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Towbar progress+Flat tow wiring question

Discussion in 'Builds and Fabricators Forum' started by Hawk62cj5, Feb 9, 2007.

  1. Hawk62cj5

    Hawk62cj5 Captain of OldSchool

    Ive been planning a towbar build for a while , I had it all drawn out with 2" tubing with some niffty features added in. So this evening I get off work a hour early to go pick up a stick of 2" tubing a friend got for me. I get to his place and its a nice new piece of 3" tubing setting there :( . I asked for a full stick of 2" because I needed the whole thing for 3 diff projects.The 3" tubing was to big for 2 of the projects and not what I had planned on for the towbar. But I was stuck with it but it was "free" as a returned favor, my friend offered to take it back and get me a stick of 2" but I needed to build and test my towbar this weekend. So I took it over to nicks and drew out a new design , I have a push bar on my front bump I have to allow for. Well after a few hours me and nick got it together along with my new 1" thick D ring /towbar points for the front bumper.I have a couple crappy phone pics about halfway of the project.

    Now for the question . Im thinking about having my front parking lights wired in where they run to so I can see what the jeep is doing behind me in the dark. What do you think , good idea or give dan his pipe back?

    Nows heres the crappy phone pics , Ill be testing it out sat eve, BTW its a hair under 5 feet from pins to ball.
     
  2. jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    beefy
     
  3. Ducks-Bass-n-Jeeps

    Ducks-Bass-n-Jeeps A Parade of One

    It shouldn't ever break!

    It might give you a hernia wrestlin with it though.
     
  4. Chris Insull

    Chris Insull All roads lead me back to the beach... 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Jason, I don't think it's heavy duty enough!!R) Looks great... As for needing the lights, I've never had trouble seeing the JEEP in tow just using the tail lights off the pick-up or camper. But your idea will work as well!
     
  5. Hawk62cj5

    Hawk62cj5 Captain of OldSchool

    Accutally I can carry it with one hand from the side , it surprized me but Im a big boy at 238 pounds R) R) .

    I got somoe of that white /red refector tape that Im going to put on The strait pieces near the pins after she meets a can of OD paint this evening ;). My jeep is invisable from the sides (no side markers of any kind not even pretruding tail lights) so I figure The refector tape might help ppl know theres something behind my truck.

    ETA: Chris your post wasnt up when I started posting . Thanks , I was wondering about that but my side windows are tented and I have a camper shell with tinted glass so Im not sure if my tail lights will be bright enuff. With my boat I have to hit the brakes to check the make sure I strapped down the seats.
     
    Last edited: Feb 10, 2007
  6. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    Jason I doubt that the lights would do much good being towed behind a fullsize truck as the jeep is so narrow it would just barely show up.
    I ran the trailer light pigtail thru my frame and then just put bullet connectors on my tail lights so I could swap to them when I plug my trailer lights into my truck.
     
  7. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Hey Mike - they make these neat things called "switches"....R) R)
     
  8. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    I know, saving the switch to put in a new dashboard, don't feel like butchering the dash anymore than it already is. Besides I did the wiring in about 15 minutes before my last trip.;)
     
  9. Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Switches don't have to mount in the dash...
     
  10. Mcruff

    Mcruff Earlycj5 Machinist

    They do in my JEEP!
     
  11. mt_jeep

    mt_jeep New Member

    Must be a draw bar for a tank!!!
    I wired a flat 4 plug into the wiring going to the tail lights.
     
  12. mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Jason it looks like it will break like a twig the first time you hit it... with a wreckingball R)
     
  13. Hawk62cj5

    Hawk62cj5 Captain of OldSchool

    Ok got it on tonight sorry for the ugly pic.
     
  14. BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Only you Jason. :rofl:
     
  15. Hawk62cj5

    Hawk62cj5 Captain of OldSchool

    Well see if I ever get a M715 or a M37 it can be dual purpose
    R) R)
     
  16. mb82

    mb82 I feel great!

    Jason what is the overall length of your truck and Jeep while in flattow? It has to be HUGE.
     
  17. BlueFlu

    BlueFlu past owner of some ecj5's

    Looks like he could carry a small boat on the tow bar. R)
     
  18. NoFlyZone

    NoFlyZone Member

    That looks really nice. I'm sure the extra length should help with the towing manners on the highway.
     
  19. endless expense 45

    endless expense 45 Oldsmobile RTI Ramp!

    I've got to say my work is good:D.Have you pulled it yet?
     
  20. Hawk62cj5

    Hawk62cj5 Captain of OldSchool

    This mornnig when I was looking at it I got to thinking about mounting a tool box or jerry cans to it R) R)

    Yep nick we're dangerous at times R) R) I owe you a :beer: or 3 now .
    Havnt pulled it yet , I just got in from church and the cop is in town on main street , Im waiting for him to leave incase the jeep's steering doesnt agree with being pulled. Police normally dont like my creative driving R)


    ETA: Just got back from pulling around town it tows great. Only thing left to do is add some safty cables and ill be done.
     
    Last edited: Feb 11, 2007