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Old 05-11-2018, 11:25 AM   #1
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Jeep Off Road Bumper Towing Issue

Getting the Jeep ready to tow behind the MH. I've got a Smittybilt Carbine bumper and a Ready Brute Elite tow bar. To connect the two, I've got Warrior D ring adapters. They look like this:



So the clevis pin is much smaller than the hole in the bumper's D ring. There's a lot of slop in there. It will make noise, for sure, but do I need to address that slop. It's probably 3/16's or so. I can source a bushing or return these adapter with pin that are closer the 1 inch holes, though there will still be play in the connection.

What do those of you with Jeeps and off road bumpers do?
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Old 05-11-2018, 11:31 AM   #2
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I would say absolutely! The slop will cause extra stress on the pins and the shackles and eventually probably damage one or the other.
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Old 05-11-2018, 11:34 AM   #3
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That's what I'm thinking. Just wanted to see what other's are doing. I can't be the only guy with this issue.
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Old 05-11-2018, 11:36 AM   #4
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I still have to buy my shackles...bumper will arrive next week to install...guess we will see how it plays out.
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Old 05-11-2018, 11:50 AM   #5
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I use the Roadmaster bar ends, here is a link to them, they are available in two different pin sizes.
Roadmaster 035-1 Off-Road Bumper Adaptor
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Old 05-11-2018, 07:19 PM   #6
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I was able to find some steel bushing that will work perfectly. Found them at True Value. They had bronze too but not the right length. I'll keep an eye out since bronze will probably be better in the long run.
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Old 05-12-2018, 09:55 AM   #7
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Actually in your application I think the steel bushing is better. Bronze is a bit soft and if there is much play at all, it could cause the bushing to deform over time. There is little relative rotation in the bushings, steel should hold up well. put a little dab of grease in there if you are concerned.
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Old 05-12-2018, 11:25 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by manwithtools View Post
Actually in your application I think the steel bushing is better. Bronze is a bit soft and if there is much play at all, it could cause the bushing to deform over time. There is little relative rotation in the bushings, steel should hold up well. put a little dab of grease in there if you are concerned.
I agree and would do the same.
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Old 05-12-2018, 04:00 PM   #9
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I have both so if the bronze begins to deform, I can put the steel in there.
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Old 05-12-2018, 04:31 PM   #10
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I am in the process of addressing a similar issue. Installing a Tomken shorty off road bumper on a '17 Rubie JK, with Tomken welded on "baseplates" to match my Blue Ox tow system.
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Old 05-12-2018, 04:46 PM   #11
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Need to get rid of the slop. I had similar brackets at one time - needed a bit of modification to work well. Took them to a machine / welding shop and in a few minutes they were perfect.
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Old 05-12-2018, 07:18 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan McMartin View Post
Getting the Jeep ready to tow behind the MH. I've got a Smittybilt Carbine bumper and a Ready Brute Elite tow bar. To connect the two, I've got Warrior D ring adapters. They look like this:



So the clevis pin is much smaller than the hole in the bumper's D ring. There's a lot of slop in there. It will make noise, for sure, but do I need to address that slop. It's probably 3/16's or so. I can source a bushing or return these adapter with pin that are closer the 1 inch holes, though there will still be play in the connection.

What do those of you with Jeeps and off road bumpers do?
Hey Dan,
Well, you've been given advice on your approach to this situation. Yep, get rid off ALL slop in those connections. The adapters for ANY tow bar brand, should be already designed and setup for the correct fitment of both the D-ring tabs and, the tow bar ends. But, apparently yours weren't. So, you'll figure out how to remedy this and make it safe at the same time. But, I will add something here. In your picture, you're showing the pins that are shipped with the adapters. Well, I got the same kind of pins when I purchased my adapters for my Blue Ox tow bar to our Smittybilt bumper.

Those pins, while certainly are the correct diameter for appropriate sized holes, are one pain in the a$$ to get out, when disconnecting from the Jeep at the end of a days drive. So, I show you below, what I purchased at Tractor supply. They are D-handle pins that make the insertion and retraction of those pins considerably easier than the ones shipped with the adapters. And yes, they're rated for the job. I've been using this type of D-handle pins for quite a while and they work flawless. Just some info for ya.
Scott
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Old 05-12-2018, 08:35 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FIRE UP View Post
Hey Dan,
Well, you've been given advice on your approach to this situation. Yep, get rid off ALL slop in those connections. The adapters for ANY tow bar brand, should be already designed and setup for the correct fitment of both the D-ring tabs and, the tow bar ends. But, apparently yours weren't. So, you'll figure out how to remedy this and make it safe at the same time. But, I will add something here. In your picture, you're showing the pins that are shipped with the adapters. Well, I got the same kind of pins when I purchased my adapters for my Blue Ox tow bar to our Smittybilt bumper.

Those pins, while certainly are the correct diameter for appropriate sized holes, are one pain in the a$$ to get out, when disconnecting from the Jeep at the end of a days drive. So, I show you below, what I purchased at Tractor supply. They are D-handle pins that make the insertion and retraction of those pins considerably easier than the ones shipped with the adapters. And yes, they're rated for the job. I've been using this type of D-handle pins for quite a while and they work flawless. Just some info for ya.
Scott
Great idea!
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Old 05-13-2018, 08:05 AM   #14
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And carry a spare set of pins just in case one disappears.

Be ready to add a rear track bar. You’ve got a big tail wagging that dog.
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