Can I flat tow my 98 Manual 5 speed 4WD with my F-250?

[ranchdog]

Thanks guys for all the feedback. I have a trailer that can haul a jeep but I will have to work on the brakes. I usually throw my 4Wheeler on it and its very light compared to a 4 Runner.

However, it does seem that I could flat tow it but maybe its not worth the risk. Its only during hunting season up about Oct. and then back home at the end of Jan.

Ranchdog

 

[phattyduck]

I had a thought while out on a run this morning...

The front and rear TC outputs are locked together when the J-shifter is in neutral - but the ADD isn't active, so there won't be drivetrain wind-up, as the right front diff output is disconnected.

Dropzone's (or Marlin's) point about the transfer case oiling still a concern though.

-Charlie

 

[ajordan1975]

just disconnect both front and rear shafts. tie them up and tow it. takes about 10 min to do.

 

[Cat100]

As dropzone said, Marlin says he will not flat tow any toyota tcase without pulling the driveshafts. The rear output bearing will get too hot and possibly fail.

 

[DeKalbOffroad]

Make sure you take out the driveshaft, even in neutral it will be free spinning without any lube. You'll burn up your trans if not.

 

[TheDurk]

just disconnect both front and rear shafts. tie them up and tow it. takes about 10 min to do.

There is no conceivable reason to do the front. The ADD is not engaged in 2WD so that whole drivetrain does not spin. It's no different than being parked. The front D/S WILL NOT SPIN when towed!

As dropzone said, Marlin says he will not flat tow any toyota tcase without pulling the driveshafts. The rear output bearing will get too hot and possibly fail.

I cannot accept that there is any difference IN 2WD IN THE TC if the power comes from the back or from the front. The front and rear shafts are locked. Everything spins just as in normal 2wd operation. I agree don't tow it in neutral, but that means don't leave it in neutral, put it in 2WD. Then your only conceivable issue is the manual trans. Please look at the design and tell me how the input shaft has ANY role in lubing anything on the 5-speed trans. I just don't buy it. Obviously, slush boxes should not do this.

The input shaft is that little short one at the top. It's a splined shaft with a pinion on the end. How can it make a difference to lubing anything else if it is not spinning?

Sorry for the size of the pic, for some reason it won't let itself be edited. I'm not even sure others can see it. Let me know if you can't, please.

 

[IBallEngineer]

just disconnect both front and rear shafts. tie them up and tow it. takes about 10 min to do.

heh, that's funny! It takes me 10 minutes to get under my truck! And then I can't see anything with out some lighting! Oh yeah, and my non-lifted truck won't let me swing a ratchet, and I can't get any leverage to break a nut free.

Front driveshaft? Oh I know I have one, I saw it once when I was changing the oil. You wan't me to take it lose? Heh, now I KNOW your joking.

Yeah, at my age and mileage, this is not the answer. Been there done that on the CJ5, (and yes I killed one Dana20 output bearing and housing). If'n I ever get there, it'll have to be hubs on the rear axle or a driveshaft disconnect collar for me.

I know Marlin says NO to any towing, but my best friend has flat towed his 85 dual case since 2004, he towed to Oregon from SoCal early this year, and hasn't ever hurt anything. Not while flat towing anyway, wheelin' is a whole other thing.

 

[IBallEngineer]

There is no conceivable reason to do the front. The ADD is not engaged in 2WD so that whole drivetrain does not spin.



I cannot accept that there is any difference IN 2WD IN THE TC if the power comes from the back or from the front. The front and rear shafts are locked. Everything spins just as in normal operation. I agree don't tow it in neutral, but that means don't leave it in neutral, put it in 2WD. Then your only conceivable issue is the manual trans. Please look at the design and tell me how the input shaft has ANY role in lubing anything on the 5-speed trans. I just don't buy it. Obviously, slush boxes should not do this.




The input shaft is that little short one at the top. It's a splined shaft with a pinion on the end. How can it make a difference to lubing anything else if it is not spinning?

It all boils down to this, will the output shaft bearings get oil without the input shaft turning. On the manual transmissions that I know, they would. I have never had one of ours apart to understand what slings oil. [MENTION=10169]TheDurk[/MENTION] should take one apart and edumacate us all!

:thumb3:

 

[ranchdog]

I agree, flat towing would require disconnecting the drive shaft to be safe.

Thanks everyone who chimed in

Ranchdog

 

[ajordan1975]

heh, that's funny! It takes me 10 minutes to get under my truck! And then I can't see anything with out some lighting! Oh yeah, and my non-lifted truck won't let me swing a ratchet, and I can't get any leverage to break a nut free.

Front driveshaft? Oh I know I have one, I saw it once when I was changing the oil. You wan't me to take it lose? Heh, now I KNOW your joking.

Yeah, at my age and mileage, this is not the answer. Been there done that on the CJ5, (and yes I killed one Dana20 output bearing and housing). If'n I ever get there, it'll have to be hubs on the rear axle or a driveshaft disconnect collar for me.

I know Marlin says NO to any towing, but my best friend has flat towed his 85 dual case since 2004, he towed to Oregon from SoCal early this year, and hasn't ever hurt anything. Not while flat towing anyway, wheelin' is a whole other thing.

No need to be an A S S H O L E!
it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[csp]

No need to be an A S S H O L E!

You really need to learn to recognize sarcastic humor when you see it. Here, I'll point it out for you. IBall was making fun of himself and the fact that as we get older those ten minute jobs aren't as easy as they are for you young guys for various reasons.

Overreact much?