Jeep XJ Tow Bar

You will need to verify what you have holding on the front bumper because it isn't structural in a stock form. If you have the front tow hook kit on it, then a beam has been added from the frame to the bumper to make the bumper mount structural and to hold the tow hooks.

Other than that, they are pretty simple.

Mike

86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail > My truck is in the shop for it's 30K service and I will need to go

I have a winch bumper on my XJ (Custom 4x4 Fabrication)... Similar to this photo, but without the shackle mounts...

I'm thinking that I can weld up a pair of brackets for the front of the XJ with a backing plate instead of washers on the inside of the bumper so as to better distribute the load... A pair of half inch diameter bolts per bracket... A hole drilled in the bracket tab for installing a double nutted bolt to act as a pin between the bar mechanism and the brackets... The bracket tab would be oriented vertically so that the angle between the tow bar and the XJ can change so that it won't put undue stress on the metal when I'm encountering changing road angles like when driving from the street into an inclined driveway...

Right now, I'm debating whether to make it a fixed A-frame design or something without a cross piece so that it can be folded up for when not in use... I have a Lincoln AC-225 "Tombstone" welder, so welding thick metal will not be a problem...

You may see what others have made via Google:

want it at least five feet long, to keep if from pushing you sidewaysaround turns, and a quick release to get out of the way for Jeepin'. I haveone bent from roll bar material, that acts like a brush guard, up: and: But have to bolt an extension on itto tow anywhere safely: God Bless America, Bill O|||||||Omailto: snipped-for-privacy@aol.com

I looked underneath it this afternoon... Turns out that there are two holes for tow hooks / shackle mounts / whatever... Looks like I won't need to be drilling holes in the front of the bumper...

You may see what others have made via Google:

want it at least five feet long, to keep if from pushing you sidewaysaround turns, and a quick release to get out of the way for Jeepin'. I haveone bent from roll bar material, that acts like a brush guard, up: and: But have to bolt an extension on itto tow anywhere safely: God Bless America, Bill O|||||||Omailto: snipped-for-privacy@aol.com

Interesting that "tow bars" are something different over in the UK...

What wall thickness metal and diameter would you suggest? The 5000 lb rated hitches have a 2.5" channel for bolting things to underneath them...