[T3] Axle Beam Tow Bar/Base Plate (was BBQ Plans)

[Bobsnotch at aol.com]

In a message dated 5/12/2012 11:02:52 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time,  
gbforsmo at gmail.com writes:

This  thread was started for the Invasion BBQ, but I was reluctant to
change the  subject line.

The subject has "morphed" to the Axle Beam Tow Bar/Base  Plate.

Bob --
Actually, Blue Ox wanted nothing to do with this  project.  Other than
to sell me the 4 Base Plate Connector "tabs" and  a length of steel bar
that they use to space the connectors tabs the  correct distance apart.

With the help of Jim A. and a friend who has a  well-equipped garage in
the Madison area, we designed/engineered/fabricated  the base plate
.... kinda "on the fly".

We built 2 (what I call)  "saddles" that fit over the top axle beam
seam.  The 1/2'  "U"  bolts rest on/in these saddles and that hardware
does not interfere with  the steering box or pitman arm on the drivers
side; or the fuel pump,  hoses, filter, etc. on the passengers side.

But Jim did remove the fuel  pump mounting plate for easier
installation of the saddle and "U"  bolt.  I may alter that plate to
accommodate a more secure mount for  the fuel pump.  We're not quite at
that point yet.

But today we  finished "tack welding" the steel (all 19 pieces, so
far), lowering the car  onto the wheels and attaching the tow bar.

With everything connected  (base plate to axle beam, axle beam to tow
bar, tow bar to (simulated)  motor home, it all looks & fits great.

By connecting everything I  could see how much of a drop hitch we need
to buy, to keep the tow bar arms  (relatively) parallel to the ground
when towing.

Next thing: finish  welding, hook up the Square and take it for a test  
drive.





Sounds like you've got the right people working on it then. : )  All I  was 
trying to do, was point out that the steering box side opening gets crowded 
 on the car. I thought you were building this off a "bare" beam, which has  
nothing in that opening to reference how much space is actually lost. Since 
 you're building it on the car (with everything in place), you know exactly 
how  much room you have to play with. I look forward to seeing the end 
result at the  Invasion, or even at the Invasion BBQ.  

Bob 65 Notch  S with sunroof and IRS (Krusty)
64 T-34 Ghia  (Wolfie)
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