Adjustable Tow Bar

[yellowjeeperman]

In 4wd.com 's catalog the Adjustable Tow Bar is $160 without shipping. With Shipping from some no name company its about $86. Are these things pretty much all the same? Both are rated at 5000lbs and thats fine for my TJ. Heres the link to the offbrand one.
http://www.nationalonlinesales.com/s...uct.asp?ID=997
What do you guys think?

Also Needed:
-Chains
-Wiring Harness

[JEEPR]

Picture looks just like my name brand one.

[wrath]

Looks like a draw-tite brand one... I'd get it.

[yellowjeeperman]

Just Ordered It

[Jeeperz Creeperz]

Be SURE you're getting the brackets with it. Most of these tow bars are just that, "tow bars". They connect to brackets which are purchased seperately.

Originally Posted by yellowjeeperman

Just Ordered It

[yellowjeeperman]

Originally Posted by Jeeperz Creeperz

Be SURE you're getting the brackets with it. Most of these tow bars are just that, "tow bars". They connect to brackets which are purchased seperately.

If it does come that way, which I am not sure right now and I will check, thats fine because I plan on mocking up brackets and having them welded into my ARB Bullbar I would actually rather not have the brackets because i really wont be needing them.

[yellowjeeperman]

Adjustable Tow Bar

-Towing Capacity: 5000 Lbs
-Universal Fit To Bumpers With Mounting Brackets & 2 Pins
-Arm Extension: 24" To 41" Wide
-Fold To Compact Store
-Hitch Coupler Size: 2"

Im all set either way.

[sodapop]

I bought one off Ebay over a year ago and used it several times now. It looks identical to the one you linked to. I paid a little less than $80 shipped to my door. it was either $68 or $76 I can't remember. I don't think Mine came with a wiring harness so I had to add that. The bolts that hold it together aren't top quality but they are sufficient. I hook mine to my d-ring tabs that are bolted to the frame of the jeep. And this is total redneck but instead Of wiring them to my Jeep, I bought a cheap light kit and made a light bar that slides into my jeeps receiver and then I run the wires from the truck all the way to the back. The light bar is amde of wood which is why it's so redneck but it works and it's easy to hook and unhook Plus now if I ever use the towbar for another purpase I can strap the light bar down to another vehicle. I wanted mag mounts but they were $50 and I built the light bar for abotu $20. The tow bar works well and I'm glad I bought it but a trailer would be better.

[Bones]

mag mounts are the way to go. I used to use them when I flat-towed my old jeep, but now I use it on my parents boat trailer and utility trailer since the lights never work.

[yellowjeeperman]

Originally Posted by Bones

mag mounts are the way to go. I used to use them when I flat-towed my old jeep, but now I use it on my parents boat trailer and utility trailer since the lights never work.

Isn't there a way where I can actually wire the harness into the Jeep lights?

[GreaseMonkey]

Originally Posted by yellowjeeperman

Isn't there a way where I can actually wire the harness into the Jeep lights?

I was kind of curious about this too...

[sodapop]

yes and here is a pretty good write up on how to do it.
http://www.jedi.com/obiwan/jeep/flattow.html

The only thing I would avoid is his recommendations about the tranny/t-case gears. Manual says something like T-case neutral and the tranny in 1st - I check the manual to refresh my memory every time I tow. The story in his article talks about a guy who says his t-case jumped into gear but I bet it was never truely out of gear to begin with.

[GreaseMonkey]

That's an awesome write-up sodapop.

[yellowjeeperman]

Originally Posted by sodapop

The only thing I would avoid is his recommendations about the tranny/t-case gears. Manual says something like T-case neutral and the tranny in 1st - I check the manual to refresh my memory every time I tow. The story in his article talks about a guy who says his t-case jumped into gear but I bet it was never truely out of gear to begin with.

From 2002 TJ Owners Manual:
1.) Depress brake pedal.
2.) Shift automatic transmission into N (Neutral) or depress clutch pedal on manual transmission.
3.) Shift transfer case level into N (Neutral).
4.) Start engine.
5.) Shift automatic transmission into D (Drive) or manual transmission into gear.
6.) Release brake pedal and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
7.) Shut the engine off and place the ignition key into the unlocked OFF position.
8.) Shift automatic transmission into P (Park).
9.) Apply parking brake
10.) Attach vehicle to the tow vehicle with tow bar.
11.) Release parking brake.