BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, JEEP WRANGLER, UNLIMTDBlue OxIn Stock
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Blue Ox
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1997 - 2002 Jeep TJ
Confirmed to Fit
1997 - 2002 Jeep Wrangler
Confirmed to Fit
Always the correct part
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Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
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Made from high-quality steel for ultimate strength and durability.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX1118 Tow Bar Bracket is a robust and reliable solution for your towing needs. This custom-designed, bolt-on base plate is made from high-quality steel, finished with a durable black powder coat for enhanced resistance to wear and tear. The BX1118 is specifically designed for each towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and superior performance. The package comes complete with all necessary hardware and clear instructions for a hassle-free, do-it-yourself installation. Upgrade your towing setup with the Blue Ox BX1118 Tow Bar Bracket - for unmatched strength, convenience, and longevity.
Blue Ox is known internationally for recreational and commercial towing products, manufacturing in Pender, Nebraska since 1925. The line covers tow bars and vehicle-specific baseplates for flat towing behind a motorhome, sway control and weight distributing hitches, supplemental braking accessories and towing wiring, backed by patented designs and long-standing customer service.
Blue Ox has manufactured since 1925 and is recognised internationally for towing products and customer service. The company operates from Pender, Nebraska, where it grew out of Automatic Manufacturing Co., a business that started with cattle oilers and developed into agricultural equipment, tractor accessories and trailer towing hardware. That agricultural engineering heritage still shows in how the towing products are built, and the company holds patents across weight distribution, fifth wheel and tow bar designs.
Flat towing is the discipline Blue Ox is best known for. Towing a car with all four wheels on the ground behind a motorhome demands a system that stays rigid under braking, articulates properly over uneven ground, and connects to the towed vehicle at points strong enough to take the load. Blue Ox tow bars handle the first two, with self-aligning arms that latch under tension and release without a struggle when the load is off them. Vehicle-specific baseplates handle the third, engineered per make and model to tie into structural mounting points behind the fascia.
The wider flat towing range covers supplemental braking systems, safety cables and the accessories that make a complete legal setup, along with baseplate wiring and dinghy towing harnesses that pass lighting signals to the towed vehicle without back-feeding its electrical system.
For conventional trailer towing, Blue Ox weight distributing hitches with integrated sway control transfer tongue load onto the tow vehicle's front axle and resist the yaw that crosswinds and passing trucks induce.
The company describes its foundation as customer service, designing around what owners actually ask for, and it runs an RV park adjacent to the factory where customers can stay. Sister operations at the same Nebraska site include Automatic grain roller mills and MAD-RAMPS pivoting ramp systems.
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2 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 - 2002 | Jeep TJ | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2 Requires Minor Drilling PN BX88152 Adapter Can Not Be Used w/This Baseplate w/Standard Bumper |
| 1997 - 2002 | Jeep Wrangler | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2 Requires Minor Drilling PN BX88152 Adapter Can Not Be Used w/This Baseplate w/Standard Bumper |
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The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, JEEP WRANGLER (Part #FDRWBX1118) fits the following vehicles: 1997-2002 Jeep TJ; 1997-2002 Jeep Wrangler. Always verify your specific year, make, and model before ordering.
Yes, the BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, JEEP WRANGLER (Part #FDRWBX1118) is designed to fit the 1997-2002 Jeep TJ.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, JEEP WRANGLER (Part #FDRWBX1118) fits 1997-2002 Jeep TJ models. The 2002 model year is the last year covered by this part number. For newer models, check for an updated version.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, JEEP WRANGLER (Part #FDRWBX1118) Refer to the included instructions for installation details. Basic hand tools are typically all you need.
Yes, the BX1118 is designed for 1997-02 Jeep Wrangler models. The baseplate has standard attachment tabs measuring 15" in height and 24" in width. Confirm towability and pre-towing procedures with your vehicle's owner's manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer for specific towing requirements.
The BX1118 standard tab baseplate (24" wide) is compatible with most tow bars, but some require adapters or modifications. The RangeFinder II requires an additional 5/16" hole to be drilled in the attachment tabs. The Ambassador and Adventurer require adapters if tabs are not 24" wide. The Acclaim will not fold and store without an adapter on vehicles with tabs less than 24" wide. Consult your tow bar instructions for specific compatibility.
The following tools are required: 7MM socket, 16MM socket, 9/16" socket, 13/32" socket, vise grips, and Loctite RED. A drill with a 13/32" drill bit is also needed to drill four holes in the passenger's side frame.
The kit includes: 4 weldments with 3/8-16 nutplates and 14" wire (part 61-5208), 1 baseplate weldment (61-5624), 2 #10-32 x 1/2" slot round head screws, 4 3/8-16 x 1-1/2" Grade 5 hex bolts, 2 #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws, 2 #10-32 hex nuts, 2 3/8" flat washers, 4 3/8" lock washers, 2 #10 lock washers, 1 electrical bracket, 2 36" Class III baseplate safety cables, and 2 3/8" quicklinks. Three existing bolts from the vehicle are also used.
The BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is not listed in the parts kit and is recommended as a separate purchase for this vehicle. The manual states it is recommended but does not indicate whether it is included or optional.
Blue Ox towing products are intended to be installed by Blue Ox Dealers who are familiar with the products and have the equipment and knowledge to do fit work. Blue Ox Dealers can be found at www.blueox.us or by contacting Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051. However, the manual does not explicitly state that professional installation is mandatory.
The manual does not specify whether the battery must be disconnected during installation.
Yes. Step 1 of the installation requires someone to hold the gear box and idler arm while you remove three metric bolts from the driver's side. Step 2 requires holding the baseplate in place while inserting the existing bolts.
Yes, drilling is required. You must drill four holes on the passenger's side using a 13/32" drill bit. Additionally, if you plan to use certain adapters or a RangeFinder II tow bar, an additional 5/16" hole must be drilled in the attachment tabs. The manual notes that dimensional variations between vehicles may require minor adjustments including filing holes, bending electrical rods, and/or bending end plates.
A 13/32" drill bit is required to drill the four holes on the passenger's side of the frame.
The drilling of the four 13/32" holes on the passenger's side is permanent. The manual also notes that minor adjustments may include filing holes, bending electrical rods, and/or bending end plates to compensate for manufacturer tolerances, which are also permanent modifications.
The manual references a torque chart on the front page and page 3 of the Baseplate Towing General Instructions but does not explicitly state the torque value in the installation steps. According to the bolt torque specifications table on page 1, for a 3/8" Grade 5 bolt, the torque is 33 foot-pounds.
The manual does not specify the torque value for the three existing metric bolts that are removed and reinstalled on the driver's side. Consult the vehicle's owner's manual or contact the vehicle manufacturer for the correct torque specification for these factory bolts.
The BX1118 attachment tabs measure 15" in height and 24" in width.
The BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle. The manual includes illustrations showing how to install the BX8869 A and BX8869 B versions, though specific wiring details are not provided in the installation instructions.
The parts list shows a 4-pin connector and a 6-pin connector are included with the baseplate, though specific wiring details and routing instructions are not provided in the installation manual.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. The BX1118 kit includes 2 36" Class III baseplate safety cables and 2 3/8" quicklinks. These cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame and must remain installed as long as the baseplate is installed. The permanent baseplate safety cables are to be used in conjunction with, and NOT as a replacement for, legally required safety cables attaching the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle.
The permanent baseplate safety cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. The manual provides two options: Option 1 uses quicklinks on baseplates without Convenience Link Tabs, and Option 2 uses quicklinks on baseplates with Convenience Link Tabs. Do not mount the permanent baseplate safety cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines.
Watch for oil cooler and air conditioner lines, electrical wires and hoses, and missing parts or attaching points on the frame. If the baseplate is improperly installed and is against a wire or hose, it could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after the actual baseplate installation. Do not mount the permanent baseplate safety cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines.
Yes. The manual explicitly states: "BE SURE TO USE LOCTITE® RED ON ALL BOLTS BEFORE TIGHTENING." This applies to all bolts used in the installation.
Use a replacement bolt of the same grade as the original. In most cases, the bolts will be Grade 5. The 3/8-16 x 1-1/2" hex bolts supplied with the kit are Grade 5. Always order replacement parts through your nearest Blue Ox Dealer or Distributor to ensure you receive the correct grade and specification.
Inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts before each towing trip. Be sure to use Loctite Red on all bolts and tighten to the recommended specifications. It is the owner's responsibility to perform these inspections.
Yes. It is crucial to register your product online at www.blueox.com so that you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Yes. The manual states: "Remove the attachment tabs when not in use (if applicable)." This helps protect the baseplate and tow bar when the vehicle is not being towed.
Yes, the BX1118 is designed for 1997-02 Jeep Wrangler models with 15" height and 24" width attachment tabs.
You need: 7MM, 16MM, 9/16", and 13/32" sockets, vise grips, Loctite RED, and a drill with a 13/32" drill bit.
Yes, you must drill four 13/32" holes on the passenger's side. An additional 5/16" hole is required if using certain tow bars like the RangeFinder II.
33 foot-pounds for Grade 5 bolts. Always apply Loctite RED before tightening.
Yes, two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables and two 3/8" quicklinks are included and strongly recommended for use.
Yes, Loctite RED must be applied to all bolts before tightening.
Yes, you need someone to hold the gear box and idler arm while removing the driver's side bolts, and to help position the baseplate during installation.
The BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle.
Do NOT substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. You must obtain replacement pin and clip from the tow bar manufacturer or your Blue Ox Dealer.
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