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Blue Ox
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2001 - 2004 Chrysler PT Cruiser
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1. Custom Design: The Blue Ox BX1956 Tow Bar Bracket is custom designed to ensure a perfect fit for each specific towed vehicle, providing secure towing and ease of use.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
The Blue Ox BX1956 Tow Bar Bracket is the ultimate solution for your towing needs. Custom designed for each specific towed vehicle, this robust bracket ensures a perfect fit and easy installation. Fabricated from high-grade steel and finished with a durable powder coat, it guarantees long-lasting performance and exceptional resistance to rust and corrosion. Its bolt-on mounting type ensures quick and secure installation with all necessary hardware included. The bracket comes in a sleek black color that adds a touch of elegance to your vehicle while maintaining its functionality.
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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Yes, the BX1956 is designed for 2001-04 Chrysler PT Cruiser models, including Turbo versions. The baseplate attachment tabs are 25" center to center with a height of 12-1/2". Installation requires removal of the front fascia and factory metal bumper, which will not be reinstalled.
No. The factory metal bumper will not be reinstalled. It is removed during baseplate installation and set aside permanently.
Required tools include: 7MM, 10MM, and 13MM sockets; 9/16" socket; 13/32" drill bit; 1-1/2" hole saw; 9/32" drill bit; reciprocating saw; utility knife; barrel sander; vise grip; hack saw; flat head screwdriver; tape measure; and Loctite. A helper is also needed to hold the fascia during alignment.
The manual does not specify whether professional installation is required. However, the installation involves multiple steps including drilling, cutting, welding assessment, and precise alignment. A helper is required to hold the fascia during installation. Contact your Blue Ox dealer or distributor for professional installation options.
Open the hood and remove the screws from the top of the grill using a 7MM socket. Carefully pull the grill up and out to remove it, then set it aside.
Yes, drilling is required. You will drill multiple holes using a 13/32" drill bit in the frame rails, a 9/32" drill bit in the license plate bracket, and use a 1-1/2" hole saw for the fascia openings. A reciprocating saw is also used to cut the lower frame, and a utility knife is used to cut the fascia.
Using a reciprocating saw, measure and mark from the top side of the lower radiator tray up 2-3/4" and 5" on the lower frame on both sides. Make two 1" horizontal cuts on the lower frame bend section and bend back out of the way or cut off completely.
Lay the fascia face down on soft material to prevent scratching. Cut out and fold the template, taping it in place according to template instructions on both sides. Mark and predrill a 1/4" hole on both sides. Using a 1-1/2" hole saw, drill holes to align with the 1/4" predrill holes. Have someone help hold the fascia in place for proper alignment. Carefully cut the fascia with a utility knife to open the area for the convenience link adjacent to the receiver tubes on both sides. Shape the opening with a barrel sander to fit the receiver tubes, then slide the fascia into place.
The baseplate uses 3/8"-16 bolts in two sizes: 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2" bolts (item #4) for the center bottom holes and 3/8"-16 x 1-1/4" bolts (item #3) for the remaining holes. All bolts use 3/8" lock washers (item #5) and 3/8" hex nuts (item #6) or 3/8" nut plates (item #2). Loctite must be applied to all bolts before tightening, and all bolts must be torqued according to the Torque Chart in the General Instructions.
Yes. For 2001-02 models only: remove two front metric bolts and loosen the back metric bolt on the computer box of the driver's side frame rail using a 10MM socket (step 7). Additionally, when drilling holes on the driver's side, 2001-02 models will need to drill front holes out on the computer box to align with the drilled holes in the frame rail (step 11).
Two templates are provided: one for 2001-02 models (attachment 292-6118) and one for 2003 models (attachment 292-6155). The template is cut out, folded, and taped in place on the fascia according to instructions on the template itself. It is used to mark the location of the 1/4" predrill holes and the 1-1/2" hole saw holes that align the fascia with the receiver tubes.
Dimensional variations between otherwise identical PT Cruisers can be considerable. While the baseplate holes were designed for easy installation, it may be necessary to file a hole slightly to allow a bolt to clear.
After reinstalling the front fascia, remove the license plate bracket using a 10MM socket. Using item #8 (Bracket, Electrical, BX1956) as a template, center and drill two holes into the bottom of the license plate bracket with a 9/32" drill bit. Install items #8, #10, #11, #12, and #13 to the license plate bracket according to the drawing on the last page, then reinstall the license plate bracket.
1. Align the baseplate using existing holes on the passenger's side frame rail and tighten those two bolts. 2. Clamp the baseplate on the driver's side to align with the top edge of the frame rail using a vise grip. 3. Using the baseplate as a template, drill holes in the side of the frame rail with a 13/32" drill bit. 4. For 2001-02 models, drill front holes on the computer box to align with the drilled frame holes. 5. Insert item #2 (nut plate) into the frame opening on the driver's side and tighten items #4 and #5 (bolts and lock washers). Apply Loctite to all bolts before tightening and torque according to the Torque Chart in General Instructions.
1. In the center bottom hole, use a 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2" bolt. 2. Add a bracket to the back of the baseplate. 3. Align the bottom hole of the bracket with the bottom hole of the baseplate. 4. Attach with a 3/8" lock washer and 3/8" nut plate. 5. Do this on both sides (driver's and passenger's sides).
Drill the remaining three holes on the front of the baseplate using a 13/32" drill bit. Insert 3/8"-16 x 1-1/4" bolts into all drilled holes and tighten with 3/8" lock washers and 3/8" hex nuts on the back side of the webbing. Apply Loctite to all bolts before tightening. Torque all bolts according to the Torque Chart in General Instructions. Do this on both sides.
When drilling the top hole of the bracket into the frame on the passenger's side, use a tube over the drill bit to protect the tubes and wires from damage.
The license plate bracket uses 1/4"-20 x 3/4" hex bolts (item #10), 1/4" flat washers (item #11), 1/4" lock washers (item #12), and 1/4"-20 hex whiz nuts with Loctite (item #13). There are four of each fastener type.
The BX1956 kit includes: baseplate weldment (61-5838), four 3/8"-16 nut plates with 14-inch wire, eight 3/8"-16 x 1-1/4" bolts, four 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2" bolts, twelve 3/8" lock washers, eight 3/8"-16 hex nuts, two attachment assemblies, electrical bracket, flat steel piece, license plate bracket fasteners (bolts, washers, nuts), two 4-way electrical connectors, two support braces, two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables, two 3/8" quicklinks, two receiver cap plugs, and templates for 2001-02 and 2003 models.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended when towing a vehicle with a tow bar. The BX1956 kit includes two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables (item 226-0046) and two 3/8" quicklinks (item 229-0359). The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member of the vehicle's frame and must not be mounted against wires, hoses, or brake lines. These cables 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.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. Replacement pins and clips must be obtained from Blue Ox.
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.
The installer must 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. Do not mount permanent baseplate safety cables against wires, hoses, or brake lines.
Yes. Ensure that your product is registered online at www.blueox.com. It is crucial to register your product so that you may be alerted of product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and/or recalls.
Yes. Remove the attachment tabs when not in use.
Use only genuine factory replacement parts on your baseplate. If a bolt is lost or in need of replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade (usually Grade 5; refer to the parts list). Repair parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox dealer or distributor.
Loctite must be applied to all bolts before tightening. The manual specifies using Loctite Red on all bolts to ensure they remain secure. This is critical for maintaining the integrity of the baseplate installation.
Yes, the BX1956 is designed for 2001-04 PT Cruiser models including Turbo. The factory metal bumper will not be reinstalled.
Yes. Drilling is required using a 13/32" drill bit for frame rails, 9/32" drill bit for the license plate bracket, and a 1-1/2" hole saw for fascia openings. A reciprocating saw is also used to cut the lower frame.
Required tools include 7MM, 10MM, and 13MM sockets; 13/32" and 9/32" drill bits; 1-1/2" hole saw; reciprocating saw; utility knife; barrel sander; vise grip; and Loctite. A helper is required to hold the fascia during alignment.
The baseplate uses 3/8"-16 x 1-1/2" and 3/8"-16 x 1-1/4" bolts with 3/8" lock washers and hex nuts or nut plates. All bolts require Loctite and must be torqued according to the Torque Chart in General Instructions.
Yes. Two 36" Class III baseplate safety cables and two 3/8" quicklinks are included. Safety cables are strongly recommended and must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member, not against wires, hoses, or brake lines.
Yes. 2001-02 models require removing two front bolts and loosening one back bolt on the computer box (step 7), and drilling front holes on the computer box to align with frame rail holes (step 11). 2003-04 models do not require these steps.
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 product at www.blueox.com for safety bulletins and recalls.
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 - 2004 | Chrysler PT Cruiser | Vehicles with Turbo 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 |
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