I plan on using a tow bar to flat tow my 83 CJ7 but wanted some input on weather to us a bumper mount or a shackle mount. So can I get some real world pros and cons for each.

How far do you tow? And what will you tow with?

I use one of those RV type tow bars that folds up, I made mounts that weld to the front bumper but then I'm not using the stock bumper either. my bumper is 2x4x 3/16 rectanglar tubing and it is mounted really securely to the front frame rails. 2 1/2" grade 8 bolts on each frame rail. mounts are double shearat the frame rails.
I just use this for short local towing, If I need to go very far I just put the jeep on a trailer, i figure it's easier on the drive train this way and the traier tows much better than the jeep with the tow bar.

I've got the DrawTite brand on my CJ5. It came with mounts for the bumper, and that's where I attached them. From everything I've read, most towbar mfg don't recommend attaching to any suspension components.

Here's a hint: When you tow it (of course, don't lock the steering wheel!), take a couple bungee cords and attach them to the spokes of the steering wheel and to the seat brackets. They will help 'center' the front wheels.

My Jeep tows real nice behind my 2002 Blazer. Although, it towed even nicer behind my F150.

Mine attaches with Currie Tow shackles. There is no problem with that.

I wouldn't use bungee cords either. If your steering has sufficient self-centering, bungees are not needed.

My setup:

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=572049

BTW: This should be in the Tow Rigs and Trailers Section.

-Old Army

The bigger the tow rig the better! I am talking RV pulling Jeep. I flat towed a CJ behind my 00 Grand for a couple short local trips. There is no way I'd flat tow at x-way speeds unless I had a super sized tow rig (RV). I purchased a trailer just so I would never have to flat tow again. Your mileage may vary. :)

Nates4x4.com make a killer bumper for all makes of Jeeps. I know of a lot of people that use them to tow to other states with. When I ordered mine I didn't have him put that option on there as I haul my jeeps on a flat bed trailer. Here is a pic off of his site to give you a feel. The bumpers sell for 299 and are hands down the best built bumper I have ever put my hands on. Just a simple mans thinking
http://i161.photobucket.com/albums/t213/406yj/Nates4x41.jpg

Forgot to add. For 30$ (I believe) you get the hitch. You can see the rec. in the pic

I will be towing with an 06 F250 super cab diesel. And the rear will be loaded with about 500 lbs and have a fiberglas topper. I will only flat tow about 2 times a year and the average distance is about 1200 miles. I now have a 18" trailer I use. We travel for business and stay at job sites on the average of 6 months. Its a real pain to store the trailer when not in use so I thought flat towing would work. Thanks for the info.

that nate's bumper is nice but the reciever is NOT for flat towing.... it's for a recovery point or for hooking a trailer to the front for moving in close quarters
edit: nate's does sell a towbar.... it mounts to the (recovery) shackle hangers on their bumper and is $125 extra

edit: nate's does sell a towbar.... it mounts to the (recovery) shackle hangers on their bumper and is $125 extra

I stand corrected and for that I'm sorry. I have never bought the tow bar and was going off of memory as to the money amount. The 30 bucks may have been what he gets for the recever. Sorry for the bad info but I'm guessing now he will have the right info. Even at the 125 extra to have that killer bumper and the tow bar for 425. It's not a bad buy. IMHO No winch plate needed easy install and built to wheel. To each their own but thanks for correcting me. I don't want to give someone the wrong info.

Todd

I plan on using a tow bar to flat tow my 83 CJ7 but wanted some input on weather to us a bumper mount or a shackle mount. So can I get some real world pros and cons for each.

You'll be fine with a bumper mount tow bar. Eaz-Lift makes a very nice set-up that won't break the bank. They come with the bumper mounts that can be bolted or welded to the bumper. You can also get the safety chains with it as well. I think currently I've been selling them with chains for about $175. PM me if you are interested and I'll get you a firm price.

The shackle mounts that Currie sells are really nice as well. I used them on my old YJ about 8 or 9 years ago. The Eaz-Lift tow bar will fit those shackles. And the tow bar from Currie, surprise, it's an Eaz-Lift tow bar.

Since you have a 83 CJ-7, it probably has a Dana 300 in it, and you will need to stop every couple hundred miles and drive it around so that it can oil properly. There is a gear that you can buy and install that had fins on it that splash the oil onto the proper seals. Or, if you know which gear and how to do it, you can weld the fins on yourself.

Oh, and yes, this should be in Trailers and Tow section. But hell, that's ok, his questions have been answered by many people here. So it worked.