DIY Tow Bar Install

[Lancer1993]

So looking at getting the below tow bar, not sure if its worth spending the extra $120 on them installing it.

https://www.towbarsaustralia.com.au/tow ... x-gt-sedan

I'm pretty good at this stuff but I don't want to do something wrong, we are talking about towing a trailer and if something goes wrong it could be dangerous. Also some cutting may be involved, along with removing the rear bumper.

Anyone bought one of the tow bars above or installed one them selves?

[Skrallex]

Has fitting instructions so I'm sure you could manage it

[bumblebee]

Just about any towbar you buy new comes with destructions. They all say they should be installed by a pro. And thats fair enough too. Dont want towbar to separate from vehicles and be overtaken by the trailers down the road. Could be an interesting day if that happens

[Lancer1993]

"Just about any towbar you buy new comes with destructions."

Hope you meant "instructions" LOL

I guess my number one concern is the bumper, getting it off and cutting it. In the past on my CC Coupe I had a tow bar (got it installed) it was before I was a handy as I am now. But later I had removed the actual bar to re spray it at least once, maybe twice. Pretty easy with just a few bolts, but that didn't require a bumper removal.

So to break down the cost, the above tow bar is $416, plus $19 delivery or $120 fitting. So really there is a $100 difference in the cost and a few hours waiting for the car. I did check others in the area (Sunshine coast) and the next cheapest was about $570, fitted at home. One wanted $440 for the kit plus about $500 to fit it, WTF!

I need to make a choice soon as the Pathfinder has been sold and will be picked up today, so we'll be without a tow car if we need the trailer.

[bumblebee]

No need to remove bumper and cut it
Do it on the vehicle
I did
Worked well
You can use a dremmel tool or similar. Or a hacksaw if you in a pinch
Easy peasy

Talk to
Aranda towbars
In south east qld

[aspir3]

Definitely don't need to remove the bumper.
I didn't cut my bumper bar for the tongue. I just fitted a spacer and used longer screws

[Lancer1993]

I read the bumper needs to come off to mount the bar?

I have a cutting tool, used it to trim some plastics before.

BTW why is it you can no longer get a genuine tow bar from Mitsubishi?
Called 2 local dealers and neither have a listing for the 09 CJ, what changed under the back over the years?

[bumblebee]

What changed at the back was the exhaust and how it was mounted hence the towbar change.

I can assure you i did not remove the rear bumper to fit the tow bar.
I dropped the rear exhaust hangers out.2 x rubber dudads that hold the exhaust to the car. They pop off with a screw driver..press them back on with vice grips or similar.
Once the exhaust is dropped down it will take two of you to lay under the car and hold the tow bar up. There is 4 bolts to drop in to the chassis. Do them finger tight diagonally. Then torque them up. Can't remember the remember the torque setting it was pretty high something like 200 foot pound or something crazy like that.
Then run the wiring and you all set.
Mine came with generic wiring kit that was a piece of cake to wire into. It has a small ECU box that takes the load off the stock wiring so it won't give the main car ecu any faults.
I didnt hesitate to cut the bumper to make it fit. Theres bugger all ground clearance there now. Scraped the tow bar on a few decent driveways as it is. No way would i be adding a spacer to lower the towbar for the sake of cutting it.
Cut the bumper and stick the towbar on and leave it there permanently. Thats what they are designed for in the first place

[aspir3]

I only required a 6mm spacer

[bumblebee]

Be interesting to see how insurance will stand up with the spacer on the tow bar considering it was never there from the manufacturer
I know what they are like they will find anything to get out of paying insurance

[Lancer1993]

I don't have a stock muffler, technically I don't have a muffler just a couple of resonators on my exhaust.
Hope that doesn't complicate to install?

[bumblebee]

The main thing is the exhaust is clear of the rear chassis rails the towbar bolts to. The Aranda towbar i bought came with destructions and was pretty straightforward to install.

[Lancer1993]

This is my exhaust system, with no muffler!


This is VERY tempting at $300 delivered, my only concern is its listed for the sedan and hatch, as we know there is a difference for my CJ.
https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/TAG-Standar ... 0033.m2042

[bumblebee]

Thats the one i have. Mine came with the generic wiring kit also.
Works a treat

Message them and give them your VIN they will double check if it will fit

[Lancer1993]

I'll do that.

'Generic' does that mean cutting wires?