Jake21 wrote: 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?
I'd recommend the 1424-1 base plates for your 2000 TJ. The roadmaster site shows 3 kits that would work - 1424-1, 1417-1, & 1420-1. The 1424 & the 1420 are similar in that they hang down below the bumper, which works with most factory and aftermarket bumpers. The 1417 mounts differently, and is more specific the the factory bumper.
The 1420 & the 1424 are very similar, but the 1424 is a little beefier, and what is recommended for the Unlimited TJs (aka LJs) because they're heavier. That's what I have, and they work very well.
2003 Country Coach Intrigue, Cummins ISL 400
Toad: 2006 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited (LJ) toad, with just a few mods...
Other rig: 2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 Duramax Dually / Next Level 38CK Fifth-wheel Toy Hauler w/ quads, sand rail, etc...
"The 1424 & the 1420 are similar in that they hang down below the bumper, which works with most factory and aftermarket bumpers..."
Hangs below the bumpers? In that case, I wouldn't want them. I want as little as possible hanging below the bumper where rocks can hit it when off-roading.
That's one reason I like the attaching brackets that go with my fixed arm adjustable width inexpensive "inconvenient" Reese towbar: They bolt to the face of the bumper, where they work very nicely as a tow strap attach point when I get stuck (that has happened twice). They have been, over the years, on many different bumpers; stock OEM, custom bumpers made from stock OEM ones, and aftermarket one. No troubles on any of them.
It works for me.
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!"
Jake21 wrote: Another question. Do tow bars go bad? The one on the Eagle is probably ten years old. Should I get an new on and just start fresh?
Tow bars don't go bad any more than trailer hitches, frames or other steel parts. I would say that as long as it's not bent, cracked or rusty it's good to go.
1998 Gulfstream Ultra B/H Ford E450 V10
2005 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 w/ Maxidump insert
2006 Ford Escape Hybrid
1998 Saturn SL2 toad
2012 VW Jetta S
mowermech wrote: Hangs below the bumpers? In that case, I wouldn't want them. I want as little as possible hanging below the bumper where rocks can hit it when off-roading.
I initially had similar concerns, but in reality its not an issue. I've done a lot of rock crawling in my Jeep, off roading in just about every terrain you can think of, and I'm not shy about where I take it - a lot of trails that most people would never consider taking their 4x4 on. And in all that time, the base plates have never been as issue.
I even had the driver-side base plate integrated into my steering box skid plate. I'll try to dig up some pictures of it.
mowermech wrote: That's one reason I like the attaching brackets that go with my fixed arm adjustable width inexpensive "inconvenient" Reese towbar: They bolt to the face of the bumper, where they work very nicely as a tow strap attach point when I get stuck (that has happened twice). They have been, over the years, on many different bumpers; stock OEM, custom bumpers made from stock OEM ones, and aftermarket one. No troubles on any of them.
It works for me.
Before my LJ, I had a CJ that I towed with a tow bar like yours - bolted to the face of the bumper. We never had a problem with it, but I do like the base plates I have now better - they're solid and bolted directly to the frame, which gives me more peace-of-mind that bolting to the bumper.
**Edit: fixed a typo - it was bugging me.
* This post was
edited 05/01/12 12:35am by MPond *
"...they're solid and bolted directly to the frame, which gives me more peace-of-mind that bolting to the bumper."
My present bumper is usually built with two shackle attaching points built in where my towbar attaching points are. I deliberately ordered the bumper WITHOUT the shackle attach points, so I could put the towbar brackets there. I really don't worry about the bumper separating from the frame horns, just like I don't worry about the winch ripping the frame horns off the Jeep.
But, hey, if what you have makes you happy, GOOD DEAL!
I am very happy with what I have.
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