Bumper and flat tow ?s

Before any one else tells me to i have already searched the forum for "flattow" and read every single thread....

1st ?; Does it matter how wide the tow bar is mounted to the bumper? i understand that right at the frame rails is best but i am not sure i can do that right now....

2nd ?; Will a OEM or after market style bumper bolt up to a 71 CJ5? I mean i can do some drilling but i dont have access to a welder around here yet....

Thanks!!!!

 

IIRC Boyink had a sweet set up where he had a custom pair of front shackles, and they had an extra point to attach the tow bar to

 

A good welder should be able to make a set of replacement shackels for the front springs for a draw bar to attach to.

Curt has a tow bar and pieces in the 4WD Hardware cataloge.

I pulled my '47 CJ2A to NM from OK with a tow bar I made in high school ag shop. "Where did all the flat finders go."
Of all the flat toeing I have done over the years I only had one flat and one u joint come apart.
I have a trailer for Eeyore the 64CJ5 to ride on now. We have taken Eeyore to Jamborees in five western states. We never had a problem with the trailer. The trailer has brakes a flat towed Jeep does not. Also the trailer is useful through out the year for all manner of hauling. Lumber, fire wood, sand and other Jeepers broken Jeeps.

Since 1964 I have owned 1 MB, 1 CJ2A, 5 CJ5, 1 CJ7, 1 J 20 and 1 TJ

 

whats the current theory on angles of the tow bar from the towed rig to the tow vehicle?

I have always thought a flat angle was best, but then heard/saw/read that a downward angle would help apply 'momentum applied' weight to the rear of the tow rig, aiding in braking. Thats the way mine is set up now, alebi pretty slightly. Any thoughts on that?

 

Back to the original questions

1) Beyond a certain width, the width of the towbar does not matter. The towbar is a triangle and the geometry is rigid (except for up and down) - it must be to make the Jeep track properly behind the car. I used a bolt-on towbar with my Jeeps that attached just inside the frame rails, and was plenty rigid.

2) Regarding the OEM bumpers bolting up to a '71, sure. They are all the same from '55 through '75. The later CJ bumpers probably fit too. Prior to 1972, the bumper was riveted on, and after that it bolted on, but they are the same bumper.

Just want to make sure we're clear - there are OEM bumpers (all the same), aftermarket factory style ( a copy of the OEM style) and the fancified aftermarket bumpers with winch mount's light mounts, bull bars, etc. The question above was whether the aftermarket factory style bumpers are as thick as the OEM bumpers - can't comment on that, but a towbar will bolt up to either of them. JMO - the OEM style bumpers, aftermarket or original, have been used for decades with many different towbars, and I have not heard of any failures due to weakness of the bumper.

 

The factory bumper on a cj was 11 gage steel. Which is .120" thick, roughly 1/8" thick. i fabricated a set of knee knocker mounts as Boyink refers to them. Bolted them to the front bumper straddling the frame rails and use a Reese 5000lb tow bar, Mine mounts roughly flat but actually has about 1" of rise from the hitch back to the jeep bumper, it tows fine. I found that the more angle you had the more racket the tow bar makes on the ball when turning corners.

 

Thanks for all the answers..... my current OEM bumper is bent on the passenger side.... i tried to heat it last night and then drive my durango on it to flatten it back out.... NO WORKY!!! I like the flat looks of the OEm or slightly modified bumper so i will stick with one of those....

So what i am understanding about the placement is this.... over the frame rails is best....
outside is next best and just inside is a close third.... I got the 5k tow bar and the mounts came with it.... i do not plan on leaving the bar on there all the time but the mounts will stay....

Thanks you guys are the best

 

I tried to get mine as flat as posible, but with a smaller pickup I couldn't do this. Even with a drop receiver hitch. So after I flat towed it a while I found it helps when I brake. I had to stop quick once and I didn't even activate the ABS. Here is my set up. Egnor the dirty truck.


http://groups.msn.com/ScottMilliner/towbar.msnw?albumlist=2