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Blue Ox
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2003 - 2004 Saturn Ion
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Custom-Designed Fit: Each Blue Ox BX3319 Tow Bar Bracket is uniquely designed for each specific towed vehicle, ensuring a secure and perfect fit.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX3319 Tow Bar Bracket, skillfully designed for your specific towed vehicle, is a reliable and durable solution for your towing needs. Crafted from robust steel, this black, powder-coated bracket ensures lasting resilience against the elements. The bracket is custom-made for a perfect fit and comes with everything you need for a straightforward, do-it-yourself installation. Its bolt-on mounting type provides secure attachment, promising a smooth and safe towing experience.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 - 2004 | Saturn Ion | Comes with Removable Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install 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 |
The BX3319 is designed for 2003-04 Saturn Ion models with a 4-cylinder manual transmission only. It will not fit automatic transmission models or other Saturn Ion years. Confirm your vehicle's model year, engine size and transmission type before purchasing.
The BX3319 is a baseplate (part number 61-5873) designed to attach a tow bar to a 2003-04 Saturn Ion with a 4-cylinder manual transmission. It bolts to the vehicle's frame and provides the connection point for towing equipment. The attachment tabs are 24 inches center to center with a height of 13½ inches.
Required tools are: 7MM socket, 9/16" socket, 10MM socket, 13MM socket, 13/32" drill bit, scribe, hack saw, and vise grip. You will also need Loctite (applied to all bolts before tightening).
Yes. The front fascia and metal bumper must be removed for baseplate installation. The fascia is held by four metric bolts on top (removed with 7MM socket), two push pins and one metric bolt inside each wheel well (7MM socket), and four push pins just forward of each front tire. The metal bumper is held by six metric bolts (13MM socket).
Yes, drilling is required. You will drill three top holes on each side of the baseplate using a 13/32" drill bit. The baseplate is used as a template to mark the hole locations. Additionally, horizontal and vertical cuts must be made to the frame on both sides to open the area for baseplate installation.
Using the bottom edge of the metal bumper as a guide, mark the front of the bumper bracket on the inside of each frame end with a scribe. Make a horizontal cut to the frame on the bumper bracket's scribe mark and a vertical cut on the frame edge to open the area for baseplate installation, both sides. Minor trimming of the fascia upper rib may also be needed.
1. Remove fascia and bumper as described. 2. Mark and cut the frame opening. 3. Slide baseplate ends to the inside of frame rails, slide up and forward as far as possible, and clamp to frame. 4. Using the baseplate as a template, drill three top holes on each side with a 13/32" drill bit. 5. Insert the nut plate (item 2) into the opening on the bottom of the frame to align with drilled holes. 6. Install and tighten bolts (items 3 and 4) with Loctite, torqued to specifications. 7. Trim fascia as needed and reinstall bumper and fascia. 8. Install tow bar and safety cables per their instructions.
The manual states that all bolts must be torqued according to the Torque Chart in the General Instructions sheet, which is not included in this document. Contact Blue Ox or your installer for the specific torque values. Loctite must be applied to all bolts before tightening.
The baseplate kit includes: 1 baseplate weldment (61-5873), 8 nut plates (61-5208), 8 bolts 3/8-16 x 1½ Grade 5 (201-0440), 8 lock washers 3/8 (203-0010), 2 self-drilling screws #12-14 x 1" (201-0979), 2 slot round head screws #10-32 x ½" (201-0192), 2 lock washers #10 (203-0054), 2 hex nuts #10-32 (202-0047), 2 adapters 4-way connector (101-5822), 2 attachment assemblies SF/LB (62-3469), 2 self-drilling screws #10-16 x 1" (201-0654), 2 baseplate safety cables 36" (226-0046), 2 quicklinks 3/8" (229-0359), and 2 receiver cap plugs (290-0437).
The BX8869 is available for the 2003-04 Saturn Ion but the manual does not specify whether it is required or optional. The manual shows its bulb and socket installation location on the driver's side but does not provide installation instructions. Contact Blue Ox or your dealer for details on whether the BX8869 is needed for your application.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. The cables prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the connection between the frame and baseplate fails. The BX3319 kit includes two 36" safety cables (226-0046) with quicklinks (229-0359). The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member. Do not mount cables against wires, hoses or brake lines. Permanent safety cables are to be used in conjunction with, and are not 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 bolts are tightened to the recommended specifications using Loctite Red. Hook up all towing equipment per manufacturer's instructions.
Yes. Register your baseplate online at www.blueox.com. Registration is crucial so you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
No. If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use only a replacement bolt of the same grade (usually Grade 5, as listed in the parts list). The manual emphasizes using only genuine factory replacement parts on the baseplate. Do not use homemade or nontypical parts. Repair parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox dealer or distributor.
Dimensional variations between otherwise identical Saturn Ion vehicles can be considerable. If a bolt does not clear a hole in the baseplate, it may be necessary to file the hole slightly to allow the bolt to fit. The baseplate holes were designed to allow for easy installation but may require minor adjustment.
Yes. Loctite must be applied to all bolts before tightening. The manual specifically states "Be sure and use loctite on all bolts before tightening." Loctite Red is recommended for maintenance and retightening.
The scribe is used to mark the front of the bumper bracket on the inside of each frame end, using the bottom edge of the metal bumper as a guide. This scribe mark indicates where the horizontal cut should be made to the frame to open the area for baseplate installation.
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 comes into contact with a wire or hose, it could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after installation. Do not mount permanent baseplate safety cables against wires, hoses or brake lines.
Yes. Remove the attachment tabs when not in use (if applicable). This helps protect the baseplate and towing equipment when the vehicle is not being towed.
The BX3319 fits 2003-04 Saturn Ion models with 4-cylinder manual transmission only. It will not fit automatic transmission models.
Yes. You must drill three holes on each side using a 13/32" drill bit, and make horizontal and vertical cuts to the frame on both sides.
Yes. The front fascia and metal bumper must be removed. The fascia is held by four top bolts, two push pins and one bolt per wheel well, and four push pins near the tires. The bumper is held by six bolts.
You need 7MM, 9/16", 10MM and 13MM sockets, a 13/32" drill bit, scribe, hack saw, vise grip, and Loctite.
Yes. Two 36" permanent baseplate safety cables are included and strongly recommended. They must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member and are not a replacement for legally required towing safety cables.
Before each towing trip, inspect for cracked welds, missing or worn parts, and loose bolts. Ensure all bolts are tightened to specification using Loctite Red. Register your baseplate at www.blueox.com for safety bulletins and recalls.
No. Use only replacement bolts of the same grade (Grade 5). Use only genuine factory replacement parts. Order repair parts through a Blue Ox dealer or distributor.
Dimensional variations between Saturn Ion vehicles can be considerable. If a bolt does not clear a hole, file the hole slightly to allow the bolt to fit. The baseplate holes were designed to allow for easy installation but may require minor adjustment.
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