Wanderlodge Gurus - The Member Funded Wanderlodge Forum

Mike:

The Jeep is probably one of the easiest vehicles for an an install.
Two of the most popular toads, Honda CRV and the Suzuki Grand Vitara
(newer) , also require a lot of cutting.

Bruce
1988 FC35

Bruce,

Sounds like we'll be towing an identical vehicle to yours. Hoping the truck
won't be too
much load for our old coach. Curb weight figures I have for Tacoma (4100 lbs)
is an
increase of 400 lbs over the Wrangler Unlimited we were towing. The 84 FC is no
whiz
going up long grades, but am hoping she can handle it. Jeep was an ideal
vehicle for
towing and off-road, but not real good at anything else.

I set up two Jeeps for towing before doing this one and can testify to the fact
that the Jeep
install was much easier. Used the Sawzall to cut off the ends of the frame
member and
the tow hook to make room for the base plate. Base plate fit up in there easy
but there is
a gap between the two ears and the frame members. Haven't tightened everything
up yet.
May have to use a c-clamp as you did. Fishing nuts back into the frame through
a small
hole is a frustrating job. Gotta be a better way!

Thanks for your advice.

Eric in San Antonio
84FC35SBWL2

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
>
> Eric:
>
> We have a double cab SR5 4x4. Fabulous vehicle. However they are a
> litle heavy at 4300 lbs. The cable comes in on the hump right beside
> the driver. I find that if you connect the disconnect a few seconds
> after start up the idle has slowed down juts the right amount for a
> quick coupling. It takes a little practice. Remco used sheet metal
> screws to attach the cable to the floor. I would have attached the
> cable to the reinforced parts of the floor. I had to fix mine twice.
> Blue Ox recommends a reciprocating saw to cut the front crossmember. I
> had to grind mine afterwards and the brackets still would not fit. I
> did not have a torch to heat them up and could not bend them by hand.
> Finally used the "fork ears" on our 6 yard waste bin . Hooked one end
> of the bracket in the ear and bent it outward. Did the same for the
> other side. After clamping the bracket to the frame I used a huge c -
> clamp to draw the bracket tight to the frame. I figure Blue Ox was out
> by 3/8 of an inch!! Many Blue Ox installations require you to butcher
> the vehicle. The truck tows really well. Good Luck
>

OK, OK, Mike. All I can say is I handle a Sawzall much better than I do walk-in
barbeques.
I've counted my fingers twice since I did the frame cutting and I keep coming up
with 9-
3/4 so pretty sure I haven't lost any more than I had before.

Like I said in my response to Bruce, Jeep installation is a much simpler deal
and tow is
easier with a transfer case that has a neutral position. The Tacoma is a 4X4
also but
transfer case is electronically actuated with 2H, 4H, 4L only, so you have to
install a drive
shaft disconnect to keep from overheating the tranny on the road. In many
respects the
Jeep is a better tow choice but I wanted the versatility of a double cab pickup
and decided
to make the change.

I work slow two and have about 4-5 hours in the job so far, but have saved the
$1,000
Ancira RV wanted to do the job. Plus, I'll know that the bolts are torqued
right, etc.

I'll give you a call if I get stumped. I think the Remco driveshaft could be
interesting.

Eric in San Antonio
84FC35SBWL2

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "mbulriss" <mbulriss@...> wrote:
>
> > Blue Ox recommends a reciprocating saw to cut the front crossmember.
>
> Wow, cutting crossmembers with a reciprocating saw?! I'm sure the
> Lone Star Bird members are frightened at the idea of Eric and
> reciprocating saw in the same sentence! ;^) Yo, Eric, remember the
> bbq grill...... <>
>
> In all seriousness, the sound of this install sure makes me glad I
> bought Jeep(s). The Blue Ox install on those do not require
> implements of destruction and are simple bolt together operations that
> took maybe an hour at my pokey pace.
>
> Eric, holler if you need help grinding and cutting.
>
> Mike Bulriss
> 1991 WB40 "Texas Minivan"
> San Antonio, TX
>
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
> wrote:
> >
> > Eric:
> >
> > We have a double cab SR5 4x4. Fabulous vehicle. However they are a
> > litle heavy at 4300 lbs. The cable comes in on the hump right beside
> > the driver. I find that if you connect the disconnect a few seconds
> > after start up the idle has slowed down juts the right amount for a
> > quick coupling. It takes a little practice. Remco used sheet metal
> > screws to attach the cable to the floor. I would have attached the
> > cable to the reinforced parts of the floor. I had to fix mine twice.
> > Blue Ox recommends a reciprocating saw to cut the front crossmember. I
> > had to grind mine afterwards and the brackets still would not fit. I
> > did not have a torch to heat them up and could not bend them by hand.
> > Finally used the "fork ears" on our 6 yard waste bin . Hooked one end
> > of the bracket in the ear and bent it outward. Did the same for the
> > other side. After clamping the bracket to the frame I used a huge c -
> > clamp to draw the bracket tight to the frame. I figure Blue Ox was out
> > by 3/8 of an inch!! Many Blue Ox installations require you to butcher
> > the vehicle. The truck tows really well. Good Luck
> >
>