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Blue Ox
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2001 - 2006 Ford Ranger
Confirmed to Fit
2001 - 2003 Mazda B3000
Confirmed to Fit
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{'feature': 'Material', 'description': 'Made of high-quality steel, ensuring durability and longevity.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX2157 Tow Bar Bracket, designed with precision and a keen attention to detail, provides a seamless integration with your towed vehicle. Crafted from high-quality steel, this bracket boasts durability and robustness. It features a sleek black finish with a protective powder coat that ensures resistance to rust and corrosion. The Blue Ox base plates are customized for each specific towed vehicle, promising a perfect fit and easy installation. The package includes all necessary hardware and instructions, enabling a hassle-free, do-it-yourself installation. This bolt-on mounting type bracket is a reliable choice for your towing needs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 - 2006 | Ford Ranger | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Requires Some Trimming of Bumper Fascia/Plastic/And/Or Grill Minor Drilling Required |
| 2001 - 2003 | Mazda B3000 | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Requires Some Trimming of Bumper Fascia/Plastic/And/Or Grill Minor Drilling Required |
Yes, the BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD RANGER XLT (Part #FDRWBX2157) is designed to fit the 2001-2006 Ford Ranger.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD RANGER XLT (Part #FDRWBX2157) fits 2001-2006 Ford Ranger models. The 2006 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 RANGER XLT (Part #FDRWBX2157) fits the following vehicles: 2001-2006 Ford Ranger; 2001-2003 Mazda B3000. Always verify your specific year, make, and model before ordering.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, FORD RANGER XLT (Part #FDRWBX2157) Refer to the included instructions for installation details. Basic hand tools are typically all you need.
The BX2157 is designed for 2001–04 Ford Ranger XLT with 4.0L V6 and 4WD, and 2001–03 Ford Ranger Edge in 2WD or 4WD. If your Ranger is a different year, engine size, or model, you should verify fitment with Blue Ox or your dealer before purchasing.
Yes. The front bumper must be removed for baseplate installation. You will need an 18mm socket to remove four bolts from the back side of the bumper. You must also disconnect all electrical fixtures from the bumper before setting it aside.
You will need: 10mm socket, 18mm socket, 3/4" wrench, vise grips, transfer punch, 17/32" drill bit, drill, and Loctite Blue. The 10mm socket is for the belly pan bolts, the 18mm socket is for the bumper bolts, and the 17/32" drill bit is for drilling the baseplate mounting holes.
Yes. You must drill two holes, one on each side of the frame, using a 17/32 inch drill bit. The holes are marked using a transfer punch after the baseplate is temporarily aligned with the existing front holes on the frame ends. After drilling, the baseplate is removed and the new holes are used for final installation.
Yes. The lower plastic rock guard from the front only is temporarily removed and trimmed to fit around the baseplate. After trimming, it is replaced along with the bumper. Refer to the photo in the manual for the exact trimming pattern.
The kit includes: one baseplate weldment (61-5568), four 1/2" nut wire weldments (61-4029), two 1/2" nut plate weldments (61-5159), six 1/2-13 x 1 1/2" Grade 5 hex bolts (201-0051), six 1/2" lock washers (203-0012), four 1/2" flat washers (203-0005), two 4-way connector adapters (101-5822), two #10-32 x 1/2" screws (201-0192), two #10 lock washers (203-0054), two #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), two #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws (201-0979), two 36" Class IV baseplate safety cables (226-0049), and four 1/2" zinc-plated quicklinks (229-0512).
1. Remove four bolts from the belly pan using a 10mm socket and set it aside. 2. Remove four bolts from the back of the bumper using an 18mm socket, disconnect electrical fixtures, and set the bumper aside. 3. Align the baseplate front holes with existing frame holes, use hardware to hold it in position, mark the back holes with a transfer punch, remove the baseplate, and drill 17/32 inch holes on each side. 4. Install the baseplate using the assembly drawing, apply Loctite to all bolts before tightening, and tighten according to the torque chart in the General Instruction sheet. 5. Mark and trim the belly pan to fit, then replace the bumper and belly pan, ensuring all electrical fixtures are reconnected and all bolts are tightened per manufacturer recommendations.
Yes. You must apply Loctite Blue to all bolts before tightening them during baseplate installation. The manual also notes that Loctite Red should be used on all bolts for ongoing maintenance and before each towing trip.
The manual states that all bolts must be tightened according to the torque chart in the General Instruction sheet, which is not included in this installation manual. You will need to obtain the General Instruction sheet from Blue Ox or your dealer for the specific torque values.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended. 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 towed vehicle's frame and must not be mounted against wires, hoses, or brake lines. Two cables are included with the kit (226-0049, 36" Class IV). These cables are in addition to, not a replacement for, legally required safety cables attaching the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle.
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. Hook up all towing equipment per the manufacturer's instructions and recommendations.
The installer must watch 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 against a wire or hose, it could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after installation. Verify that all attachment points on the frame are present and undamaged before final installation.
No. You must use only genuine Blue Ox replacement parts. Do not substitute homemade or nontypical parts. If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade (usually Grade 5; refer to the parts list). Repair parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox dealer or distributor.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pins or clips are lost. Use only Blue Ox replacement parts. Contact your nearest Blue Ox dealer or distributor to order the correct replacement parts.
After baseplate installation is complete, install the tow bar and safety cables according to the instructions included in their respective packaging. These instructions are separate from the baseplate installation manual.
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.
The BX2157 fits 2001–04 Ford Ranger XLT 4.0L V6 4WD and 2001–03 Ford Ranger Edge 2WD/4WD only. Verify your model year, engine, and drivetrain before purchasing.
Yes, the front bumper must be removed. You will need an 18mm socket to remove four bolts from the back of the bumper and must disconnect all electrical fixtures.
Yes. You must drill two holes (one on each side) using a 17/32 inch drill bit. The holes are marked with a transfer punch after temporary alignment.
You need: 10mm socket, 18mm socket, 3/4" wrench, vise grips, transfer punch, 17/32" drill bit, drill, and Loctite Blue.
Yes. Apply Loctite Blue to all bolts before tightening during installation. Use Loctite Red for ongoing maintenance before each towing trip.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended. Two 36" Class IV cables are included. They must be connected from the baseplate to the frame and are in addition to, not a replacement for, legally required safety cables on the towed vehicle.
Inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Tighten all bolts to recommended specifications using Loctite Red.
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