Rebuilding rear tow plate...88 Ser III

[TJR]

I'm rebuilding my rear tow plate and I'm wondering exactly what the rectangular welded on plate on the back of the OEM towplate is for? (the one directly behind the large 5/8 dia holes)

Is it simply a spacer to shim the plate to adjust for the upper body tab mount.

A while back I recall a thread about someones Galv. rear cross memeber rusting baddly die to trapped stuff behind the towplate. This seems to be a good way to trap stuff in there. ... TJR

[Firemanshort]

I think it is for spacing - as you described.

[jp-]

I drew this up for you in Mechanical Desktop. On all of the tow plates that I have seen (taken off), there are four main bolts; two large 5/8" bolts and two smaller 3/8" bolts. Immediately behind the plate you should have one thick spacer (washer) for each bolt. These should be about 3/16" thick. Next should be the frame, and behind that (on the back of the frame) goes the rectangular plate. There should be two rectangular plates, one for the 5/8" holes, and one for the 3/8" holes. These plates on the back of the frame prevent the hitch (bolts) from ripping out of the frame if the hitch were to take a severe jerk.

http://img695.imageshack.us/img695/9673/tow1.th.jpg (http://img695.imageshack.us/i/tow1.jpg/)