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Blue Ox
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2005 - 2006 Ford Freestar
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Original price was $699.99. Current price is $609.00.You save $90.99 (13%)
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Custom Designed For Your Vehicle
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Blue Ox base plates are custom designed for each specific towed vehicle. When you purchase a Blue Ox base plate, it includes all the necessary hardware and instructions for a do-it-yourself installation.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 - 2006 | Ford Freestar | Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 4 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Requires Some Trimming of Bumper Fascia/Plastic/And/Or Grill Minor Drilling Required Requires Some Trimming of the Air Dam Headlights Must be Removed and Replaced During Installation 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 |
Yes, the BX2178 is designed specifically for the 2005 Ford Freestar. The attachment tabs are 24 inches center to center with a height of 15 1/4 inches. However, the manual notes that dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable, and minor adjustments such as filing holes, bending electrical rods, adding shims, or bending end plates may be necessary to compensate for manufacturer tolerances.
The BX8869 bulb and socket wiring kit is available for the 2005 Ford Freestar but is not stated as required. The manual lists it as an optional accessory that can be ordered separately.
The headlight assembly, front fascia, horn bracket, and windshield washer reservoir must be removed for base plate installation. Removal steps include: removing push pins and screws from the plastic cover and fascia, disconnecting electrical connectors, removing metric bolts from the radiator reservoir and horn bracket, and unplugging the washer reservoir electrical connector and fluid line.
Required tools are: 8MM socket, 7/16" socket, 9/16" socket, 9/32" drill bit, 13/32" drill bit, Phillips screw driver, utility knife, hack saw or reciprocating saw, and Loctite Red. A 7MM socket is also needed for removing metric bolts from the headlight assembly area.
Yes, drilling is required. Using the base plate as a template, you must drill three holes into the frame webbing on the top and lower edge using a 13/32" drill bit on both sides. Additionally, a 9/32" drill bit is used to drill out the front mount hole for the washer reservoir on the upper frame webbing just forward of the base plate.
Yes, trimming is required on the back side of the fascia. The manual states: 'Hold fascia to its original position, trim if needed on back side of fascia. Do not remove horizontal style in lower fascia opening.' Additionally, webbing must be cut and removed flush with the side of the frame rail just behind the metal bumper using a hack saw or reciprocating saw on both sides.
1. Cut and remove webbing flush with the frame rail behind the metal bumper (both sides). 2. Insert bolt plates into holes on the side of frame rail to align with existing holes, then slide base plate into place to align with spacer plate holes. 3. Tighten 3/8" hex nuts, flat washers and lock washers using Loctite Red. 4. Drill three remaining holes into frame webbing using 13/32" drill bit (both sides). 5. Insert 3/8" hex bolts into upper base plate holes and drilled frame holes, tighten with Loctite Red. 6. Place 1/2" pipe between lower front hole and frame webbing, insert 3/8" hex bolt, tighten with Loctite Red. 7. Drill 9/32" hole for washer reservoir on upper frame webbing. 8. Reinstall washer reservoir bolts and insert 1/4" hex bolt assembly with spacer tube.
The attachment tabs are 24 inches center to center and have a height of 15 1/4 inches.
The kit includes: 6 pieces of 3/8-16 x 2" hex bolts (Grade 5), 2 pieces of 3/8" flat washers, 10 pieces of 3/8" lock washers, 10 pieces of 3/8-16 hex nuts, 1 piece of 1/4-20 x 2 1/2" hex bolt (Grade 5), 4 pieces of 1/4" flat washers, 1 piece of 1/4" lock washer, 1 piece of 1/4-20 hex nut, 2 pieces of #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws, 2 pieces of #10-32 x 1/2" slot round head screws, 2 pieces of #10 lock washers, 2 pieces of #10-32 hex nuts, 2 pieces of 4-way electrical connectors, 2 pieces of attachment assemblies, 2 pieces of 36" baseplate safety cables (Class III), 2 pieces of 3/8" quicklinks, and 2 pieces of receiver cap plugs.
Two pipe sizes are used: one 3/8" Schedule 40 pipe x 1 1/2" long (placed between the base plate's lower front hole and drilled hole in frame webbing), and two 3/8" Schedule 40 pipes x 1/2" long (used as spacer tubes in the washer reservoir mounting assembly).
Loctite Red must be applied to all bolts before tightening to ensure they remain secure. The manual states this requirement multiple times and emphasizes that it is crucial for the safety and preservation of the base plate. All bolts must be tightened according to the torque chart in the General Instructions sheet.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. The BX2178 kit includes 2 pieces of 36" baseplate safety cables (Class III) with 3/8" quicklinks. 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. Do not mount the cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines.
Before each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for: cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all bolts are tightened to the recommended specifications using Loctite Red. The attachment tabs should be removed when not in use.
After reinstalling the horn bracket, fascia, and headlight assemblies, ensure all electrical components are plugged in properly. The manual specifically mentions verifying that the headlight assembly electrical connectors and horn bracket connections are fully seated. Additionally, the windshield washer reservoir electrical connector must be properly connected.
No, the attachment tabs should be removed when not in use. This helps protect the base plate and prevents damage to the tabs when the vehicle is being driven without towing.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. Contact your Blue Ox dealer or distributor to obtain genuine replacement parts. Using non-genuine substitutes could compromise the safety of your towing system.
If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade (usually Grade 5) to ensure safety and preservation of the base plate. Only genuine factory replacement parts should be used on the base plate. Do not substitute homemade or non-typical parts. Repair parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox dealer or distributor.
Watch carefully for oil cooler and air conditioner lines, electrical wires, and hoses during installation. Do not mount the permanent baseplate safety cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines. If the baseplate is improperly installed and comes into contact with a wire or hose, it could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after installation. It is the installer's responsibility to ensure proper clearance from all fluid and electrical lines.
Yes, it is crucial to register your BX2178 base plate online at www.blueox.com. Registration ensures you will be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Yes, the BX2178 is designed for the 2005 Ford Freestar with attachment tabs 24 inches center to center and 15 1/4 inches high. Minor adjustments may be needed due to manufacturer tolerances.
Yes. Drill three holes using a 13/32" drill bit into frame webbing on both sides, and one hole using a 9/32" drill bit for the washer reservoir. Trimming on the back side of the fascia and cutting webbing flush with the frame rail are also required.
Required tools: 8MM socket, 7MM socket, 7/16" socket, 9/16" socket, 9/32" and 13/32" drill bits, Phillips screw driver, utility knife, hack saw or reciprocating saw, and Loctite Red.
The kit includes 3/8" and 1/4" hex bolts, flat washers, lock washers, hex nuts, self-drilling screws, electrical connectors, attachment assemblies, 36" safety cables with quicklinks, and receiver cap plugs. All bolts must be Grade 5 and tightened with Loctite Red.
Yes, permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended and included with the kit. They must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member and used in conjunction with legally required safety cables. Do not mount cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines.
Before each towing trip, inspect for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all bolts are tightened to specifications with Loctite Red. Remove attachment tabs when not in use. Register the product at www.blueox.com for safety bulletins and recalls.
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