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Blue Ox
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2013 - 2016 Lincoln MKZ
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Custom Designed: Each Blue Ox BX2653 Tow Bar Bracket is specifically designed for individual towed vehicles, ensuring a perfect fit and improved towing performance.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Upgrade your towing setup with the Blue Ox BX2653 Tow Bar Bracket. Custom designed for each specific towed vehicle, this bracket is made from robust steel, ensuring strength and durability. Its black powder coat finish not only gives it a sleek look, but also enhances its resistance to rust and corrosion. The bracket is easy to install with a bolt-on mounting type, and the package comes with all necessary hardware and instructions. The Blue Ox BX2653 Tow Bar Bracket is an essential addition to your vehicle for safe and reliable towing.
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.
Experts available to answer your questions
Call 888-634-94943 Years
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 - 2016 | Lincoln MKZ | Comes with Removable 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 Baseplate Has Non 24 in. Spaced Attachment Tabs Requires Motorhome Mounted Tow Bar/Adapter To Utilize Car Mounted Tow Bar Tow Bar Adapters Not To Be Used On Vehicles Over 5000 lbs. |
Yes, the BX2653 is designed for 2013-16 Lincoln MKZ models including Hybrid versions with EcoBoost and Adaptive Cruise. However, if the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 before proceeding with installation.
The attachment tab height is 12-1/2" and the attachment tab width is 15".
The BX2653 is designed for vehicles with Adaptive Cruise Control. However, during installation you must ensure that nothing is installed in front of the ACC sensor, as obstructions will cause false readings from the sensor. Take care when trimming the fascia around the convenience links and attachment tabs to avoid blocking the sensor.
Required tools include: T25 and T30 Torx, 7MM, 8MM, 10MM, 13MM, 9/16", and 3/4" sockets; 9/16" and 3/4" wrenches; large vise grip; flat and Phillips screwdrivers; utility knife; hammer; torque wrench; drill with 3/8" and 1/2" drill bits; reciprocating saw; tape measure; and Loctite Red. A 1-1/4" hole saw is also needed for access holes.
Yes. The fascia and headlights must be removed and reinstalled during baseplate installation. The fascia is removed by taking out four T25 Torx screws from the top edge, two push pins and two T25 Torx screws from the headlight assembly, four 7MM socket screws and one Phillips screw from the wheel well on each side, and eight 7MM socket screws from the underside. All electrical connections must be disconnected before pulling the fascia away.
Yes, drilling is required. You must drill a 1-1/4" access hole on each side (passenger and driver) for nut plate access, ream out existing holes with a 1/2" drill bit, and drill the front baseplate holes through the frame with a 3/8" drill bit. Trimming is also required: the washer fluid reservoir outer flange must be trimmed back approximately 2-1/4", radiator shrouding must be trimmed on both sides, and the outer edge of the extension flange must be trimmed flush with the weld using a reciprocating saw on both sides.
The trimming of the washer fluid reservoir, radiator shrouding, and extension flange are permanent modifications. The drilling of access holes and frame holes is also permanent. These modifications cannot be reversed without significant vehicle repair. After cutting frame edges, you must use good quality paint to spray the cut edges to prevent rusting.
Yes. The skid plate must be removed before baseplate installation. Remove eight 7MM socket screws (three in front of each tire and one on either side just inwards from the outer screws) and two T30 Torx screws in the middle. Set the skid plate aside; it will be reinstalled after the baseplate is installed.
After installing the rear baseplate bolts and the bottom 1/2"-13 x 4" bolts with shims on both sides, level the baseplate and then tighten down all hardware. The manual specifies using four to five 1/2" washers as shims between the baseplate and extension on each side to achieve proper leveling.
For Grade 5 bolts: 1/4" = 10 ft-lbs, 5/16" = 19 ft-lbs, 3/8" = 33 ft-lbs, 7/16" = 54 ft-lbs, 1/2" = 78 ft-lbs, 5/8" = 154 ft-lbs, 3/4" = 257 ft-lbs. For Grade 8 bolts: 1/4" = 14 ft-lbs, 5/16" = 29 ft-lbs, 3/8" = 47 ft-lbs, 7/16" = 78 ft-lbs, 1/2" = 119 ft-lbs, 5/8" = 230 ft-lbs, 3/4" = 380 ft-lbs.
For Grade 8.8 metric bolts: 6MM = 6 ft-lbs, 8MM = 16 ft-lbs, 10MM = 31 ft-lbs, 12MM = 54 ft-lbs, 14MM = 89 ft-lbs, 16MM = 161 ft-lbs, 18MM = 222 ft-lbs. For Grade 10.9 metric bolts: 6MM = 8 ft-lbs, 8MM = 22 ft-lbs, 10MM = 40 ft-lbs, 12MM = 70 ft-lbs, 14MM = 117 ft-lbs, 16MM = 230 ft-lbs, 18MM = 318 ft-lbs.
The kit includes: four 3/8"-16 nut plates with 14" wire, two attachment tab assemblies, one breakaway bracket, one 1/4"-20 x 3/4" Grade 5 hex head bolt, two #10-32 1/2" round slotted head screws, four 3/8"-16 x 1-1/4" Grade 5 hex head bolts, two 1/2"-13 x 4" Grade 5 hex head bolts, one #10-16 x 1-1/2" self-drilling screw, two #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws, two 1/2"-13 hex nuts, two #10-32 hex nuts, one 1/4"-20 hex nylon nut, fourteen 1/2" flat washers, four 3/8" lock washers, two 1/2" lock washers, two #10 lock washers, one 4-way bracket, two Class III safety cables, two 3/8" quicklinks, and two black cap plug receivers.
Using the existing holes in the frame, pin the rear baseplate holes to the frame with 3/8"-16 x 1-1/4" bolts and 3/8" lock washers. Then install a 3/8" nut plate onto the rear bolt on the inside of the frame on both sides and fully tighten both bolts. Next, drill the front hole of the baseplate through the frame with a 3/8" drill bit on both sides, and install 3/8"-16 x 1-1/4" bolts with 3/8" lock washers into the holes and 3/8"-16 nut plates on the inside of the frame, then fully tighten both bolts.
Install a 1/2"-13 x 4" bolt with a 1/2" flat washer into the bottom hole on each side. Use four to five 1/2" washers as shims between the baseplate and extension. Install a 1/2" flat washer, 1/2" lock washer, and 1/2" hex nut onto the bolt on the top side of the extension. Do this on both sides of the vehicle, then level the baseplate and tighten down all hardware.
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. Exceeding this weight will void the manufacturer's warranty. You must reference your vehicle owner's manual for the manufacturer's towing specifications and ensure you do not exceed the GVWR.
Attach the permanent baseplate safety cables to the provided convenience link on the baseplate. The cables should be secured to a solid piece of the frame. Ensure the safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Do this on both sides of the vehicle. Do not mount the cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame.
Hold the fascia as close to its original position as possible, mark and trim the fascia around the convenience links and attachment tabs. Important: ensure that nothing is installed in front of the ACC sensor, as obstructions will cause false readings. Reinstall the fascia by reversing the removal steps. Be sure all electrical connections are plugged in and accessories are functioning properly before fully reinstalling the fascia.
Yes. Be sure to use a sufficient amount of Loctite Red on all bolt threads before tightening. Tighten all bolts according to the torque chart provided. This is required for proper installation and warranty coverage.
No. Use only genuine factory replacement parts on your baseplate. Do not substitute homemade or non-typical parts. If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade (in most cases Grade 5). Replacement parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox Dealer or Distributor. Failing to follow this requirement will void the manufacturer's warranty.
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.
Blue Ox offers a three-year limited warranty from the date of delivery to the original retail purchaser. The warranty covers defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service. Warranty coverage is valid only if the customer warranty card is returned within 30 days of purchase and a copy of the original invoice accompanies any claim. The warranty does not cover incorrect or improper installation, improper use, modification, neglect, misuse, normal wear and tear, paint or rust. The baseplate must be registered at www.blueox.com to receive product updates, maintenance bulletins, and recall notices.
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. Register your product at www.blueox.com to be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and recalls. Remove the attachment tabs when not in use if applicable.
If the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 before proceeding. Additionally, 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.
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 the fascia, headlights, and skid plate.
Handling of some cosmetic parts when installing this product may require the use of protective covers, rags, specialty tools, etc. to prevent damage. When using power drills be aware of the dangers of torque and drill bit length. When using a reciprocating saw be aware of objects behind the cutting surface.
Use a good quality paint to spray cut edges of frame to prevent rusting. This is important for protecting the frame from corrosion after the trimming operations required for baseplate installation.
Yes. Baseplates manufactured after 6/14/16 will have longer convenience links for easier safety cable hook up. Check your baseplate's manufacturing date to determine if you have the updated version.
Yes, the BX2653 is designed for 2013-16 Lincoln MKZ models including Hybrid versions with EcoBoost and Adaptive Cruise. Verify your vehicle's front end matches the manual before installation.
You need: T25/T30 Torx, 7MM/8MM/10MM/13MM/9/16"/3/4" sockets and wrenches, drill with 3/8" and 1/2" bits, 1-1/4" hole saw, reciprocating saw, torque wrench, utility knife, hammer, vise grip, screwdrivers, tape measure, and Loctite Red.
Yes. You must drill a 1-1/4" access hole on each side, ream existing holes with a 1/2" bit, and drill the front baseplate holes with a 3/8" bit. Trimming the washer fluid reservoir, radiator shrouding, and extension flange is also required.
Yes. The fascia and headlights must be removed and reinstalled. This requires removing multiple T25 Torx screws, push pins, and socket screws from the top, wheel wells, and underside.
Tighten 3/8" Grade 5 bolts to 33 foot-pounds. Always use Loctite Red on 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.
The baseplate must be replaced if involved in an accident. Do not reuse it, as unseen damage could cause failure or serious injury.
No, if installed correctly. Ensure nothing is installed in front of the ACC sensor during fascia trimming, as obstructions cause false readings.
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. If you encounter fitment issues, contact Blue Ox Technical Service at (402) 385-3051 for assistance.
Obstructions in front of the ACC sensor cause false readings. During fascia reinstallation, ensure that nothing is installed in front of the ACC sensor. Trim the fascia carefully around the convenience links and attachment tabs to keep the sensor clear.
If the baseplate is improperly installed and is against a wire, hose, or brake line, it could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after installation. During installation, watch for oil cooler and air conditioner lines, electrical wires and hoses, and ensure safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Verify proper routing and clearance of all components before completing installation.
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