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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Tow Bar Bracket

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 06:26 PM

Got my tow bar bracket a couple weeks ago from David Lee.
You can find the thread in the resources section about purchasing one.
They are very sturdy and bolt right into the existing reinforced mounting area for the front of the A arms/torsion bars.
A very nice piece of equipment right from one of our very own.
Doesn't take very long to install.

The following are a few pics I took during intallation.

The first pic is what you see when you first look under the front of your teener and begin the install. You will see the 2 normal 17mm bolts and inside the protector cup for the front of the torsion bar tube is an 8mm allen. Up inside the little slot on the front of the cup.

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Posted by: blitZ Mar 20 2006, 06:38 PM

Don't leave us waiting in anticipation like that!

I actually have one also, but haven't installed it yet. Looks like you have to remove the protective cup to install?

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 06:58 PM

Sorry about the delay couldn't get back on the site for a few minutes

Anyway, the next shot shows the cup removed and the two 17mm bolts removed. Here is what it looks like before you start the actual install.
remember that there is an 8mm allen inside the protector cup that must be removed to expose all three mounting holes

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Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 06:59 PM

next shot shows the bar in place and hardware in for loose fit.

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Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 07:01 PM

and another

As you can see from this photo, I mounted the bar under the torsion bar not above (between the chassis and the torsion bar). This would change the suspension geometry with the front of torsoin bar tube being lower than normal.

also note that the front bolt has a nicely made spacer to take up the room between the chassis and the tow bar bracket.

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Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 07:02 PM

another

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Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 07:03 PM

last one

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Posted by: STL914 Mar 20 2006, 08:00 PM

Dan,

It looks like you were able to install the bracket without removing your spoiler. Any problems in doing it that way?

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 08:36 PM

LE spoiler is a non-issue. Absolutely no interference.
Spoiler remained in it's usual position during intall.
Spoiler also has no interference during use of the Empi tow bar. David also makes a similar bar with correct attachments for a "Draw tite" tow bar.
Mine is for a superbeetle tow bar. Looks very similar.
This was the easiest and simplest method I have seen for flat towing a 914.
David and I emailed back and forth with ideas and designs before this one was settled on. I originally was planing on fabbing up my own bracket using a set of David's tow eye brackets...which these final product tow bar brackets are based on.
this is a great product and comes with everything you need to install. Bracket, new hardware, and spacer for front mounting bolt.
When finished it does not protrude beyond the spoiler. Actually is behind the vertical plane of the spoiler by about 2-3 inches. It also does not hang down in harms way.

Posted by: BigDBass Mar 20 2006, 09:22 PM

Is there a limit to the range for which flat towing a 914 is appropriate and/or safe?

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 09:26 PM

I have several friends that have been flat towing their 914s and 911s for many years to and from AX and TT/DEs with absolutely no problems.
One car has been flat towed for at least 15 years I know of. 2L 914 with side shifter 901.
I have it on expert opinion that it does absolutely no damage to the tranny or other drive train components.
We travel 200+ miles to Thunderhill 3 times per year minimum and at least a couple of time to Buttonwillow, even to Fernly Nevada from San Jose Ca.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 10:15 PM

a couple of full perspective of install

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Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 10:16 PM

and another

If you look closely you can see my vented front rotors

I also use empty brake cleaner cans as a jackstand

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Posted by: trekkor Mar 20 2006, 11:28 PM

Looks like everything is coming towgether for you
Nice. Looks pretty strong.

Any chance you will come to the Zone a/x on April 1,2?

KT

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 20 2006, 11:37 PM

yes, the bracket is very strong. You could probably pick the car up by the bracket

Kind of doubt I will make it to the zone AX. Still pointing toward mid April with CDS at BW.
Did not start a separate thread today but I also got my torsion bars in today along with my Porterfield pads in the front. Next is the rear porterfields. rebleed the brakes and run oil lines. Also fabbed up my mounting hardware for the cooler in the front trunk, today.
Once all that is done I will get it back on the ground a rough out my ride hieght. I am pretty happy with the rear, I may go down one more indentation on the Bils on the rear. then set the front with about a 2 degree rake towards the front. And pray I still have enough shock travel. If not I will raise it up one notch on the rears and reset.
Then off for alignment and a few other items at the shop.

Posted by: STL914 Mar 21 2006, 06:22 AM

Dan,

Any chance of posting a picture of your car hitched up tp your tow vehicle?
I'd like to see how the tow bar clears the LE spoiler.

Oh, I ordered my tow bracket from David last night, tow bar from eBay last week. Now all I need are the tow lights David recommends. This is a pretty good flat tow package for less than $200.

Posted by: blitZ Mar 21 2006, 07:17 AM

Just an FYI.

I attempted to purchase the Draw Tite clone bar from ebay. The sleeze took my paypal payment, which I am currently disputing and has closed his ebay store and opened another one under a new name. Beware this scum.

old ebay username: smartinvestors
new ebay username: sliou02

Sorry, let me add, this has nothing to do with David's excellent product. I'm just trying to warn others about my mistake. I also see several of the generic type tow bars on craig list.

Posted by: Paul Illick Mar 21 2006, 07:42 AM

That tow bar attachment appears strong enough to be doing double duty as a front suspension stiffener. Looks really good. And easy. Easy is important.

Posted by: STL914 Mar 21 2006, 12:01 PM

QUOTE (blitZ @ Mar 21 2006, 05:17 AM)
Just an FYI.

I attempted to purchase the Draw Tite clone bar from ebay. The sleeze took my paypal payment, which I am currently disputing and has closed his ebay store and opened another one under a new name. Beware this scum.

old ebay username: smartinvestors
new ebay username: sliou02

Hey Blitz,

The eBay seller I bought mine from was bestchoiceproducts. They had a feedback rating of 98.3% even with a bunch of negatives. I PayPal'd for the
tow bar so at least that's some comfort.

Now I'll just sit backand wait for it to arrive, hopefully not too long of a wait.

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 21 2006, 03:37 PM

QUOTE (STL914 @ Mar 21 2006, 04:22 AM)
Dan,

Any chance of posting a picture of your car hitched up tp your tow vehicle?
I'd like to see how the tow bar clears the LE spoiler.

Oh, I ordered my tow bracket from David last night, tow bar from eBay last week. Now all I need are the tow lights David recommends. This is a pretty good flat tow package for less than $200.

won't be able to post any pics with it hitched to my Suburban until sometime this weekend. Car is currently up off the floor waiting for me to finish installing my rear Porterfields and re-bleeding of the brakes.
Once that is done I will post some pics.
By the way, instead of using magnetic lights I tapped into my existing lights with diodes made for flat tow rewiring for the RV crowd.
Worked great and all wires are now inside the vehicle instead of dangling along as you drive...just another way to skin this cat
I now have turn, running and brake lights all using the 914's brake running lights. 4 2in one out diodes and a 4 wire loom from front trunk to rear trunk.
very clean and only need to unplug the harness in the front trunk and I am good to go after towing.
With my tow bar and wiring it will take a total of no more than 2 mins to hook or unhook.

I really like clean and simple things

I can tell you that I did a test fit of the tow bar after I finished the bracket install and there is absolutely no interference with the LE spoiler. I am using the super beetle tow bar and corresponding bracket.

Posted by: racergreg Mar 21 2006, 05:02 PM

Glad to hear that the wiring worked out for you!

To reinforce the flat towing issue, I have towed my track-only 914 thousands of miles, 8 - 10 times per year for the last five years. No problems.

Posted by: dlee1967 Mar 21 2006, 07:47 PM

Hey Dan or Greg, how about some details on the parts needed to hook up the wiring without doing the magnetic light thing? Inquiring minds want to know. What parts are needed? Where can you source them? Costs?

If you really want to go over the top you could also work up a little wiring diagram. OK OK....maybe I went too far with that request. DLee

Posted by: Gint Mar 21 2006, 08:12 PM

QUOTE (dlee1967 @ Mar 21 2006, 06:47 PM)
Hey Dan or Greg, how about some details on the parts needed to hook up the wiring without doing the magnetic light thing? Inquiring minds want to know. What parts are needed? Where can you source them? Costs?

If you really want to go over the top you could also work up a little wiring diagram. OK OK....maybe I went too far with that request. DLee

I think it's a fine idea. I'll second it. Come on fellas! I already have David's tow bracket but I'm a wiring dufus (well not totally, really, but I hate it).

Posted by: Dan (Almaden Valley) Mar 21 2006, 08:31 PM

I used a roadmaster universal wiring kit. It comes with the wiring harness (30'), extension 6', 4- 2 into 1 diodes, wire loom, spade connectors and diagram. All of this can be obtained from Campingworld, or some place where trailer hitches and wiring can be purchased.

The diodes are necessary to eliminate electrical feedback from the tow vehicles electrical system from effecting the towed vehicle's (914) electrical system.

Here is a cropped version of the wiring diagram

Took me no more than an hour to do complete job including running the wiring harness.

You will need a test light or multimeter to find the wires you need at the tail lights unless you have a teener wiring diagram with color codes.

This diagram assumes your tow vehicle has combined brake/turn signal functions. If you aren't sure about that you probably shouldn't be doing this on your own.
With this set up your current 914 brake/running lights will now function while towing as your brake/running/turn signals.
There are other diagrams if your tow vehicle has separate turn and brake lights.

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Posted by: dlee1967 Mar 21 2006, 10:35 PM

Nice.....thanks Dan!

Posted by: Gint Mar 21 2006, 10:49 PM

QUOTE (dlee1967 @ Mar 21 2006, 09:35 PM)
Nice.....thanks Dan!

Ditto! Thanks Dan.