Our in-house experts typically reply within one business day.
Blue Ox
Verify Fitment
Select your vehicle to confirm this part fits.
1996 - 1998 Pontiac Grand Am
Confirmed to Fit
Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
Free Shipping!
Always the correct part
We know our products
Quality Products
Free Shipping!
High-Quality Material: Made from robust steel, the BX3208 Tow Bar Bracket guarantees long-lasting strength and durability.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX3208 Tow Bar Bracket is a robust and reliable towing solution for your vehicle. Expertly crafted from high-quality steel, this bracket offers the strength and durability needed for the long haul. It features a sleek black powder coat finish that enhances its aesthetic appeal while providing superior resistance against rust and corrosion. Custom designed for each specific towed vehicle, this base plate integrates seamlessly with your vehicle's design. The Blue Ox BX3208 comes with all the necessary hardware and clear, easy-to-follow instructions for a hassle-free, do-it-yourself installation. With this sturdy and stylish tow bar bracket, towing heavy loads has never been easier or safer.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 - 1998 | Pontiac Grand Am | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2 Minor Drilling Required Requires Some Trimming of the Air Dam Requires Some Trimming of the Belly Pan |
Yes, the BX3208 is designed specifically for 1996-1998 Pontiac Grand Am models. However, you must use only a Blue Ox-approved tow bar with this baseplate. Use of any other tow bar will invalidate the limited warranty.
The manual specifies the BX3208 is for 1996-1998 Pontiac Grand Am only. Fitment for other models or years is not covered in this manual. Contact the manufacturer or a Blue Ox dealer to confirm compatibility with other vehicles.
You will need: 3/4" wrench, 19mm wrench, 10mm wrench, 7mm wrench, Phillips screwdriver, 17/32" drill bit, and a drill. You will also need Loctite Blue for all bolts.
The kit includes: 1 weldment baseplate (61-4951), 2 extension braces (102-5279), 2 nut plates (61-3950), 2 spacer tubes (107-2086), 4 hex bolts 1/2"-13 x 1 1/2" Grade 8 (201-0568), 2 lock washers 1/2" (203-0012), 2 hex nuts 1/2" (202-0005), 2 hex bolts 12mm-1.75 x 50mm Grade 8.8 (201-0415), 2 lock washers 12mm (203-0105), and 4 flat washers 5/8" (203-0006).
You must remove: the middle plastic belly pan, the air dam, the headlights, the bumper molding, and the lower plastic moldings. These must be removed so the baseplate can be installed and positioned correctly.
The manual does not specify whether the battery must be disconnected. Since headlights must be removed, consult your vehicle's service manual or a qualified technician for safe electrical disconnection procedures.
Yes, drilling is required. You must drill holes into the front cross frame of the vehicle using a 17/32" drill bit. The baseplate must be centered on the frame before drilling to ensure proper alignment.
Use a 17/32" drill bit to drill holes in the front cross frame of the vehicle.
Yes, both the bumper molding and air dam must be trimmed to fit around the baseplate and extension braces after installation. This trimming is done after the baseplate is bolted to the frame.
1. Remove the middle plastic belly pan and air dam. 2. Remove headlights, bumper molding, and lower plastic moldings. 3. Bolt the two extension braces to the baseplate using 12mm bolts, lock washers, and spacers; hand tighten with Loctite. 4. Hold the baseplate assembly to the front cross frame, mark and drill holes using a 17/32" drill bit, ensuring the baseplate is centered. 5. Bolt the baseplate to the frame using 1/2" bolts, lock washers, and nut plates; use flat washers on 1997 models between frame and baseplate. Tighten all bolts with Loctite. 6. Trim and replace the bumper molding and air dam. 7. Install the tow bar and safety cables per their instructions.
Bolt the two extension braces (Item 2) to the baseplate (Item 1) using the 12mm bolts and 12mm lock washers (Items 8 and 9) with spacer tubes (Item 4). Remove each outside bolt from the two black molded frames on the baseplate, then bolt on the braces in their place. Hand tighten all bolts and apply Loctite Blue to each bolt.
After drilling the holes in the front cross frame, use the 1/2" bolts (Item 6), 1/2" lock washers (Item 7), and 1/2" nut plates (Item 3) to bolt the baseplate to the frame. For 1997 models, place 1/2" flat washers (Item 11) between the frame and baseplate. Apply Loctite Blue to all bolts and tighten them fully.
No. Flat washers (Item 11) are required only for 1997 models. They must be placed between the frame and the baseplate. The manual does not specify whether flat washers are used for 1996 or 1998 models.
The manual does not provide torque specifications. It states that all bolts should be tightened and that Loctite Blue should be used on all bolts. Contact the manufacturer or a Blue Ox dealer for the recommended torque values.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended. They must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame to prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the baseplate connection fails. 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 safety cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines.
Watch carefully for oil cooler and air conditioner lines, electrical wires, and hoses during installation. Do not mount the baseplate or safety cables against these components. Improper installation against wires or hoses could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after installation. Verify that all frame attaching points are present and secure.
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 and that Loctite Red is used on all bolts. Verify that the tow bar and safety cables are installed correctly per their manufacturer's instructions.
The BX3208 comes with a limited warranty. This warranty is valid only when the baseplate is used with a Blue Ox-approved tow bar. Use of any tow bar not approved by Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Company will invalidate the limited warranty.
Yes, you should register your baseplate online at www.blueox.com. Registration is crucial so you can be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and recalls.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. Contact the manufacturer or a Blue Ox dealer to obtain replacement parts.
Yes, the BX3208 is designed for 1996-1998 Pontiac Grand Am. You must use a Blue Ox-approved tow bar; other tow bars will void the warranty.
Yes. You must drill holes in the front cross frame using a 17/32" drill bit. The bumper molding and air dam must also be trimmed to fit around the baseplate.
You need: 3/4", 19mm, 10mm, and 7mm wrenches; Phillips screwdriver; 17/32" drill bit; drill; and Loctite Blue.
Remove the middle plastic belly pan, air dam, headlights, bumper molding, and lower plastic moldings.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended and must be used in conjunction with legally required safety cables. They prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the baseplate connection fails.
Inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all bolts are tightened to specifications and Loctite Red is applied.
On Sale Today
Original price was $699.99. Current price is $639.00.You save $60.99 (9%)
Free Shipping
Ships free on all orders
Authorized Dealer
FREE ShippingFREE SHIPPING
Estimated delivery Sat, Aug 8 - Tue, Aug 11
Order before 2 PM EST Monday–Friday for same-day processing
Guaranteed safe & secure checkout
Total for 0 items:
$0.00
No reviews have been added for this product.
