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Blue Ox
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1984 - 1990 Ford Bronco II
Confirmed to Fit
1983 - 1991 Ford Ranger
Confirmed to Fit
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{'feature': 'Custom Design', 'description': 'Tailored specifically for each towed vehicle, ensuring perfect fit and optimal performance.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX2102 Tow Bar Bracket is a robust, custom-designed tow bar base plate that ensures unmatched towing efficiency and security. Constructed with high-grade steel, it exhibits enhanced durability and strength. The black powder coat finish not only gives it an aesthetic appeal but also provides superior resistance against corrosion and wear. Simplify the installation process with the included mounting hardware and clear instructions. This bolt-on mounting type ensures a secure and stable connection of your towed vehicle.
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
2 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 - 1990 | Ford Bronco II | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2 Requires Some Trimming of the Air Dam Specific Dingy Towing Restrictions Apply Confirm the Towability and the Pre: towing Procedures of you Vehicle with the Owner's Manual or Contact the Vehicle's Manufacturer for Specific Towing Procedures |
| 1983 - 1991 | Ford Ranger | 2WD/4WD Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 2 Requires Some Trimming of the Air Dam Specific Dingy Towing Restrictions Apply Confirm the Towability and the Pre: towing Procedures of you Vehicle with the Owner's Manual or Contact the Vehicle's Manufacturer for Specific Towing Procedures |
Yes, the BX2102 baseplate is designed for 1983–1991 Ford Ranger models, including both 2WD and 4WD versions. However, installation steps differ between 2WD and 4WD models. The 2WD installation requires removal of the chassis cross brace, while the 4WD installation does not. Consult the model-specific instructions in the manual to confirm your exact model variant.
Yes, the BX2102 baseplate is designed for 1983–1990 Bronco II models. Installation on the Bronco II differs from Ranger models because the rear mounting holes are partly used by the sway bar bracket. The Bronco II installation requires spacer plates and removal of only the front mounting bolt from the sway bar bracket on each side.
Lift kits raise the ride height of the vehicle, which can affect baseplate installation. The manual notes that 4WD and Bronco II models typically ride about 3½ inches higher than standard units, and lift kits are frequently added. You must ensure the tow bar coupler is level when installed on both the towed and towing vehicles. Extra attention should be paid to ride height variations before installation.
On some 1989+ models, the front bumper bracket on each frame rail hangs down below the rail and must be cut or bent out of the way to clear the baseplate. The manual instructs you to mark the bumper brackets while the baseplate is held in place and cut or bend them where necessary. This is not required on all models; follow the model-specific instructions for your vehicle.
You will need a 3/4 inch socket, a 15 mm socket, and an 18 mm open-end wrench. The 15 mm socket and 18 mm wrench are used to remove the chassis cross brace on Ranger 2WD models. The 3/4 inch socket is used for other fasteners. You will also need a cutting tool to cut the plastic front air dam on all models.
Yes, help is required. The manual explicitly states "With help" when holding the baseplate in position during installation on Ranger 2WD and Bronco II models. A second person is needed to hold the baseplate while you align and install the fasteners.
The hardware kit includes: 4 hex bolts (12 mm–1.75 × 50 mm, Grade 8.8, zinc-plated), 4 hex nuts (12 mm–1.75, zinc-plated), 4 lock washers (12 mm, zinc-plated), 2 spacer plates (for Bronco II only), 2 permanent baseplate safety cables (36 inch, Class III), and 4 quicklinks (3/8 inch, zinc-plated). Spacer plates are used only on Bronco II models.
Yes, cutting the plastic front air dam is required on all models (Ranger 2WD, Ranger 4WD, and Bronco II). You must cut a rectangular hole 1 5/8 inches wide × 1 3/4 inches high, with the top edge located 3/4 inch down from the top of the air dam. This allows the baseplate tabs to protrude through the air dam just below the bumper. Use the baseplate tabs as a guide to mark the hole before cutting.
Yes. On Ranger 2WD models, the 4-bolt mounting pattern is used to attach a chassis cross brace/steering arm shield. You must remove this cross brace completely using a 15 mm socket and 18 mm wrench. Note its position, as it will be reinstalled. The nuts and bolts used to remove it will not be reused; new fasteners from the hardware kit will be used.
Yes, the chassis cross brace is reinstalled. After the baseplate is mounted, the cross brace is placed back up below the baseplate with its holes properly aligned. The baseplate is sandwiched between the cross brace and the chassis. The cross brace should be in the same position as originally, except spaced 1/4 inch lower. New nuts, bolts, and lock washers from the hardware kit are used to secure it.
No, you do not need to remove the entire sway bar bracket. On Bronco II models, the rear mounting holes are used by the sway bar bracket. You only need to remove the front mounting bolt from the sway bar bracket on each side. The baseplate slots are designed to clear the vertical angles on the front end of the sway bar bracket.
The baseplate must be held in position with the tabs facing forward and the angle pieces with holes against the bottom of the chassis rails. The holes must be aligned to the holes in the chassis where the cross brace was mounted (Ranger 2WD) or to the existing 4-bolt pattern (Ranger 4WD and Bronco II). This orientation is the same for all three model variants.
1. Remove the chassis cross brace using a 15 mm socket and 18 mm wrench. 2. Hold the baseplate in position with tabs facing forward and angle pieces against the bottom of the chassis rails, with holes aligned to the chassis holes. 3. Loosely install two nuts and bolts from the hardware kit in the rear-most holes (one on each side) and hand tighten to hold the baseplate tabs against the lower edge of the air dam. 4. Mark the air dam for cutting using the tabs as a guide (rectangular hole 1 5/8" wide × 1 3/4" high, top edge 3/4" down from top of air dam). 5. Remove the baseplate and cut the air dam holes. 6. With help, hold the baseplate in position again. Place the cross brace below the baseplate with holes aligned. Install four nuts, bolts, and lock washers from the hardware kit. The baseplate should be sandwiched between the cross brace and the chassis, spaced 1/4" lower than originally.
1. Hold the baseplate in position with tabs facing forward and angle pieces against the bottom of the chassis rails, with holes aligned to the chassis holes. 2. Loosely install two nuts and bolts from the hardware kit in the rear-most holes (one on each side) and hand tighten to hold the baseplate tabs against the lower edge of the air dam. 3. Mark the air dam for cutting using the tabs as a guide (rectangular hole 1 5/8" wide × 1 3/4" high, top edge 3/4" down from top of air dam). 4. Remove the baseplate and cut the air dam holes. 5. Hold the baseplate in position again. Install four nuts, bolts, and lock washers from the hardware kit. No cross brace removal is required on 4WD models.
1. Remove the front mounting bolt only from the sway bar bracket on each side. 2. Hold the baseplate in position with tabs facing forward and angle pieces against the bottom of the chassis rails, with holes aligned to the chassis holes. 3. Loosely install two bolts from the hardware kit in the rear-most holes (one on each side) and hand tighten to hold the baseplate tabs against the lower edge of the air dam. 4. Mark the air dam for cutting using the tabs as a guide (rectangular hole 1 5/8" wide × 1 3/4" high, top edge 3/4" down from top of air dam). 5. Remove the baseplate and cut the air dam holes. 6. With help, hold the baseplate in position. Place a spacer plate between the chassis and baseplate at each front hole with the long side facing rearward. Install bolts through the front holes of the baseplate, spacer plate, and chassis, securing with lock washers and nuts. Hand start two bolts with lock washers in the rear holes. Tighten all four bolts. The sway bar bracket and spacer plates should be sandwiched between the baseplate and chassis.
The manual notes that dimensional variations between vehicles can be considerable. If a bolt does not fit through a hole, it may be necessary to file the hole slightly to allow the bolt to clear. This is a normal part of the installation process and does not indicate a defect.
After the baseplate is mounted, install the tow bar and safety cables according to the instructions included in their packages. The baseplate installation is complete once the tow bar and safety cables are installed per their own instructions.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with the BX2102 baseplate. The cables 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. Two cables are included in the hardware kit (part number 226-0046, 36 inch, Class III). Do not mount the cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines.
No. Permanent baseplate safety cables are to be used in conjunction with, and NOT as a replacement for, legally required safety cables that attach the towed vehicle to the towing vehicle. Both types of cables must be used when towing.
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 them to the recommended specifications. The baseplate installer should also watch for oil cooler and air conditioner lines, electrical wires and hoses, and missing parts or attaching points on the frame during installation.
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. The installer must watch for oil cooler and air conditioner lines, electrical wires and hoses, and ensure the baseplate does not contact them. Do not mount permanent baseplate safety cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines.
Yes, it is crucial to register your BX2102 baseplate online at www.blueox.com. Registration ensures you are alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Yes, the attachment tabs can be removed when not in use. This is optional and applies only if your baseplate has removable tabs.
Yes, the BX2102 is designed for 1983–1991 Ford Ranger (2WD and 4WD) and 1983–1990 Bronco II. Installation steps differ by model variant.
Yes, you must cut a rectangular hole (1 5/8" wide × 1 3/4" high) in the plastic front air dam on all models. Ranger 2WD models also require removal of the chassis cross brace. Some 1989+ models may require cutting or bending of front bumper brackets.
You will need a 3/4 inch socket, 15 mm socket, 18 mm open-end wrench, and a cutting tool for the air dam. Help from another person is also required.
The kit includes 4 hex bolts (12 mm–1.75 × 50 mm), 4 hex nuts, 4 lock washers, 2 spacer plates (Bronco II only), 2 permanent baseplate safety cables (36 inch), and 4 quicklinks (3/8 inch).
Yes, a second person is required to hold the baseplate in position while you align and install the fasteners.
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 recommended specifications.
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