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2003 - 2005 Dodge Neon
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{'title': 'Custom Design', 'description': 'Each Blue Ox BX1961 Tow Bar Bracket is custom-designed for a specific towed vehicle, ensuring a perfect fit and maximum towing efficiency.
Material: Steel
Color: Black
Finish: Powder Coat
Mounting Type: Bolt On
Mounting Hardware Included Yes/No: Yes
Elevate your towing experience with the Blue Ox BX1961 Tow Bar Bracket. This high-quality, robust bracket is custom-designed for a perfect fit with your specific towed vehicle. Crafted from durable steel with a sleek black powder coat finish, the BX1961 is built to withstand the rigors of the road. Its bolt-on mounting system ensures an easy DIY installation with the included hardware and step-by-step instructions. This tow bar bracket from Blue Ox promises ultimate convenience and long-lasting performance, making it a reliable companion for your towing needs.
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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1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 - 2005 | Dodge Neon | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Bumper Fascia Must Be Removed/Replaced During Install Minor Drilling Required Headlights Must be Removed and Replaced During Installation Baseplate Has Non 24 in. Spaced Attachment Tabs Requires Motorhome Mounted Towbar/Adapter To Utilize Car Mounted Tow Bar Tow Bar Adapters Not To Be Used On Vehicles Over 5000 lbs. |
Yes, the BX1961 is designed specifically for the 2003 Dodge Neon SXT. The attachment tabs are 20 inches center to center with a height of 14 inches.
The BX8869 is available for the 2003 Dodge Neon SXT and mounts on the driver's side tail light assembly, as shown in the manual. However, the manual does not specify whether it is included with the baseplate or must be ordered separately. Contact your Blue Ox dealer for availability and pricing.
The headlight assembly, front fascia, horn bracket and air baffle must be removed for baseplate installation. These are removed in a specific sequence: first the fascia (steps 1–4), then the headlight assemblies (step 5), then the air baffle on the driver's side (step 6), and finally the horn bracket (step 7).
Required tools are: 8MM socket, 10MM socket, 13MM socket, T-25 torx, 13/32" drill bit, vise grips, 9/16" socket, and Loctite. A hammer may be used as an alternative to vise grips for bending the webbing.
Yes, drilling is required. You must drill five holes total using a 13/32" drill bit: three holes on each side of the frame rail and two holes on the bottom of each frame rail (step 11). No trimming of the fascia is needed.
A 13/32" drill bit is required to drill the frame rail holes for the baseplate mounting bolts.
No, no trimming of the fascia is needed. The baseplate is designed to fit without fascia modification.
Yes, the webbing on the frame must be bent up and flat with the frame using vise grips or a hammer (step 8). This is a required modification to accommodate the baseplate.
The baseplate is secured to the bottom of the metal bumper with clamps on both sides (step 11). The baseplate is then slid back to the ribbing on the front edge of the lower frame and up as far as possible before drilling the frame rail holes.
Nut plates are inserted into openings just behind the baseplate on the frame sides to align with the drilled holes. Two nut plates align with the bottom holes (step 12) and two align with the side holes (step 13). Each is secured with a 3/8" bolt and lock washer using Loctite.
The horn bracket is relocated from its original position to an existing threaded hole on the frame (step 7). The metric bolt is removed from the original bracket location and reinstalled in the new threaded hole.
The manual states that all bolts must be tightened according to the Torque Chart in the General Instruction Sheet, which is not included in this document. Contact your Blue Ox dealer or refer to the General Instruction Sheet for specific torque values.
The BX1961 includes: 8 nut plates (3/8"), 2 bolts (3/8-16 x 1"), 8 bolts (3/8-16 x 1½"), 10 lock washers (3/8"), 2 hex nuts (3/8-16), 2 self-drilling screws (#12-14 x 1"), 2 slot round head screws (#10-32 x ½"), 2 lock washers (#10), 2 hex nuts (#10-32), 2 four-way connectors, 2 safety cables (36" Class III), and 4 quicklinks (3/8").
Yes, Loctite must be applied to all bolts before tightening (steps 12–13). The manual specifies using Loctite Red on all bolts and recommends tightening to the recommended specifications.
The manual notes that dimensional variations between otherwise identical cars can be considerable. If a hole does not align, it may be necessary to file the hole slightly to allow a bolt to clear (step 15).
After the baseplate is fully installed and bolted, reinstall the air baffle on the driver's side, the headlight assemblies, and the fascia (step 14). Ensure all electrical connections are plugged in properly before completing the installation.
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 BX1961 includes 2 safety cables (36" Class III). The cables must be connected from the baseplate to the frame rail or cross member and must not be mounted 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 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.
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 against a wire or hose, it could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts some time after installation.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. Replacement pins and clips must be obtained from Blue Ox to ensure safe towing operation.
Yes, it is crucial to register your 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 should be removed when not in use.
No. Use only genuine factory replacement parts on your baseplate. If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use a replacement bolt of the same grade (usually Grade 5, as listed in the parts list). Do not substitute homemade or nontypical parts. Repair parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox dealer or distributor.
Yes. The BX1961 is designed specifically for the 2003 Dodge Neon SXT with attachment tabs 20 inches center to center and 14 inches in height.
Yes, drilling is required using a 13/32" drill bit to create five holes in the frame rails. No fascia trimming is needed.
Required tools: 8MM, 10MM, 13MM sockets; T-25 torx; 13/32" drill bit; vise grips; 9/16" socket; and Loctite.
The headlight assembly, front fascia, horn bracket and air baffle must be removed. These are reinstalled after baseplate installation.
Yes, Loctite must be applied to all bolts before tightening. Torque specifications are in the General Instruction Sheet (not included in this manual).
Yes, two 36" Class III 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.
Inspect all towing equipment for cracked welds, missing or worn parts and loose bolts. Ensure all bolts are tightened to recommended specifications using Loctite Red.
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