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Blue Ox
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1996 - 1998 Suzuki Sidekick
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Custom Design: The tow bar bracket is uniquely designed for each specific 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
Introducing the Blue Ox BX3509 Tow Bar Bracket, your perfect solution for durable and reliable towing. This uniquely designed, steel base plate is specifically tailored for each towed vehicle, ensuring a precise fit. The black, powder-coated finish not only gives it a sleek appearance but also provides resistance against rust and corrosion. The Bolt-On mounting type ensures a secure fit and easy installation. With the included hardware and comprehensive instructions, you can perform the installation yourself with ease, saving time and money. Embrace the robustness and simplicity of the Blue Ox BX3509 Tow Bar Bracket for an enhanced 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.
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Call 888-634-94943 Years
1 compatible vehicles
| Year | Make & Model | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1996 - 1998 | Suzuki Sidekick | 4 Door 4WD Comes with Standard Attachment Tabs Install Rating 3 Minor Drilling Required |
Yes, the BX3509 is designed specifically for 1996–1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport models. The baseplate mounts to the front underside of the chassis using six bolts (three per side) and attaches to the suspension 'A' arm towers and the chassis cross beam.
The kit includes the baseplate weldment (61-4795), two nut holder weldments (61-3522), two 1/2" nut wire weldments (61-4029), two 1/2" × 1-1/4" hex head bolts Grade 5 (201-0011), two 1/2" × 1-3/4" hex head bolts Grade 5 (201-0068), two 8MM × 30MM hex bolts Grade 8.8 (201-0446), two 3/8" flat washers (203-0003), four 1/2" lock washers (203-0012), two 8MM lock washers (203-0102), two 36" baseplate safety cables (226-0046), and four 3/8" quicklinks (229-0359).
The manual does not specify whether battery disconnection is required. Contact the manufacturer or a qualified installer for guidance on this step.
Yes. Installation requires drilling four 17/32" diameter holes in the chassis: two horizontal holes on the inside of the 'A' arm towers and two vertical holes on the chassis cross beam. The manual specifies pilot drilling through one side only, then finish drilling with a 17/32" diameter drill bit, and removing burrs afterward.
Yes. The plastic bumper has three vertical ribs on the inside that prevent it from being compressed flat against the frame. Approximately one inch must be trimmed from each rib to allow the plastic to be pushed flat against the bottom of the frame, which is necessary for proper baseplate installation.
The manual specifies a 17/32" transfer punch, center punch, pilot drill bit, 17/32" diameter drill bit, and a flashlight. A tool for trimming plastic bumper ribs is also needed. The manual does not specify whether a lift, jack, or additional equipment is required to access the underside of the vehicle.
1. Trim plastic bumper ribs (approximately one inch each). 2. Temporarily position baseplate using two 8MM bolts in the chassis cross beam holes. 3. Use baseplate as template to center punch and mark four large holes on chassis. 4. Remove baseplate and pilot drill, then finish drill all four holes with 17/32" bit; remove burrs. 5. Reposition baseplate loosely with 8MM bolts, lock washers, and flat washers; apply Loctite. 6. Insert 1/2" × 1-3/4" bolts into horizontal holes on heavy arms with lock washers and Loctite; slide 1/2" wire nuts up inside towers and start bolts loosely. 7. Slide nut plates up inside chassis cross beam using oval holes; position so nut is directly above strut hole. 8. Place lock washer and Loctite on each 1/2" × 1-3/4" bolt and hand start into vertical strut holes and nut plates. 9. Tighten all bolts firmly.
The baseplate has two heavy inside arms and two outside struts. The inside arms slide up between the two vertical towers of the vehicle, which are the forward attachment points for the suspension 'A' arms. When properly positioned, the tow bar attachment tabs angle upward.
The two nut plates (part 61-3522) are positioned inside the chassis cross beam and engage with the 1/2" × 1-3/4" bolts that attach the baseplate struts to the vertical strut holes. The nut plates are slid up inside the cross beam using oval holes for access, with the short side of the plate inserted first and the nut positioned on top, directly above the strut hole.
The manual does not provide specific torque values. It states 'tighten all bolts firmly' and recommends using Loctite Red on all bolts. Contact the manufacturer or a qualified installer for the correct torque specifications for each bolt size and grade.
The manual does not describe any electrical wiring as part of the baseplate installation. However, the installer is responsible for watching for electrical wires and hoses during installation and ensuring the baseplate is not mounted against them, as improper installation could cause electrical shorts.
Yes. Two 36" baseplate safety cables (part 226-0046) are included in the kit and are strongly recommended. 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 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.
Do not substitute other devices if the tow bar pin and clip are lost. Obtain replacement parts from the manufacturer or an authorized dealer.
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 attachment tabs should be removed when not in use (if applicable). Register your product online at www.blueox.com to receive alerts about product offerings, updates, upgrades, maintenance and safety bulletins, and recalls.
The two 8MM × 30MM hex bolts (part 201-0446) are used to temporarily position the baseplate by inserting them into the two 8MM threaded holes on the chassis cross beam, just behind the bumper. These bolts are firmly tightened to hold the baseplate in place while the four large mounting holes are marked, drilled, and prepared. The baseplate is then repositioned loosely with these same 8MM bolts along with lock washers and flat washers, with Loctite applied to the threads.
The two 1/2" wire nuts (part 61-4029) are slid up inside the 'A' arm towers during installation. They work with the 1/2" × 1-3/4" bolts (part 201-0068) inserted into the two horizontal holes on the heavy arms to secure the baseplate to the suspension attachment points.
The manual does not specify whether professional installation is required. However, the installation involves drilling holes in the chassis, trimming plastic components, and precise positioning of internal nut plates. Contact the manufacturer or a qualified installer if you are unsure about your ability to complete the installation safely and correctly.
Yes, the BX3509 is designed specifically for 1996–1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport models.
Yes. Four 17/32" diameter holes must be drilled in the chassis: two in the 'A' arm towers and two in the cross beam. Plastic bumper ribs must also be trimmed by approximately one inch each.
You will need a 17/32" transfer punch, center punch, pilot drill bit, 17/32" diameter drill bit, flashlight, and a tool for trimming plastic bumper ribs.
Yes. Two 36" baseplate safety cables are included and strongly recommended. They must be connected from the baseplate to the vehicle's frame and are used in conjunction with, not as a replacement for, legally required towing safety cables.
Yes. Loctite must be applied to the threads of the 8MM bolts, the 1/2" × 1-3/4" bolts, and the 1/2" × 1-1/4" bolts. The manual recommends Loctite Red for all bolts.
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.
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