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Blue Ox
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2007 - 2011 Dodge Nitro
Confirmed to Fit
2008 - 2011 Jeep Liberty
Confirmed to Fit
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Custom Design: The Blue Ox BX1976 Tow Bar Bracket is custom designed for each specific towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and easy installation.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Experience the durability and convenience of the Blue Ox BX1976 Tow Bar Bracket. Masterfully crafted from high-grade steel, this product assures durability and longevity. Its sleek black powder coat finish not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also provides a corrosion-resistant layer, ensuring the product's long-lasting performance. The Tow Bar Bracket is specifically designed for each towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and easy installation. The kit includes all the necessary hardware, making the installation process easy and hassle-free. Enjoy the confidence that comes with using a Blue Ox BX1976 Tow Bar Bracket, an epitome of strength and convenience.
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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Call 888-634-94943 Years
2 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 - 2011 | Dodge Nitro | Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Minor Drilling Required Use only w/Motorhome Mount Tow Bars Or PN BX8833/BX88151 Adapters Only Use Acclaim w/23”: 30” Spaced Removable Tab Baseplates Only Use Adventurer with 18”: 41” Spaced Removable Tab Baseplates Removable Tabs w/Only 1 Hole Will Not Attach to Car Mount Tow Bars or Adapters |
| 2008 - 2011 | Jeep Liberty | No Renegade Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Minor Drilling Required Use only w/Motorhome Mount Tow Bars Or PN BX8833/BX88151 Adapters Only Use Acclaim w/23”: 30” Spaced Removable Tab Baseplates Only Use Adventurer with 18”: 41” Spaced Removable Tab Baseplates Removable Tabs w/Only 1 Hole Will Not Attach to Car Mount Tow Bars or Adapters |
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, DODGE NITRO/JEEP LIBRTY (Part #FDRWBX1976) fits the following vehicles: 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro; 2008-2011 Jeep Liberty. Always verify your specific year, make, and model before ordering.
Yes, the BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, DODGE NITRO/JEEP LIBRTY (Part #FDRWBX1976) is designed to fit the 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, DODGE NITRO/JEEP LIBRTY (Part #FDRWBX1976) fits 2007-2011 Dodge Nitro models. The 2011 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, DODGE NITRO/JEEP LIBRTY (Part #FDRWBX1976) Refer to the included instructions for installation details. Basic hand tools are typically all you need.
Yes, the BX1976 baseplate is designed to fit both 2007-11 Dodge Nitro and 2008-11 Jeep Liberty vehicles. However, the installation procedure differs between the two models. Dodge vehicles require removal of the fascia and grille, while Jeep vehicles have a different fascia removal process. Both vehicles require some drilling and trimming.
The attachment tab height is 17-1/2" and the attachment tab width is 20".
Required tools include: large vise grip, flat screwdriver, utility knife, drill, tape measure, torque wrench, 13/32" drill bit, 10MM socket, 9/16" socket, T25 Torx bit, and Loctite Red. Diagonal cutters and side cutters are also needed for removing pop rivets and pushpins.
The BX8869 Tail Light Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle. The manual instructs to drill a hole according to the tail light wiring kit instructions, but does not explicitly state whether it is mandatory or optional.
Yes. On Dodge Nitro vehicles, the fascia and grille must be removed and reinstalled after baseplate installation. On Jeep Liberty vehicles, the fascia must be removed. All removed items should be placed on a flat, sturdy surface and will be reinstalled unless otherwise noted after the baseplate is installed.
Yes, drilling is required. You must drill a hole into the frame rail with a 13/32" drill bit using the baseplate as a template. Some vehicles may also need existing holes reamed with the 13/32" drill bit to acquire proper fit. Additionally, a hole must be drilled according to the tail light wiring kit instructions.
Yes, trimming is required. On Dodge vehicles, you must trim the corner of the fascia as shown in the installation photos; the amount of trimming varies depending on what is needed to get the fascia reinstalled around the baseplate. On Jeep vehicles, you must trim a 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" corner on the back side of the fascia at both corners. Additionally, a rubber piece must be removed from the backside of the Dodge fascia by removing a pushpin and cutting next to the clip with a utility knife.
Yes, on Jeep Liberty vehicles only, you must bend the brace brackets under the transmission cooler up to 45 degrees, being careful not to damage the radiator behind the transmission cooler.
According to the bolt torque specifications chart, 3/8" Grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 33 foot-pounds, and 3/8" Grade 8 bolts should be torqued to 47 foot-pounds. The BX1976 uses Grade 5 bolts (3/8"-16 x 1-1/2" and 3/8"-16 x 2"), so torque to 33 foot-pounds. Always use Loctite Red on all bolt threads before tightening.
The installation sequence is: (1) Remove fascia and grille components (steps vary by vehicle); (2) Remove bumper hub bolts; (3) Bend transmission cooler brace (Jeep only); (4) Remove rubber piece from fascia (Dodge only); (5) Align baseplate with existing frame holes and drill new holes as needed; (6) Insert nut plates and tighten bolts with washers and lock washers using 9/16" socket; (7) Attach permanent baseplate safety cables to frame; (8) Trim fascia corners as needed; (9) Replace plastic rivets; (10) Reinstall bumper, grille, and fascia.
Attach the permanent baseplate safety cables to the provided convenience link on the baseplate. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. The manual shows recommended installation of the cables to the frame. If additional options interfere with suggested mounting, secure the cables to a solid piece of the frame as described in the General Information sheet. Ensure the safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Install on both sides of the vehicle.
If the baseplate is in an accident, it must be replaced. Do not use it again. An accident can cause unseen damage, and using it again could result in more damage or serious injury. Do not use the baseplate if it is damaged or missing parts.
The baseplate is computer tested to your vehicle's GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Rating). Exceeding this weight will void the manufacturer's warranty. You must reference your vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's towing specifications.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. Their function is to prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the connection between the frame and baseplate fails or becomes disconnected. These cables must be used in conjunction with, and are not a replacement for, legally required safety cables attaching the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle.
Before reinstalling the fascia, ensure that all electrical connections are plugged in and accessories are functioning properly. This is critical to verify that lights and other components work correctly before the fascia is put back in place.
It is the owner's responsibility to 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. Additionally, register your product online at www.blueox.com to be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Yes, it is recommended to remove the attachment tabs when not in use.
The hardware kit includes: 6 x 3/8" nut plates with 14" wire, 2 x backing plates, 2 x #10-32 1/2" round slotted head screws, 2 x 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2" hex head bolts (Grade 5), 4 x 3/8"-16 x 2" hex head bolts (Grade 5), 2 x #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws, 2 x #10-32 hex nuts, 4 x 3/8" flat washers, 6 x 3/8" lock washers, 2 x #10 lock washers, 1 x electrical bracket, 2 x class III safety cables, 2 x 3/8" quicklinks, 4 x 6.3MM plastic rivets, and 2 x black cap plug receivers.
The manual states that many Blue Ox baseplates are designed to use existing holes and hardware to mount the baseplate. However, do not assume existing bolts are adequate for baseplate mounting. Always use the hardware supplied in the hardware kit and existing hardware as specified in the installation instructions. For the BX1976, you will reuse existing frame holes but must use the supplied nut plates and bolts.
Place all components that are removed on a flat, sturdy surface. All items will be reinstalled unless otherwise noted after the baseplate is installed. This includes pushpins, bolts, the fascia, grille, bumper, and bumper hubs.
Yes, use a good quality paint to spray cut edges of frame to prevent rusting. This is important to protect the frame from corrosion after drilling.
Yes, the dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable. While the baseplate was designed for easy installation, it may be necessary to tailor the baseplate slightly to compensate for vehicle manufacturer's tolerances. Some vehicles may need existing holes reamed with the 13/32" drill bit to acquire proper fit.
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 necessary to do fit work. If needed, Blue Ox Dealers can be found at www.blueox.com or by contacting the Technical Service Department at (402) 385-3051.
Yes, the BX1976 is designed for both 2007-11 Dodge Nitro and 2008-11 Jeep Liberty vehicles. Installation procedures differ between models.
You will need: drill with 13/32" bit, torque wrench, 9/16" and 10MM sockets, T25 Torx bit, flat screwdriver, utility knife, diagonal cutters, tape measure, large vise grip, and Loctite Red.
Yes. You must drill a 13/32" hole into the frame rail and trim the fascia corners. On Dodge vehicles, trim the fascia corner as needed; on Jeep vehicles, trim a 1 1/2" x 1 1/2" corner on the back side of the fascia.
Torque 3/8" Grade 5 bolts to 33 foot-pounds. Always apply Loctite Red to all bolt threads before tightening.
The baseplate is computer tested to your vehicle's GVWR. Exceeding this weight voids the warranty. Check your vehicle owner's manual for towing specifications.
Yes. On Dodge Nitro, both the fascia and grille must be removed. On Jeep Liberty, the fascia must be removed. Both will be reinstalled after baseplate installation.
If the baseplate is damaged or involved in an accident, it must be replaced. Do not reuse a damaged baseplate as unseen damage could cause serious injury.
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