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Blue Ox
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1996 - 1997 GEO Tracker
Confirmed to Fit
1991 - 1998 Suzuki Sidekick
Confirmed to Fit
Always the correct part
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Custom designed: The Blue Ox BX3505 Tow Bar Bracket is specifically engineered for each towed vehicle, ensuring a 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 BX3505 Tow Bar Bracket is a custom-engineered towing solution designed to make your towing experience safe and convenient. Crafted from robust steel, this tow bar bracket is designed to endure the toughest towing conditions. It features a powder coat finish, providing superior resistance to rust and corrosion. The black color adds a sleek aesthetic to your vehicle. Designed for a bolt-on mounting, it is easy to install with all the necessary hardware included. The Blue Ox BX3505 offers you a hassle-free towing solution with enhanced durability and a stylish look.
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
2 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 - 1997 | GEO Tracker | 4-Door | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Minor Drilling Required 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 |
| 1991 - 1998 | Suzuki Sidekick | 4-Door | Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Minor Drilling Required 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 BX3505 is designed for 1991-98 Suzuki Sidekick 4 Door / 4WD models. It is also compatible with 1996-97 Geo Tracker 4 Door in both 2WD and 4WD configurations. Confirm towing procedures with your vehicle's owner's manual or manufacturer before towing.
Yes, the BX3505 is compatible with 1996-97 Geo Tracker 4 Door in both 2WD and 4WD versions. However, installation on the Geo Tracker requires trimming of the plastic bumper to allow the baseplate to mount properly.
The attachment tabs are 12 inches in height and 24 inches in width. If you plan to use certain adapters or specific tow bars (RangeFinder II, Adventurer, or Acclaim), you may need to drill an additional 5/16" hole in the attachment tabs, or use an adapter, depending on the tow bar model.
The kit includes: 2× 1/2" × 1 1/4" Hex Head Bolts Grade 5 (201-0011); 4× 1/2" Lock Washers (203-0012); 2× Weldment 1/2" Nut Wire (61-4029); 2× 1/2" × 1 3/4" Hex Head Bolts Grade 5 (201-0068); 2× Weldment Nut Holder (61-3522); 1× Weldment Baseplate (61-3521); 2× 8MM Lock Washers (203-0102); 2× 8MM-1.25 × 30MM Hex Bolts Grade 8.8 (201-0446); 2× 3/8" Flat Washers (203-0003); 2× Baseplate Safety Cables 36" Class III (226-0046); and 2× Quicklinks 3/8" Zinc Plated (229-0359).
Required tools are: 13MM socket, 3/4" socket, 13/32" transfer punch, 17/32" drill, utility knife, hammer, flashlight, small pilot drill, and LOCTITE Red. You will also need a drill press or hand drill capable of drilling through vehicle frame steel.
Blue Ox recommends that baseplates be installed by Blue Ox Dealers who are familiar with the products and have the equipment and knowledge necessary for fit work. Dealers can be found at www.blueox.us or by contacting Blue Ox Customer Care at (402) 385-3051 or toll free (888) 425-5382. However, the manual does not explicitly state that professional installation is mandatory.
Yes, drilling is required. You must drill four large holes: two horizontal holes on the inside of the "A" arm towers and two vertical holes on the chassis cross beam. Use a 17/32" diameter drill bit. Pilot drill all four holes through one side only, then finish drill with the 17/32" bit and remove burrs.
Yes, on the Geo Tracker only, the plastic bumper must be trimmed. The plastic bumper ends just forward of the 8MM holes and has three vertical ribs on the inside that prevent compression. Trim approximately one inch off these ribs to allow the plastic to be pushed flat against the bottom of the frame.
Yes, trimming the plastic bumper ribs is a permanent modification. Approximately one inch must be trimmed from the three vertical ribs on the inside of the plastic bumper to allow it to compress flat against the frame during baseplate installation.
The baseplate mounts to the front underside of the chassis using six bolts—three on each side. The two heavy inside arms slide up between the two vertical towers of the vehicle (the forward attachment points for the suspension "A" arms). The two outside struts mount to the chassis cross beam just behind the bumper. Properly positioned, the tow bar attachment tabs will angle upward.
Slide each nut plate up inside the chassis cross beam using the oval holes just forward and outside the struts for access. The short side of the plate goes in first with the nut on top. Using a flashlight, position the plate so the nut is directly above the strut hole before inserting the bolt.
According to the torque specification table for inch bolts, 1/2" Grade 5 bolts should be torqued to 78 foot-pounds. Apply LOCTITE Red to all bolt threads before installation.
According to the torque specification table for metric bolts, 8MM Grade 8.8 bolts should be torqued to 16 foot-pounds. Apply LOCTITE Red to all bolt threads before installation.
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, as this could cause fluid leaks or electrical shorts. The cables are strongly recommended to prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the baseplate connection fails.
Permanent baseplate safety cables are strongly recommended by Blue Ox. They prevent the towed vehicle from breaking loose if the connection between the frame and baseplate fails. The kit includes 2× 36" Class III safety cables (226-0046) with 2× 3/8" quicklinks (229-0359). These cables must 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 torque specifications using LOCTITE Red. Verify that the tow bar and safety cables are properly connected according to their manufacturer's instructions.
After installation, verify that all six bolts are tightened firmly. Check that the baseplate is properly aligned and that the attachment tabs angle upward. Inspect for any interference with wires, hoses, or brake lines. Install the tow bar and safety cables according to their package instructions. Before towing, confirm towing procedures with your vehicle's owner's manual or manufacturer.
Yes, the manual recommends removing the attachment tabs when not in use, if applicable to your baseplate model.
No. Even though existing holes and bolts may be present on the vehicle, do not assume they are adequate for baseplate mounting. Always use the hardware supplied in the BX3505 hardware kit and any existing hardware specifically listed in the Baseplate Installation Instructions. Using incorrect fasteners could result in baseplate failure.
No. If a bolt is lost or needs replacement, use only a replacement bolt of the same grade. Most bolts on the BX3505 are Grade 5; refer to the parts list to confirm the grade. Do not use homemade or non-typical parts. Replacement parts may be ordered through your nearest Blue Ox Dealer or Distributor, or by calling (402) 385-3051.
Yes, it is crucial to register your baseplate online at www.blueox.com. Registration ensures you are alerted to product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and recalls.
The BX3505 fits 1991-98 Suzuki Sidekick 4 Door / 4WD and 1996-97 Geo Tracker 4 Door (2WD & 4WD). Confirm towing procedures with your vehicle's owner's manual.
Yes. You must drill four holes (two horizontal in the "A" arm towers, two vertical in the chassis cross beam) using a 17/32" drill bit. On Geo Tracker, the plastic bumper must also be trimmed approximately one inch.
You need: 13MM socket, 3/4" socket, 13/32" transfer punch, 17/32" drill, utility knife, hammer, flashlight, small pilot drill, and LOCTITE Red.
1/2" Grade 5 bolts: 78 ft-lbs. 8MM Grade 8.8 bolts: 16 ft-lbs. Apply LOCTITE Red to all bolt threads and tighten all bolts firmly after installation.
Yes, two 36" Class III safety cables and two 3/8" quicklinks are included. They are strongly recommended and must be connected from the baseplate to the vehicle's frame rail or cross member. They do not replace legally required towing vehicle safety cables.
Blue Ox recommends installation by Blue Ox Dealers familiar with the product and fit work. Dealers are available at www.blueox.us or (402) 385-3051 / (888) 425-5382. The manual does not explicitly prohibit DIY installation but requires drilling, trimming, and precise alignment.
Verify all six bolts are tightened firmly, the baseplate is aligned with tabs angled upward, and there is no interference with wires, hoses, or brake lines. Install the tow bar and safety cables per their instructions. Confirm towing procedures with your vehicle's owner's manual.
Verify that the nut wires are slid all the way up inside the towers and that the nut plates are positioned so the nut is directly above the strut hole. If bolts still will not engage, a hole may need to be filed slightly to allow the bolt to clear, as dimensional variations between vehicles can be considerable. Use a flashlight to inspect the nut plate position and adjust as needed.
On the Geo Tracker, the plastic bumper must be compressed flat against the frame. If the bumper is not fully compressed, trim approximately one inch off the three vertical ribs on the inside of the plastic bumper. These ribs prevent compression and must be removed to allow the plastic to sit flat. After trimming, reposition the baseplate and verify it sits flush.
Inspect the bolt and verify it is the correct grade and size per the parts list. If the bolt is correct, remove it, apply LOCTITE Red to the threads, and retighten to the appropriate torque specification (1/2" Grade 5: 78 ft-lbs; 8MM Grade 8.8: 16 ft-lbs). Before each towing trip, inspect all bolts for looseness and retighten as needed.
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