Blue Ox Towing Setup...Grill...

[Tsar72]

I am looking to setup a Blue Ox base plate. Would someone post a close-up picture of their grill??? Therefore, I might have a template of how it should be cut.

Also, any tips on where the wire harness should be run for the tail lights?

Thanks in advance...

[ManchVegas]

I can't help you out with grill pictures for Blue Ox (I use Roadmaster), but I can help you out with the tail light kit.

The little silver tongue below the license plate frame (under the "t" in Portland) is the socket for my tail lights (these pics are in my Garage):


See the black bracket (to the right of the 4 diodes) in this next pic? Regardless of what brand of tail light kit that you buy, if you install the socket in the grill you need to put a bracket on the inside of the grill behind the socket - to anchor the socket. Otherwise, plugging and unplugging the socket will weaken the plastic around it. Spare brackets can be ordered from Roadmaster - because I ordered one. It cost about $14 USD (that includes shipping). If you're good with metal fab, you can make one yourself.



Camping World removed the skid plates and then ran (strung) my tail light wiring right across the bottom of the car and it comes up through the floor behind the passenger seat and into the right-rear quarter panel - with the rest of the car's wiring.

Here's the trick: DO NOT run the tail light wires from the right quarter panel through the engine bay to the left quarter panel. Camping World did that and it cooked the wires. Run the wires INSIDE the car from the right quarter panel to behind the weatherstripping at the bottom of the tailgate then over to the left quarter panel. The wires won't get hot enough to melt and they're tucked out of the way, out of sight.

In this pic you can see the socket screwed to the bracket in the lower grill (it is below the license plate). You'll also see a length of flex tubing used to cover the wiring for about 2 to 3 feet - to protect it from exposure, untl it's well protected within the skid plate.

[Libero]

Originally Posted by Tsar72

I am looking to setup a Blue Ox base plate. Would someone post a close-up picture of their grill??? Therefore, I might have a template of how it should be cut.

Also, any tips on where the wire harness should be run for the tail lights?

Thanks in advance...

I recently installed my Blueox Baseplate and was supported by a Smart Car Trained Mechanic. He was a valuable resource. He put the car on his hoist and quickly removed the under panels , the right rear wheel and turned back the right rear wheel well cover. The light wires were run under the car, inside a plastic flexible conduit for the entire vehicle length. It was brought up in front of the Rad with a half moon cut in the plastic housing in front of the rad to keep the conduit away from the Rad. Behind the rear wheel well there is a place to run the cable through a rubber grommet right up to the wire harness area behind the right tail light assembly. The Yellow and brown wires (Tail and Signal/Brakelight wires respectivly) were run just under the carpet in a channel at the rear and secured in place with duct tape. It was slick and professional. (Not run in the engine compartment.)

I put a 4pin round receptical on the front and made my own Plate to secure the connector to the built in light connector posts. I just liked this manufactured arrangement better than the two little adapter brackets provided by BlueOX for a 4 pin plug. See the attached picture of the grill. Hope this helps. ALso see my Gearshift and Key plate I made for locking the gearshift in neutral and key in proper towing position "under battery switch towing" (Water droplets were on plate when picture was taken - should have dried off.)
http://707641515082516

[miltony]

This setup is not for the faint of heart. Without cooperation between Blue Ox tech support and your dealership lead mechanic, it will not happen, requiring nearly total front end disassembly. The driver side is mirror image. Blue Ox is super helpful. Great folks to work with.

BUT.....it is the tidiest, cleanest setup around. When not towed, the appearance of the Fortwo / Blue Ox combo is almost invisible. When towing, rock solid.

Originally Posted by Tsar72

I am looking to setup a Blue Ox base plate. Would someone post a close-up picture of their grill??? Therefore, I might have a template of how it should be cut.

Also, any tips on where the wire harness should be run for the tail lights?

Thanks in advance...