How to set up a rigidco FBG for towbar use?

[srmitchell]

i have a standard Rigid fbg bumper, with all the beefy bracketry.

I bought a tow bar a while back, and I'd like to know how I can match up the tow bar to the shackle mounts. They are for sure beefy enough, but Im just not sure how I can set it up. I do NOT want to drill and mount the tow bar mounts on the face of the bumper. I want it to hook up right where the shackles are.

The pics show that the bar's coupler is in the wrong orientation. What can I fab to make this work? And yes, I'd have to find a way to set up safety chains separately. Thanks!

 

[DansGreyMj]

What i would do is adjust the tow bar a little wider, put a plate on each side of the d-ring tabs run a bolt thru those so its double shear and then attach it to the tow bar. Hope that makes sense.

 

[srmitchell]

Oh, ok, so maybe some 3/16th's plate on each side, and have it sandwich the bumper mount, and a 3/4's bolt through it? Good idea.

 

[DansGreyMj]

Oh, ok, so maybe some 3/16th's plate on each side, and have it sandwich the bumper mount, and a 3/4's bolt through it? Good idea.

Exactly!

 

[Xtreme XJ]

I did basicly the same thing... I use a BIG hitch pin...
If you haven't set it up yet...
For yours I'd probably loose the ends that are bolted on & build out from there... maybe a piece of 3/16th. square tubing that can slide over the towbar... where it clear the end of the bar pie cut it & bend it to where it lines up with the bumper D-ring mounts weld back up... cut/notch the top & bottom of the square tube so it slides over the D-ring mount on either side... drill holes for the hitch pin(get ones long enough for the chain or cable to slide over also... make loops in cables) and pin it on... easy on & off.
Mine is similar...
Curt

 

[Jed]

Kinda of interested in using a tow bar like this myself, I would have the same problem. Did you get it modified?

 

[srmitchell]

That sounds great.

I like the hitch pin idea, with the chains.

Haven't modified it yet.

 

[XJumpmaster]

I had Terry move some things around inside and then bolted CJ mounts to the face. They stick out as far as the fairlead but haven't snagged them on anything yet. I know that you don't want to do that but I don't trust those cheap towbars and am towing with a ReadyBrute and break assist system behind my RV.

 

[srmitchell]

I've already decided to re-build it.

-Thicker bars.
-Double shear bolts on the actual hitch mount
-Grade 8 everywhere

 

[DansGreyMj]

Post up pics when you are done. I have been thinking of getting an A-frame coupler and making a "heavier duty " to bar.

 

[srmitchell]

It will be a while. No welder right now.

 

[knucklehead 61]

i am using a blue ox aveneta 2 10k lb tow bar on mine.
i machined up a pair of bushings to slide inside the shackle holes on my bumper to get them down to 1/2" i.d. for the tow bar pins to run through, & made them the width of the i.d. of the ends of the towbar. very clean & simple way to do it.
i still need to figure a good place to mount the safety cables to, perhaps under the bumper to the frame...

 

[srmitchell]

I called warrior products today. They have what I need.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/92012_150X_PG.htm