Help fitting JK Towbar please

[Baldrick]

Hi all

It was all supposed to be so easy....

I'm sure the instructions are written in English...but I haven't got a clue, well much of a clue, what they are saying. The diagram doesn't help too much either.

I can get the brackets fitted to the chassis rail and then join the cross member...however this then is pushed up hard against the body work...so close I've managed to scratch the paintwork .

It then tells me "Drill 2 off holes through the centre angle A into the rear chassis cross member and fix with two bolts F." Does this mean that I have to drill two holes into the bodywork below the engine hatch? I guess it does but that seems scary.

Thanks for any help...

 

[creationblue]

Hi all

It was all supposed to be so easy....

I'm sure the instructions are written in English...but I haven't got a clue, well much of a clue, what they are saying. The diagram doesn't help too much either.

I can get the brackets fitted to the chassis rail and then join the cross member...however this then is pushed up hard against the body work...so close I've managed to scratch the paintwork .

It then tells me "Drill 2 off holes through the centre angle A into the rear chassis cross member and fix with two bolts F." Does this mean that I have to drill two holes into the bodywork below the engine hatch? I guess it does but that seems scary.

Thanks for any help...

Hi
Not being funny here but package it back up and send it back, thats exactly what i did. They are good in that they will take it back, then get either an OG Westy one (if you can find one) or see the advert in the for sale section and get a Repro Westy item, easy to fit and look great.

Heres mine

Just

 

[Baldrick]

Hi
Not being funny here but package it back up and send it back, thats exactly what i did. They are good in that they will take it back, then get either an OG Westy one (if you can find one) or see the advert in the for sale section and get a Repro Westy item, easy to fit and look great.

It's not so easy as I have a crossover and so there are not too many options. . I also need to get one fitted now really and so I can't really wait too long.

Just another question...The instructions give torque wrench settings for the bolts...Is it enough to just make them as tight as I can?

Edited:
Sorry, another question. Is the panel below the engine bay "weight bearing"? As I'll only be carrying bikes I might not bother with these bolts which wil save me the bother of drilling.

 

[matt-me]

Sorry to jump your thread baldrick but :

Creation, is that one of Gadgets towbars? What exhaust are you running, stock or merged header and did you have to take the exhaust and valence off to fit the towbar?

I have one and am going to be finally fitting it soon so a little advance advice might save a bit of head scratching/time.

Thanks

Al

 

[creationblue]

Hi
Not being funny here but package it back up and send it back, thats exactly what i did. They are good in that they will take it back, then get either an OG Westy one (if you can find one) or see the advert in the for sale section and get a Repro Westy item, easy to fit and look great.

It's not so easy as I have a crossover and so there are not too many options. . I also need to get one fitted now really and so I can't really wait too long.

Just another question...The instructions give torque wrench settings for the bolts...Is it enough to just make them as tight as I can?

Edited:
Sorry, another question. Is the panel below the engine bay "weight bearing"? As I'll only be carrying bikes I might not bother with these bolts which wil save me the bother of drilling.

If you dont have access to a torque wrench just tighten them up real tite then tap the spanner with a hammer just to nip them up. I wouldnt recoment that method with something a delicate as an engine build but should be ok for keepin the towbar on :lol:

If your refering to the bar that holds up the engine then yes thats structual, and if your only gonna be carrying bikes on your towbar why not get on of these http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fiamma-Trigano-Carry-Bike-Rack/dp/B0013DYZ3Q/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1274302421&sr=8-1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;, just an idea.

Just

 

[creationblue]

Sorry to jump your thread baldrick but :

Creation, is that one of Gadgets towbars? What exhaust are you running, stock or merged header and did you have to take the exhaust and valence off to fit the towbar?

I have one and am going to be finally fitting it soon so a little advance advice might save a bit of head scratching/time.

Thanks

Al

Hi Al, the towbar is a genuine Westy dated '71. The exhaust is a custom Turbo Thomas unit with J-bars.

I fitted the towbar when the OG exhaust was on, just removed the bumper and irons and the towbar will have the irons built in, and the rear valance, all fits together nice n easy 8)

Just

 

[Baldrick]

Hi creationblue

Thanks for your comments. I've now fitted it . It seems solid enough. I didn't drill the body work in the end, it seems strong enough with the mounting points on the chassis rail.

Thanks again

 

[matt-me]

Thanks Just for the great photos, i have a single bugpack exhaust so slightly different but hopefully mine will fit as well as yours.

Al

 

[robjarman]

hi Baldrick - I have crossover and had same problem and decided not to bolt into the rear valance panel like you - I also had to space out the bumper between the irons and the bumper to clear the bar - also the nearside towbar hanger upright piece drilled holes would not quite line up with the threaded bolt holes in the chassis so had to 'adjust' there too - otherwise it seems like an OK towbar for a bike mount!!
cheers
Rob