Posted this in the towing forum, but I thought I would post here too.
I am purchasing a used Eagle that already has a tow bar on it. I got quoted 1100 to get my 2000 wrangler set up for being a toad with plates and wiring. Is this too much or does this sound about right?
That sounds about right for a TJ with parts and labor, but I'd suggest that if you're handy at all try doing it yourself. I've set up two TJs (a '99 Sport and an '04 Rubicon), and they were both very easy to do. The baseplate (Blue Ox) is a $350 item, and 5 years ago I bought a wireless light kit and have never looked back. That was $80, and I'll never have to run wires and seperate bulbs again.
Living full-time in the San Francisco Bay Area
Camper: 2004 Damon Daybreak 3285 WorkHorse 8.1 Toad: 2010 Mini Cooper Clubman S - BlueOx Toy: 2012 Ninja 650 - Versa Haul VH-SPORT-RO
$1100?? There must be a LOT of labor in there!
Does that include a braking system? Perhaps then it would be better.
To set my '06 Rubicon up:
Towbar; $145 (actually, I already had it, but that's what I paid for it originally)
Magnetic light kit from Harbor Freight; $20
Miscellaneous wire and fittings; about $5.
Labor; (mine) about 2 hours, maybe three. I'm slow these days.
I guess my point is, you can spend as much or as little as you want. Shop around, and do it yourself if you can. That alone can save a pile of money!
CM1, USN (RET)
2002 Fleetwood Southwind 32V, Ford V10
Toad: 2006 Jeep Rubicon LJ
Other toad: '06 PT Cruiser, Kar Kaddy dolly
Toy: 1977 Dodge W100 CC SWB, 3/4 ton axles & springs
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"
$1100 for JUST the wiring?? Good grief, if you weren't so far away, I would do the wiring for $500 and still make out like a bandit!
Go to NSA (Night Shift Auto) and look at the ReadyBrute integrated towbar/brake assembly or the ReadyBrake braking unit that works with ANY towbar. Then, do the wiring yourself, if at all possible. It really isn't that difficult!
From the prices you have quoted, it might save you quite a bit of money, AND the ReadyBrute systems apparently have an extremely low failure rate!
THanks for the replies. I am pretty handy, so I might try it myself. I was on the road master website looking ar wat is needed. It seems like there are several plates that fit a 2000tj with various bumpers. Does anyone know what the stock bumper is called?
Robert78121 wrote: That sounds about right for a TJ with parts and labor, but I'd suggest that if you're handy at all try doing it yourself. I've set up two TJs (a '99 Sport and an '04 Rubicon), and they were both very easy to do. The baseplate (Blue Ox) is a $350 item, and 5 years ago I bought a wireless light kit and have never looked back. That was $80, and I'll never have to run wires and seperate bulbs again.
Where did you buy a wireless light kit?
SRT
2000 32' HR Vacationer with Banks
1998 Subaru Outback Ltd. 5 spd
Brake Buddy & Blue Ox Aventa II tow bar
FMCA #266040 HRRVC #84109
Robert78121 wrote: That sounds about right for a TJ with parts and labor, but I'd suggest that if you're handy at all try doing it yourself. I've set up two TJs (a '99 Sport and an '04 Rubicon), and they were both very easy to do. The baseplate (Blue Ox) is a $350 item, and 5 years ago I bought a wireless light kit and have never looked back. That was $80, and I'll never have to run wires and seperate bulbs again.
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