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Blue Ox
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2003 - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
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Custom Designed For Your Vehicle
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Blue Ox base plates are custom designed for each specific towed vehicle. When you purchase a Blue Ox base plate, it includes all the necessary hardware and instructions for a do-it-yourself installation.
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
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 - 2005 | Pontiac Sunfire | 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 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 |
Yes, the BX3225 is designed specifically for the 2003-04 Pontiac Sunfire Coupe. The attachment tabs are 24 inches center to center with a height of 14 inches. Installation requires removal of the headlight assembly, blinker assembly, front fascia, horn bracket, windshield washer reservoir and lower grill inserts.
The BX8869 is available for the 2003-04 Pontiac Sunfire Coupe. The manual shows its location on the driver's side tail light assembly but does not specify whether it is included with the BX3225 or sold separately, or what its function is. Contact your Blue Ox dealer for details.
You will need: 7MM socket, 10MM socket, 13MM socket, 9/16" socket, 13/32" drill bit, Phillips screwdriver, vise grips, and Loctite. These are listed in the Tools Required section of the manual.
The BX3225 includes: one baseplate weldment (61-5865), ten 3/8" nut plates with wire (61-5208), ten 3/8-16 x 1.5" Grade 5 bolts (201-0440), ten 3/8" lock washers (203-0010), two #12-14 x 1" self-drilling screws (201-0979), two #10-32 hex nuts (202-0047), two #10 lock washers (203-0054), two #10-32 x 0.5" slot round head screws (201-0192), two 4-way connector adapters (101-5822), two attachment assemblies (62-3469), two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables (226-0046), two 3/8" zinc-plated quicklinks (229-0359), and two receiver cap plugs (290-0437).
The following components must be removed: headlight assembly (both sides), blinker assembly (both sides), front fascia, horn bracket, windshield washer reservoir, and lower grill inserts. The lower grill inserts will NOT be reinstalled. All electrical connectors and hoses must be unplugged and set aside during removal.
Follow this sequence: (1) Remove seven push pins from the top of the fascia's black plastic cover. (2) Remove the metric bolt from the blinker assembly brace using a 10MM socket, one Phillips screw, unplug electrical and set aside (both sides). (3) Remove two metric bolts from the headlight assembly with a 10MM socket, pull forward, unplug electrical and set aside (both sides). (4) Remove one push pin from the back side of fog lights (both sides). (5) Just forward of the front tire on the wheel well plastic, remove one push pin and two metric bolts with a 7MM socket (both sides). (6) Using a 7MM socket, remove three metric bolts from the passenger's side and two bolts from the driver's side. (7) Remove three metric bolts just forward of the front tire on the bottom side of the fascia (both sides). (8) On the lower black plastic just forward of the front tire, remove two metric bolts on the passenger's side and one on the driver's side using a 7MM socket. (9) Remove one metric bolt from the fascia corner inside the fender well using a 10MM socket (both sides). (10) Just behind the headlight assembly, remove two metric bolts using a 10MM socket (both sides).
Remove two Christmas tree clips on the lower grill just under the metal bumper and set the lower grill insert aside. Note that the lower grill insert will NOT be reinstalled. For the horn bracket, use a 13MM socket to remove the metric bolt and set it aside.
Remove three metric bolts from the windshield washer reservoir on the driver's side. Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the screw from the tubing on the reservoir and set it aside.
Yes, drilling is required. You will drill holes using a 13/32" drill bit. First, align the baseplate's upper hole on the bottom center of the metal bumper, clamp in place with vise grips, and drill the upper hole (both sides). Then, using the baseplate as a template, drill all remaining holes on the end plates (both sides).
Use a 13/32" drill bit to drill all holes in the baseplate installation.
The manual states that dimensional variations between otherwise identical cars can be considerable. While the location and size of the holes in the baseplate were designed to allow for easy installation, it may be necessary to file a hole slightly to allow a bolt to clear.
On the bottom center of the metal bumper, align the baseplate's upper hole and clamp in place with vise grips. Using the baseplate as a template, drill the upper hole with a 13/32" drill bit (both sides). Insert the nut plates (item 2) into the opening on the end of the metal bumper to align with the drilled hole and tighten the bolts (items 3 and 4) according to the drawing on the last page (both sides). Apply Loctite to all bolts before tightening. Then, using the baseplate as a template, drill all remaining holes on the end plates with a 13/32" drill bit (both sides). Insert the nut plates into the opening on the bottom frame to align with the drilled hole and tighten the bolts according to the drawing (both sides). Apply Loctite to all bolts before tightening and torque all bolts according to the torque chart in General Instructions.
The manual references a torque chart in the General Instructions and a drawing on the last page, but the specific torque values are not provided in the installation instructions. Contact your Blue Ox dealer or refer to the complete General Instructions documentation for the correct torque specifications.
If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade. The bolts included with the BX3225 are Grade 5. Always use genuine factory replacement parts and ensure the replacement bolt is the same grade for safety and preservation of the baseplate.
After installing the baseplate, reinstall the horn bracket, windshield washer reservoir, fascia and headlight assemblies. Be sure all electrical components and hoses are plugged in properly. Then install the tow bar and safety cables according to the instructions included in their packages.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. Their principal function is to prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose in the event the connection between the frame of the towed vehicle and the 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. Each permanent baseplate safety cable must have an adequate weight rating for the towing system. The weight rating of the two cables together will not qualify as a single cable. These cables should remain installed as long as the baseplate is installed on the vehicle.
The permanent baseplate safety cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame. Do not mount the cables against wires, hoses or brake lines. The manual shows possible recommended arrangements in illustrations on page 5.
No. Permanent baseplate safety cables are to be used in conjunction with, and NOT a replacement for, legally required safety cables attaching the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle.
It is your responsibility to watch for oil cooler and air conditioner lines, electrical wires and hoses, and missing parts or attaching points on the frame. If the baseplate is improperly installed and is against a wire or hose, it could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after the actual baseplate installation.
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.
Yes, the manual recommends removing the attachment tabs when not in use (if applicable).
Yes, it is crucial to register your BX3225 baseplate online at www.blueox.com. Registration ensures you will be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. Obtain replacement parts from your Blue Ox dealer.
Loctite is a threadlocker compound that must be applied to all bolts before tightening during BX3225 installation. It prevents bolts from loosening due to vibration during towing. The manual specifies using Loctite Red and recommends retightening bolts to the recommended specifications before each towing trip.
The BX3225 is designed for 2003-04 Pontiac Sunfire Coupe models only. Attachment tabs are 24 inches center to center, 14 inches in height.
Yes. You will drill holes using a 13/32" drill bit on the bumper and frame. Dimensional variations may require filing holes slightly to allow bolts to clear.
You will need 7MM, 10MM, 13MM and 9/16" sockets, a 13/32" drill bit, Phillips screwdriver, vise grips, and Loctite.
Remove headlight assemblies, blinker assemblies, front fascia, horn bracket, windshield washer reservoir, and lower grill inserts (which will not be reinstalled). All electrical connectors must be unplugged.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing. They prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the baseplate connection fails. They must be connected to the frame rail or cross member and are not a replacement for legally required safety cables.
Before each towing trip, inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts and loose bolts. Use Loctite Red on all bolts and tighten to recommended specifications. Register your baseplate at www.blueox.com for safety bulletins and recalls.
The manual states that dimensional variations between otherwise identical cars can be considerable. If a bolt will not clear a hole, it may be necessary to file the hole slightly to allow the bolt to pass through. Use a file to carefully enlarge the hole as needed.
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