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Blue Ox
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Original price was $699.99. Current price is $639.00.You save $60.99 (9%)
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Authorized Dealer2016 - 2019 Ford Explorer
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{'feature': 'Custom Design', 'description': 'Custom designed for each specific towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and efficient performance.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Experience a new level of convenience and safety when towing your vehicle with the Blue Ox BX2668 Tow Bar Bracket. This high-quality product is custom-designed for each specific towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and seamless performance. It is constructed using durable steel material, offering incredible strength and longevity. The bracket features a sleek black color and a powder coat finish, providing excellent resistance against rust and corrosion. It comes with a bolt-on mounting type, allowing for easy and secure installation. Best of all, all necessary mounting hardware is included in the package, along with detailed instructions for a straightforward, do-it-yourself installation. With the Blue Ox BX2668 Tow Bar Bracket, towing your vehicle has never been safer and more efficient.
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
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 - 2019 | Ford Explorer | Vehicles With Adaptive Cruise Control, EcoBoost, & Shutters Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Requires Some Trimming of Bumper Fascia/Plastic/And/Or Grill Minor Drilling Required |
Total for 1 item:
$639.00$699.99
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select FORD EXPLORER LIMITED (Part #FDRWBX2668) fits the following vehicles: 2016-2019 Ford Explorer. Always verify your specific year, make, and model before ordering.
Yes, the BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select FORD EXPLORER LIMITED (Part #FDRWBX2668) is designed to fit the 2016-2019 Ford Explorer.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select FORD EXPLORER LIMITED (Part #FDRWBX2668) fits 2016-2019 Ford Explorer models. The 2019 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 FORD EXPLORER LIMITED (Part #FDRWBX2668) Refer to the included instructions for installation details. Basic hand tools are typically all you need.
Yes. The BX2668 is designed for 2016-2019 Ford Explorer, including models with Adaptive Cruise Control, EcoBoost engines, and shutters. However, the dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable, and you may need to tailor the baseplate slightly to compensate for manufacturer tolerances.
The attachment tab height is 16-1/2" and the attachment tab width is 22".
Required tools include: large vise grip, utility knife, torque wrench, drill, reciprocating saw, Loctite Red, 3/8" drill bit, 5.5MM socket, 8MM socket, 10MM socket, 11MM socket, 5/16" nut driver, 7/16" socket, 7/16" wrench, 9/16" socket, 9/16" wrench, and 1-1/8" socket.
Yes. The fascia and windshield washer fluid reservoir must be removed and reinstalled during baseplate installation. All removed items should be placed on a flat, sturdy surface and will be reinstalled after the baseplate is installed, unless otherwise noted.
Yes. Drilling is required. You will use a 3/8" drill bit to drill the upper two holes on the side of the baseplate through the frame on both sides of the vehicle (step 15).
Significant trimming is required using a reciprocating saw. You must trim marked areas below the shutters, on the fascia (without cutting completely through), the bottom two shutters (4" across and roughly 1/2" deep on both sides), areas to be flush with shielding, middle plastic about 1-1/2" up to the bottom shutter, and areas beside the shutters. Additionally, the frame must be cut and bent back on both sides to increase frame access hole. The outer tab on the backside of the fascia must be trimmed flush with the backside for clearance. Cut frame edges should be painted to prevent rusting.
Yes. 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. Blue Ox Dealers can be found at www.blueox.com or by contacting the Technical Service Department at (402) 385-3051.
3/8" Grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 33 foot-pounds. Use Loctite Red on all bolt threads before tightening.
3/4" Grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 257 foot-pounds. Use Loctite Red on all bolt threads before tightening.
1/4" Grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 10 foot-pounds. Use Loctite Red on all bolt threads before tightening.
The BX8848 4-Diode Wiring Kit is recommended for this vehicle, but the manual does not specify whether it is included. Contact your Blue Ox Dealer or the Technical Service Department at (402) 385-3051 to confirm whether the kit is included or must be purchased separately.
Disconnect the red positive cable. Do not disconnect the black negative cable, as the brake lights on the towed vehicle will not work if you do.
The baseplate is computer tested to your vehicle's GVWR. Exceeding this weight will void the manufacturer's warranty. Refer to your vehicle owner's manual for manufacturer's towing specifications.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. They prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the connection between the frame and baseplate fails. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame and must not mount against wires, hoses, or brake lines. The two cables together must have an adequate weight rating for the towing system. These 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.
Before reinstalling the fascia, ensure that all electrical connections are plugged in and accessories are functioning properly. The fascia will fit snugly when reinstalled.
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. 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 recalls.
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 kit includes: 6 nut plates with 14" wire (61-5208), 2 whiz nuts with 18" wire (61-6859), 1 baseplate (61-7826), 2 attachment tab assemblies with hole (62-3468), 1 PS support bracket (101-8897), 1 DS support bracket (101-8898), 1 1/4"-20 x 3/4" hex head bolt Grade 5 (201-0050), 2 #10-32 1/2" round slotted head screws (201-0192), 10 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2" hex head bolts Grade 5 (201-0440), 2 3/4"-10 x 1-3/4" hex head bolts Grade 5 (201-0514), 2 #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws (201-0979), 2 #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), 4 3/8"-16 hex nylon insert lock nuts (202-0090), 1 1/4"-20 hex nylon nut (202-0102), 18 1/4" flat washers (203-0001), 6 3/8" flat washers (203-0003), 10 3/8" lock washers (203-0010), 2 3/4" lock washers (203-0014), 2 #10 lock washers (203-0054), 1 4-way bracket (299-0685), 2 class IV safety cables (226-0049), 2 1/2" quicklinks (229-0512), and 2 black cap plug receivers (290-0437).
Seven fascia screws must be removed from the top edge: three on the driver side and four on the passenger side, using a 10MM socket.
Seven screws must be removed from the edge of the wheel well using a 5.5MM socket, and one push pin must be removed above the center of the wheel. This must be done on both sides of the vehicle.
Three screws must be removed from the fascia joint on each side of the vehicle using a 10MM socket after pulling back the wheel well liner. This must be done on both sides.
Seven screws must be removed from the underside of the fascia using an 8MM socket: two in each corner and three across the front.
Two nuts must be removed from the washer reservoir using an 11MM socket. Additionally, one screw must be removed using an 8MM socket. All lines must be disconnected or plugged, and the reservoir set aside.
The bottom two shutters should be trimmed 4" across and roughly 1/2" deep using a reciprocating saw. This must be done on both sides of the vehicle.
The middle plastic should be trimmed about 1-1/2" up to the bottom shutter, ensuring it is flush with the plastic shielding.
On the driver side, ensure the cutting is performed against the contour of the motor.
Using a reciprocating saw, cut the frame and then bend back the piece as shown to increase frame access hole. This must be done on both sides of the vehicle. Cut frame edges should be painted with good quality paint to prevent rusting.
Install the baseplate onto the frame and clamp in place. Install the 3/4" bolt and lock washer into the existing hole on the underside of the frame. Insert the 3/4" nut plate on the inside of the frame, level the baseplate, and loosely tighten the bolt. Do this on both sides of the vehicle.
Install the 3/8" hardware into the existing holes and fully tighten the bolts on both sides of the vehicle. Use Loctite Red on all bolt threads and tighten all bolts to the appropriate torque (33 foot-pounds for Grade 5).
Using a 3/8" drill bit, drill the upper two holes on the side of the baseplate through the frame. Install the 3/8" bolts (white) as indicated and insert wire nuts through the hole in the frame (gray), fully tightening. Do this on both sides of the vehicle. Use Loctite Red on all bolt threads and tighten all bolts to the appropriate torque.
Attach the permanent baseplate safety cables to the provided convenience link on the baseplate. The photo shows the recommended installation of the cables to the frame of the vehicle. Additional options may interfere with suggested mounting; in that case, secure the cables to a solid piece of the frame as described in the General Information sheet. Be sure the safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Do this on both sides of the vehicle.
Install nine 1/4" washers onto the two studs for the washer reservoir (top). Reinstall the washer reservoir onto the studs and reinstall the factory nuts. The factory screw will not be reinstalled.
Hold the fascia as close to its original position, mark and trim the fascia around the convenience links and attachment tabs. Reinstall the fascia. Note that the fascia will fit snugly when reinstalled.
On the backside of the fascia, trim the outer tab shown flush with the backside of the fascia for clearance of the baseplate. Do this on both sides of the vehicle.
Yes, the BX2668 is designed for 2016-2019 Ford Explorer including Adaptive Cruise Control, EcoBoost, and shutter models.
Yes. You will drill two upper holes on each side of the baseplate through the frame using a 3/8" drill bit.
Yes. Significant trimming with a reciprocating saw is required on the fascia, shutters, frame, and plastic shielding. The frame must also be cut and bent.
Required tools include: torque wrench, drill with 3/8" bit, reciprocating saw, large vise grip, utility knife, Loctite Red, and sockets (5.5MM, 8MM, 10MM, 11MM, 5/16", 7/16", 9/16", 1-1/8").
Yes. The fascia and windshield washer fluid reservoir must be removed and reinstalled during installation.
Torque 3/8" Grade 5 bolts to 33 foot-pounds. Use Loctite Red on all bolt threads.
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.
The brake lights will not work if you disconnected the black negative cable during installation. Reconnect the black negative cable. The manual recommends disconnecting the red positive cable instead.
The fascia will fit snugly when reinstalled. If it does not fit, verify that you have trimmed the fascia around the convenience links and attachment tabs as instructed in step 19, and that the outer tab on the backside of the fascia has been trimmed flush with the backside for baseplate clearance (step 18).
Ensure you are using Loctite Red on all bolt threads before tightening. Tighten all bolts to the appropriate torque specifications using a torque wrench. Before each towing trip, inspect all bolts and retighten to specification if needed.
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