Fitting an original devon tow bar

[Baldrick]

Hey...I'm starting to get technical!! Well for me any way!

I've got an original devon '72 tow bar from Twiggy (thanks again!) and I have a couple of questions.

What size bolts do I need to attach each end of the tow bar to the chassis rail.

The holes in the chassis rail have got nearly 40 years of gunk in them!! Should I just get a small wire brush to clean them out or is there a better option?

Thanks

 

[matt-me]

M10 bolts are needed to bolt to the chassis, the same size as those which hold the bumper brackets on underneath. I had the same **** in the holes but my mate managed to re-tap them relatively easily although he knows what he is doing and has a tap set, unlike me. All is ready to go for my towbar after a little bit of fiddling.

 

[hogseye]

what does a devon tow bar look like? i had a tow bar on mine but it was a right monstrosity, dont know if it was a devon one or not

 

[Baldrick]

what does a devon tow bar look like? i had a tow bar on mine but it was a right monstrosity, dont know if it was a devon one or not

It's at the welders at the moment as a small part of it has suffered over the years. (A remarkably small part considering its age.) I'll post a picture when its back.

 

[hogseye]

back yet?

 

[Baldrick]

The welder did a reasonable job, but the holes now don't line up . I tried some gentle "pursuasion" to make it fit, but it was never going to happen. Someone with metal working skills might be able to do something with it, but that is way beyond me.

I had to go with a JK towbar, which actually fitted really easily.

If someone wants to try their luck with the tow bar then let me know.