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2004 Mercury Monterey
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Durable Material: The BX2185 Tow Bar Bracket is made from high-quality steel, ensuring it withstands harsh weather conditions and heavy-duty use.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX2185 Tow Bar Bracket is an essential accessory for any vehicle owner. Crafted from durable steel, this tow bar bracket promises unparalleled strength and resilience. It is designed specifically for each model, ensuring a perfect fit and easy installation. The black powder coat finish not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also provides added protection against rust and corrosion. It boasts a bolt-on mounting type, which means no drilling is required, saving you time and effort during installation. Plus, it comes with all the necessary mounting hardware included, making the installation process a breeze.
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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1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Mercury Monterey | 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 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 |
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, MERCURY MONTEREY E13 (Part #FDRWBX2185) fits the following vehicles: 2004 Mercury Monterey. Always verify your specific year, make, and model before ordering.
Yes, the BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, MERCURY MONTEREY E13 (Part #FDRWBX2185) is designed to fit the 2004 Mercury Monterey.
The BlueOx Tow Bar Base Plate, Front Mount, RV Flat Towing for Select, MERCURY MONTEREY E13 (Part #FDRWBX2185) fits 2004 Mercury Monterey models. The 2004 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, MERCURY MONTEREY E13 (Part #FDRWBX2185) Refer to the included instructions for installation details. Basic hand tools are typically all you need.
Yes, the BX2185 is designed specifically for the 2004 Mercury Monterey. The attachment tabs are 14 1/2" high and 18" wide. If the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 before proceeding.
No. Due to the design of the removable tabs, the RangeFinderII and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used with this baseplate. Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended instead.
Most adapters cannot be used with the BX2185. The only exceptions are the BX8833 and BX88151 adapters, which are compatible.
No, the BX8869 Bulb and Socket Wiring Kit is not included but is recommended for the 2004 Mercury Monterey. It must be ordered separately.
Required tools are: 8mm socket, 10mm socket, 7/16" socket, 9/16" socket, 9/32" drill bit, 13/32" drill bit, Phillips screwdriver, reciprocating saw, and Loctite Red.
The radiator cover, headlight assemblies, fascia, washer reservoir, and horns must be removed for installation. All of these components are reinstalled after the baseplate is secured.
Yes, drilling is required. You will drill three holes into the frame using a 13/32" drill bit on each side of the vehicle, and one hole using a 9/32" drill bit on the passenger's side upper frame webbing.
Yes. Using a reciprocating saw, you must cut the frame rail webbing flush with the bottom of the frame and the back of the metal bumper on both sides of the vehicle.
3/8-16 Grade 5 bolts must be tightened to 33 foot-pounds. All bolts must have Loctite Red applied before tightening.
1/4-20 Grade 5 bolts must be tightened to 10 foot-pounds. All bolts must have Loctite Red applied before tightening.
The kit includes: one baseplate weldment (61-6287), four bolt plates with 14" wire (61-5988), two 3/8" schedule 40 pipes (106-0369 and 106-0368), six 3/8-16 x 2" Grade 5 hex bolts, two 3/8" flat washers, ten 3/8" lock washers, ten 3/8-16 hex nuts, one 1/4-20 x 2 1/2" Grade 5 hex bolt, four 1/4" flat washers, one 1/4" lock washer, one 1/4-20 hex nut, two #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws, two #10-32 hex nuts, two #10 lock washers, two #10-32 hex nuts, two 4-way connector adapters, two right-side attachment assemblies, two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables, two 3/8" quicklinks, and two receiver cap plugs.
The removal sequence is: (1) remove four pushpins from radiator cover on both sides and remove cover; (2) remove five pushpins from grille; (3) remove two plates behind headlight assembly on both sides, disconnect electrical, and remove headlight assemblies; (4) remove one metric bolt from top corner of fascia on both sides using 8mm socket; (5) remove two Phillips screws from edge of fascia in wheel well on both sides; (6) remove nine Phillips screws (two each side, five center underneath) and pull fascia forward; (7) remove one metric bolt from inside fender well on passenger's side using 8mm socket; (8) disconnect washer reservoir tubes and electrical, plug reservoir, remove metric bolt from reservoir bracket using 8mm socket on passenger's side; (9) remove one metric bolt from bottom of passenger's side fender well using 8mm socket; (10) cut frame rail webbing on both sides; (11) disconnect electrical and remove horn bracket bolt using 8mm socket on driver's side, remove horns.
Align the middle holes of the baseplate with the existing holes in the frame. Insert two 3/8-16 bolt plates through the hole on the side of the frame rail and align with the two existing holes in the frame. Install a 3/8" flat washer, 3/8" lock washer, and 3/8-16 hex nut on each bolt plate and tighten. Do this on both sides of the vehicle. Loctite Red must be applied to all bolts before tightening.
Using the baseplate as a template, drill three remaining holes into the frame using a 13/32" drill bit. In the upper two holes, insert 3/8-16 x 2" hex bolts and tighten to 3/8" lock washers and 3/8-16 hex nuts. In the lower hole, insert a 3/8-16 x 2" hex bolt and tighten to the 1/2" pipe, 3/8-16 hex nut, and 1/4-20 x 2 1/2" hex washer. Do this on both sides of the vehicle. Loctite Red must be applied to all bolts before tightening.
On the passenger's side upper frame webbing forward of the baseplate, drill out the front washer reservoir hole with a 9/32" drill bit. Reinstall the washer reservoir bolts. Insert the 1/4-20 x 2 1/2" hex bolt through: 1/4" flat washer, forward washer reservoir hole, 1/4" flat washer, 1 1/2" pipe, 1/4" flat washer, drilled hole, 1/4" flat washer, and tighten to 1/4" lock washer and hex nut. Loctite Red must be applied before tightening.
Attach the permanent baseplate safety cables to the provided convenience link on the baseplate. The manual shows the recommended installation of the cables to the frame of the vehicle. If additional options interfere with suggested mounting, secure the cables to a solid piece of the frame as described in the instructions included with the permanent baseplate safety cables. Ensure the safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. Do this on both sides of the vehicle.
The permanent baseplate safety cables must not mount against wires, hoses, or brake lines. Do not mount against oil cooler, air conditioner lines, electrical wires, or hoses. Ensure the safety cables do not rub against any hoses or moving parts. If the baseplate is improperly installed against a wire or hose, it could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after installation.
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 or becomes disconnected. The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. They 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 each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all electrical connections are plugged in properly and functioning before installing the fascia. Be sure Loctite Red is used on all bolts and they are tightened to the recommended specifications.
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. Permanent baseplate safety cables should remain installed as long as the baseplate is installed on the vehicle. Remove the attachment tabs when not in use.
If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade. In most cases it will be Grade 5. Replacement parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox Dealer or Distributor. Do not substitute homemade or non-typical parts. Failing to use the correct replacement bolt 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 to do fit work. Blue Ox Dealers can be found at www.blueox.com or by contacting the Customer Care Department at (402) 385-3051.
The attachment tab height must be 14 1/2" and the width must be 18". If the front of your vehicle looks different than shown in the manual, call Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 before proceeding.
Towing behind a non-motorized vehicle will void the warranty. The BX2185 is designed for towing motorized vehicles only.
Yes. It is crucial to register your product at www.blueox.com so that you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Yes, the BX2185 is designed for the 2004 Mercury Monterey with 14 1/2" high and 18" wide attachment tabs.
Motorhome mount tow bars are recommended. RangeFinderII and Ambassador tow bars cannot be used. Most adapters are incompatible except BX8833 and BX88151.
Required tools: 8mm, 10mm, 7/16", and 9/16" sockets; 9/32" and 13/32" drill bits; Phillips screwdriver; reciprocating saw; and Loctite Red.
Yes. Drilling is required using 13/32" and 9/32" drill bits. Frame rail webbing must also be cut with a reciprocating saw.
Radiator cover, headlight assemblies, fascia, washer reservoir, and horns must be removed. All are reinstalled after baseplate installation.
3/8-16 Grade 5 bolts: 33 ft-lbs. 1/4-20 Grade 5 bolts: 10 ft-lbs. All bolts require Loctite Red before tightening. Refer to the torque chart on page 1 for other bolt sizes.
Inspect for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Verify all electrical connections are plugged in and functioning before reinstalling the fascia.
The manual states that dimensional variations between otherwise identical vehicles can be considerable. Minor adjustments may be necessary to compensate for auto manufacturer tolerances. These adjustments may include filing a hole slightly, bending electrical rods, or bending end plates. If alignment issues persist, contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051.
Do not proceed with installation. Reposition the baseplate or safety cables to avoid contact with oil cooler lines, air conditioner lines, electrical 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. Contact Blue Ox at (402) 385-3051 if you cannot resolve the issue.
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