but not long gone.

    Tucson, AZ
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    My 2 cents:

    I'm thinking about mounting my tow bar to the clevis mounts I put through the bumper. They are mounted inside the frame rails and to put the tow bar brackets on the outside would only work if I weld them because of how I did the bumper mounts and the way I angled up the ends of the bumper. Can't fit any bolts though. I asked on here a while back and the consensus was to not weld the brackets.
     
    bkap, Aug 9, 2007
    #13
  14. Aug 9, 2007
    panzer

    panzer Super Mod Staff Member

    Columbus, OH
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    This is what I did. It's dual purpose. Seems to work well. The hole on the left in
    the close up is for emergency purposes. I can mount the towing bracket there
    if the shackle brackets are damaged. I forgot to mention the brackets are in line
    w/ the frame.
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2007
    panzer, Aug 9, 2007
    #14
  15. Aug 9, 2007
    mortten

    mortten I can’t put my finger on it 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Peninsula, Ohio
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    I have mine inside the frame rails. Towed it from Ohio to North Carolina and back with no problems.
     
    mortten, Aug 9, 2007
    #15
  16. Aug 9, 2007
    scott milliner

    scott milliner Master Fabricator

    Seattle Wa.
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    scott milliner, Aug 9, 2007
    #16
  17. Aug 9, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    I had the same idea Jason had - any way to just use the clevis mounts as the tow bar mount?
     
    Boyink, Aug 9, 2007
    #17
  18. Aug 9, 2007
    jeepfreak81

    jeepfreak81 When in Doubt, Pedal out!

    Owosso, MI
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    I have put mine on my YJ that way... worked well for moving it around the yard. I would think it would be fine for the street too.
     
    jeepfreak81, Aug 9, 2007
    #18
  19. Aug 9, 2007
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    I agree, use those clevis mounts as the tow bar mounts. Look at the placement and design... they are the strongest point. Modify the tow bar to fit those mounts, or devise an adapter to couple the two. Should be pretty easy.

    EDIT Although my bumper didn't have clevis mounts, tou can see my tow bar connected at the same place your clevis mounts are. I had a 1/4" x2" L bracket outside of each frame rail/behind the bumper that tied the bumper and tow bar mount to the frame.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Aug 9, 2007
    lynn, Aug 9, 2007
    #19
  20. Aug 9, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    I probably could modify the tow bar. As it is now it wouldn't work. Hafta see what I can do. But that sounds like the best option.
     
    sparky, Aug 9, 2007
    #20
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