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 > Wrangler 97--????

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ttempleton

huntsville,al

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Posted: 07/22/08 01:38pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I hear it is ok to hook the tow bar to the bumper of a Wrangler. Does anyone know if u can do that with 2002 Wrangler??


ttempleton

RicJones

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Posted: 07/22/08 01:56pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I'm not sure what you mean when you say "hook" a tow bar the bumper of a Wrangler. If you mean bolt, yes you can. It's not the strongest way but doable. If you use one of the cheap tow bars be sure to use a good backing plate because I've heard of the bolts pulling out of bumpers without one.

wilanddij

CA Desert

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Posted: 07/22/08 02:59pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Its not safe to hook directly up to a TJ (97-06) bumper without having some type of reinforcement built in. Here's some photos of one way to do it TJ Hook.


Will & Di
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Twomed

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Posted: 07/22/08 06:32pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

No...even 4"x4" square steel plates behind a bolt will eventualy pull thru. If you remove the bumper and put a piece of 3/8 steel behind it all the way across, then drill and mount, you will be good to go.


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mowermech

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Posted: 07/22/08 08:29pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I towed my '97 Wrangler SE several thousand miles with the towbar (Reese A-frame 5000 lb. capacity adjustable towbar, $145 at Walmart) brackets bolted to the stock front bumper, with nothing more than 3/16 inch thick steel backing plates behind the bumper. I think the plates were about 2" by 3". Before that, the same towbar was used on a '79 CJ5 with a 2003 Rubicon front bumper, again, several thousand miles, no problems.
To directly answer your question, based on personal experience, YES, you can, BUT you should have good tough reinforcing plates behind the bumper, 3/16 to 1/4 inch thick, and at least half again as big as the towbar brackets.
It worked for me, that's all I can tell you.


CM1, USN (RET)
'94 Dodge 3500 4X2 CTD, Std. cab, LB, 5 speed, 4.10 LS diff., Jacobs Rambrake, 273,000 Miles
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Daily driver: '06 Jeep Liberty CRD
Towed: '06 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited

patricks99

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Posted: 07/23/08 04:22pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Try this site
http://www.southwest4x4.com/image.aspx?storename=southwest4x4&ItemID=5399359

I bought similar brackets for my 95 YJ. easy to install and mount to the frame over and around the bumper. Just make sure you use loc-tite.

Pat

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