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Blue Ox
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Authorized Dealer1994 - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina APV
Confirmed to Fit
1995 - 1996 Chevrolet Lumina Van
Confirmed to Fit
1994 - 1996 Pontiac Trans Sport
Confirmed to Fit
Always the correct part
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Custom Designed: Blue Ox BX1618 Tow Bar Bracket is custom-fitted for each specific towed vehicle, ensuring a seamless fit and superior performance.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Blue Ox BX1618 is a superior quality Tow Bar Bracket designed to offer unmatched strength and durability. This exceptional product is custom designed for each specific towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit every time. It's made from high-grade steel and finished with a black powder coat to resist rust and corrosion, rendering it perfect for regular usage and challenging conditions. The bolt-on mounting type ensures a secure fit while the included mounting hardware aids in an effortless do-it-yourself installation. With Blue Ox BX1618, you can expect high performance, safety, and longevity.
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
3 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1994 - 1996 | Chevrolet Lumina APV | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 4 Minor Drilling Required Fog Lights Must be Removed and Remain Off the Vehicle After Installation |
| 1995 - 1996 | Chevrolet Lumina Van | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 4 Minor Drilling Required Fog Lights Must be Removed and Remain Off the Vehicle After Installation |
| 1994 - 1996 | Pontiac Trans Sport | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 4 Minor Drilling Required Fog Lights Must be Removed and Remain Off the Vehicle After Installation |
Yes, the BX1618 is designed specifically for 1994–1996 Chevrolet Lumina Vans and 1994–1996 Pontiac Trans Sports. However, the installation procedure differs slightly between the two vehicles, particularly regarding the number and location of plastic belly pans and bumper fasteners. The Pontiac has a center belly pan plus two smaller outside pans, while the Chevrolet has only a center pan. Bumper fastener counts also differ between models.
The BX1618 is a tow baseplate manufactured by Automatic Equipment Mfg. Co. (Blue Ox) for 1994–1996 Chevrolet Lumina Vans and Pontiac Trans Sports. It mounts to the vehicle's bumper mounts and front frame to provide attachment points for a tow bar and safety cables. The baseplate is a welded metal assembly that requires professional installation, including removal of the front bumper, drilling of frame holes, and trimming of plastic components.
The front bumper and all plastic belly pans must be completely removed. On Chevrolet Lumina Vans, remove the single center belly pan. On Pontiac Trans Sports, remove the center pan and two smaller outside pans. Additionally, the two front headlights must be removed by taking off the black plastic hand screws on top of each headlight, lifting it out, and disconnecting the three electrical wires. The splash guards must also be removed.
Required tools include: 3/4" wrench and socket, 10mm, 11mm, 7mm, 13mm, and 9/16" sockets and wrenches, Phillips and flat screwdrivers, pliers, utility knife, drill with 17/32" bit, 17/32" transfer punch, center punch, and Loctite Blue. An assistant is also required to position the baseplate during installation.
The kit includes: one baseplate weldment (61-4462), two lock down plate weldments (61-3599), two lock down plate flats (102-3115), two mounting plate flats (102-4649), four 1/2-13 x 1 3/4" hex bolts grade 5 (201-0068), four 1/2-13 hex nuts (202-0005), four 1/2 lock washers (203-0012), four 3/8-16 x 1" hex bolts grade 5 (201-0443), four 3/8-16 hex whiz nuts (202-0071), six 5/16" flat washers (203-0002), and one 1/2" flat washer (203-0005). Eight bolts total are required to mount the baseplate.
Yes, drilling is required. Two holes must be drilled in the vehicle's frame at the front of the outside supports. The baseplate may be used as a template, provided the lock down plate is lined up with the hole or rotated out of the way to avoid damage. Alternatively, mark the hole with a 17/32" transfer punch, remove the baseplate, center punch, drill with a 17/32" bit, and replace the baseplate. After drilling, insert two 1/2 x 1 3/4" bolts through the frame and baseplate, and secure with lock washers and nuts.
The plastic bumper must be trimmed to fit over the baseplate attachment tabs. On both Chevrolet and Pontiac vehicles, the long horizontal opening is too short and must be extended. On Pontiac Trans Sports, make 2" horizontal cuts on the top and bottom of each opening end. On Chevrolet Lumina Vans, the center opening and shorter end openings are separated by V-shaped plastic pieces; make horizontal cuts on these pieces on the top and bottom from the end of the center opening to the point of the V.
Yes, on Pontiac Trans Sports only, the two outside belly pans must be trimmed. Hold each pan up to the baseplate and mark where two holes for bolts will need to be and where the outside support will be. After trimming sufficiently, slide the front slot over the bottom of the bumper and replace the screw at the back that goes into the splash guard.
The baseplate mounts to the vehicle at two locations: the bumper mounts and the front of the vehicle frame under the body mounts. It requires eight bolts total. The mounting sequence involves: (1) installing mounting plate flats over the bumper mounting plates with 5/16" flat washers and hand-starting six nuts; (2) positioning the lock down plate weldment on the baseplate outside supports and inserting 1/2 x 1 3/4" bolts through the disc holes and back holes on the outside supports with lock washers and nuts; (3) inserting 3/8 x 1" hex bolts through the mounting plates and slots in the vertical supports with whiz nuts; (4) drilling two additional frame holes and inserting two more 1/2 x 1 3/4" bolts with lock washers and nuts. All fasteners must be hand-started before final tightening, and Loctite Blue must be applied to all bolt threads.
The lock down plate weldment is used to secure the baseplate to the vehicle's frame tubes. A 1/2 x 1 3/4" bolt is placed in the center hole of the lock down plate and inserted through the large access hole (approximately 3" in diameter) at the bottom end of the frame tubes. The lock down plate rests inside the tube with the bolt suspended in the center of the hole. The disc on the lock down plate is positioned over the rear hole on the outside support, and the bolt passes through the disc holes and back holes on the outside supports, securing the baseplate with a lock washer and nut on each side.
An assistant is required to help position the baseplate on the vehicle during installation. The baseplate must be held in position while the front vertical supports are aligned behind the mounting plates, the lock down plate bolts are inserted through the disc holes and back holes on the outside supports, and the mounting plate bolts are inserted through the slots in the vertical supports. The baseplate is a large, heavy welded assembly that cannot be safely positioned and aligned by one person alone.
The baseplate uses four 1/2-13 x 1 3/4" hex bolts grade 5 (part 201-0068) and four 3/8-16 x 1" hex bolts grade 5 (part 201-0443). Two additional 1/2 x 1 3/4" bolts are drilled in during installation. All bolts require Loctite Blue applied to the threads before installation. The manual specifies hand-starting all nuts and then tightening them, but does not provide specific torque values in foot-pounds.
The bumper mounting plates are secured using six 1/2-13 hex nuts (part 202-0005) with 5/16" flat washers (part 203-0002) placed on each of the three bolts on the mounting plate. The mounting plate flats (part 102-4649) are positioned over the two bumper mounting plates so that the two extra holes point toward the inside of the vehicle. Loctite Blue must be applied to the threads before hand-starting the six nuts.
The lock down plate is secured using two 1/2-13 x 1 3/4" hex bolts (part 201-0068) with 1/2 lock washers (part 203-0012) and 1/2-13 hex nuts (part 202-0005). A 1/2" flat washer (part 203-0005) is included on the passenger side over the slot. Loctite Blue must be applied to the bolt threads before hand-starting the nuts.
Two 3/8-16 x 1" hex bolts grade 5 (part 201-0443) are inserted through the two holes in the mounting plates and through the slots in the vertical supports. These are secured with 3/8-16 hex whiz nuts (part 202-0071). Loctite Blue must be applied to the bolt threads before hand-starting the nuts.
Raise the hood and remove the two front headlights by removing the two black plastic hand screws on the top of each headlight, lifting it out, and unhooking the three electrical wires from behind. The headlights must be removed to access the front bumper fasteners.
The center belly pan is removed by using a 7mm socket to remove five small bolts behind the vertical air dam. On each end of the pan, there is a thin piece of rubber that runs from the bumper down through slots cut in the pan. The rubber is notched on the end; bend it back and push it up through the slot. Insert a 7mm socket on a long extension through the opening in the lower center of the bumper and loosen the bolt on the vertical support in front of the radiator. When this bolt is sufficiently loosened, the center belly pan should slide down.
On Pontiac Trans Sports, the center belly pan is removed similarly to the Chevrolet, but with additional steps for the plastic inserts. Remove the five small bolts behind the vertical air dam using a 7mm socket. Bend back the thin rubber straps on each end and push them up through the slots. On the Pontiac, there are two plastic inserts on each outside belly pan that run through slots on the center pan. With a screwdriver, squeeze each insert together and push it up through the slot on the center pan. Insert a 7mm socket on a long extension through the opening in the lower center of the bumper and loosen the bolt on the vertical support in front of the radiator. When sufficiently loosened, the center belly pan should slide down.
The two outside belly pans on a Pontiac Trans Sport are removed by removing a small bolt on the back of each belly pan that attaches it to the splash guards underneath each fender.
On the ends of the bumper, there are two nuts that attach the side panel of the van to the bumper. These nuts must be removed with an 11mm socket and a long extension. To remove the rear nut, you may need to insert the socket from behind after pushing the splash guard inward. These bolts have internal tooth washers that must be removed with a long flat screwdriver and a pair of pliers.
After removing all fasteners (headlights, plastic panel fasteners, belly pans, splash guard screws, side panel nuts, and bottom end bolts), the plastic bumper can be removed by first pulling the ends down to clear the bolts in the side panels and then sliding the bumper forward. A 10mm socket is used to remove the long bolt on the outside bottom ends of the bumper that attaches it to the frame with a thin bent rod.
After removing the plastic bumper, remove the three panel fasteners that attach the styrofoam piece to the fiberglass bumper using a flat screwdriver and pliers. Then, using a deep 13mm socket, remove the eight nuts that attach the fiberglass bumper mount to the vehicle. Set the bumper aside and remove the black mounting plates that contain the four bolts that attached the bumper. Use the 13mm socket to remove the three nuts on the backside of each plate.
After the baseplate is fully installed and the fiberglass bumper is reattached, the plastic bumper can be put back on. The openings will probably have to be held apart to fit over the tabs. Once over the tabs, slide the bumper up solid against the styrofoam and over the two bolts in the back. Replace the upper panel fasteners, the four nuts, the long bolts in the back, and the four short Phillips screws.
The center belly pan can be reinstalled by replacing the five bolts, reinserting the rubber strap and the plastic inserts from the outside pans, and tightening the bolt on the vertical support in front of the radiator. The bottom panel fasteners can then be replaced through the bumper into the pan.
After the bumper and belly pans are reinstalled, reattach the electrical wires to the headlights and secure them to the vehicle.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. Contact the manufacturer or your installer for replacement parts.
The BX1618 installation package includes the baseplate weldment, lock down plate weldments, mounting plate flats, all required bolts, nuts, washers, and fasteners as listed in the Parts List. The package also includes a General Instruction Sheet (referenced in Step 1) that must be provided to the user. The tow bar and safety cables are ordered separately and come with their own instruction packages.
Loctite Blue is a threadlocker compound that must be applied to the threads of all bolts before installation. It prevents bolts from loosening due to vibration during vehicle operation. The manual specifies applying Loctite to the threads of the 1/2 x 1 3/4" bolts, the 3/8 x 1" bolts, and the mounting plate bolts before hand-starting the nuts.
Hand-starting a nut means turning the nut onto the bolt by hand without using a wrench or socket, until it is snug but not fully tightened. This is done for all nuts before final tightening with tools. Hand-starting allows for proper alignment of the baseplate and prevents cross-threading of fasteners.
The BX1618 is designed for 1994–1996 Chevrolet Lumina Vans and 1994–1996 Pontiac Trans Sports only. Installation procedures differ slightly between the two models.
Yes. Two holes must be drilled in the vehicle's frame using a 17/32" drill bit. The baseplate can be used as a template, or you can mark the holes with a transfer punch, remove the baseplate, and drill. The plastic bumper must also be trimmed to fit over the attachment tabs.
You will need: sockets (3/4", 7mm, 9/16", 10mm, 11mm, 13mm), wrenches (3/4", 9/16"), screwdrivers (Phillips and flat), pliers, drill with 17/32" bit, transfer punch, center punch, utility knife, and Loctite Blue. An assistant is required to position the baseplate.
The front bumper (both plastic and fiberglass), headlights, and all plastic belly pans must be completely removed. On Pontiac Trans Sports, this includes two smaller outside pans in addition to the center pan. Splash guards must also be removed.
Eight bolts total are required: four 1/2-13 x 1 3/4" hex bolts (grade 5), four 3/8-16 x 1" hex bolts (grade 5), and two additional 1/2 x 1 3/4" bolts drilled in during installation. All bolts require Loctite Blue on the threads.
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