Towing without a baseplate

[alcouch33]

Hi, I have a 02 Wrangler and want to replace the factory bumper with a steel bumper so I can attach my Blue Ox directly to the bumper. Any suggestions on bumpers? Thanks, Alan

[falconman]

My used 06 Jeep came with Smittybilt XRC bumpers that I use the D Ring mounts to attach my Blue Ox towbar to via BO adapters. It's been working fine. My suggestion to to find an off road shop and take a look at the bumpers on display. Make sure the D ring are fully welded on front and back. The adapters come in either 7/8 or 1 inch pin diameter, something to check before ordering. You will probably also need an offset hitch adapter to level things up.

[klutchdust]

j-d wrote:
I understand why you guys want to do this, but I hope you are considering what happens on the BACK side of the Bumper, not just the front. I helped install a BlueOx baseplate on a Hummer H3. Not a Jeep, but still a full frame with mounting "horns" behind bumper and tow hooks. It had the typical longer/tougher bolts. But it ALSO had additional brackets that reinforced the "horn" mountings by going down the sides of the frame and bolting through. B-Ox apparently thought it was one thing to snatch a Jeep out of the mud once in awhile, towing it over many miles and many years. Outfits like B-Ox and Roadmaster don't want he liability of attachment failures. Nor do they want damage to their very good reputations. I'd be looking to see if the companies that specialize in baseplates add support that bumper builders don't.

The plates that I bolted to my bumper are thicker and stronger than what I have seen some manufactures use. The bolts that hold my

mounting plates on go through the bumper and into the frame of the jeep. My plates aren't just bolted to the bumper. You are incorrect

pertaining to my set up.

[j-d]

I understand why you guys want to do this, but I hope you are considering what happens on the BACK side of the Bumper, not just the front. I helped install a BlueOx baseplate on a Hummer H3. Not a Jeep, but still a full frame with mounting "horns" behind bumper and tow hooks. It had the typical longer/tougher bolts. But it ALSO had additional brackets that reinforced the "horn" mountings by going down the sides of the frame and bolting through. B-Ox apparently thought it was one thing to snatch a Jeep out of the mud once in awhile, towing it over many miles and many years. Outfits like B-Ox and Roadmaster don't want he liability of attachment failures. Nor do they want damage to their very good reputations. I'd be looking to see if the companies that specialize in baseplates add support that bumper builders don't.

[NAUTIQUE]

I rigged mine up using adapters like Dahkota mentioned above.
(I'm drawing a blank on exactly what type they were though - I think they were right from blue ox?)

I still utilized the stock bumper. I had a front receiver hitch (that I use for a driveway plow). I modified this by adding an overlay piece of steel, a separate nerf bar, & the tow bar adapters.

[klutchdust]

I have the rugged ridge bumper. If you notice the "D" rings I was going to just remove the rings utilize those brackets but the tow bar would not fit properly. Was

thinking of grinding them down but the brackets are cast.My concern was the bracket was going to be thinner . Instead I purchased some steel plate and fabricated my own and bolted them to the

bumper. I also had to lower the brackets to keep the tow bar within the "safety zone" . I use a ready brake system and the bar was too high on the JK bumper.

[FIRE_UP]

alcouch33 wrote:
Hi, I have a 02 Wrangler and want to replace the factory bumper with a steel bumper so I can attach my Blue Ox directly to the bumper. Any suggestions on bumpers? Thanks, Alan

Well Sir,
I've been out of Jeeping for a few years now, we did it for over 25 years and, I built 7 different Jeeps and, all the components on all of them. I towed all of them without any factory "Base plate". I set my tow bars up to utilize the same brackets that the big Clevis pins used for pulling other Jeeps out of trouble.

It always worked flawlessly. Now, as for suggesting any aftermarket bumpers that can also be used for towing, can't help you there. Again, been out of it for too long. Good luck.
Scott

[dahkota]

We have this Rockhard bumper on our 2015 with a winch.

They also make the adapters for different towbars.