Flat tow or trailer?

[BillyThib]

Part-Time Manual Transfer Case with Neutral

We purchased our TRD Off-Road yesterday for flat towing because the transfer case has a Neutral Position. At the dealership I shifted the TC into neutral and ran the tranny through the gears with no motion so why the hell isn't that acceptable for flat towing? I make my living rigging vehicles for dinghy towing and unless the transfer case isn't lubricated by the spinning of the output shaft then there should be no reason that it cannot be flat towed. For the electronic transfer case units, Remco Industries makes a lube pump kit to keep everything wet, assuming you have the A750E or F transmission.

 

[philsey]

We purchased our TRD Off-Road yesterday for flat towing because the transfer case has a Neutral Position. At the dealership I shifted the TC into neutral and ran the tranny through the gears with no motion so why the hell isn't that acceptable for flat towing? I make my living rigging vehicles for dinghy towing and unless the transfer case isn't lubricated by the spinning of the output shaft then there should be no reason that it cannot be flat towed. For the electronic transfer case units, Remco Industries makes a lube pump kit to keep everything wet, assuming you have the A750E or F transmission.

What does your OM say?

 

[BillyThib]

What does your OM say?

Do Not Flat Tow.

Seems like a blanket "CYA statement" though if the X'fer case has a neutral position. As soon as I learn which case is in it, I will d'load the service manual to investigate how the oiling system is configured, then make a decision from there.

 

[philsey]

I suppose we'll see you back whining that the dealer denied your powertrain warranty because you knew better than the engineers who designed it.

:loco:

 

[BigredTEX]

You will have to install a driveshaft disconnect for the rear driveshaft. They are commercially available. My buddy that I referenced in my earlier post installed one.

I do not know the limitations of the transfer case that will not allow it to spin in neutral, but there definitely is an issue there. I would heed the advice of [MENTION=51186]philsey[/MENTION].

 

[Pullpin12]

Why not just let the engine idle? With transmission and transfercase in neutral. This should provide the lubrication for tranny and transfercase.

 

[willo]

This is a good argument for installing an aftermarket transfer case that would allow towing. Think Atlas, etc.

I know, old thread, but had to comment.

 

[Silverton34]

Wonder how this all turned out. I also would like to buy a new 4Runner with the manual shift transfer case and flat tow it. Anyone have any new information?

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Wonder how this all turned out. I also would like to buy a new 4Runner with the manual shift transfer case and flat tow it. Anyone have any new information?

No change. You cannot flat tow a 4Runner. The transfer case oil pump is engine driven. You could possibly remove the rear shaft.

 

[DBGW5]

As I ponder retirement In a diesel pusher for a few years.... flat towing the 4Runner is what I want to do. What do I need to do to tow my 19 TRD ORP?

 

[Whippersnapper02]

As I ponder retirement In a diesel pusher for a few years.... flat towing the 4Runner is what I want to do. What do I need to do to tow my 19 TRD ORP?

Remove the rear driveshaft or install a disconnect if available.

 

[Jetboy]

As I ponder retirement In a diesel pusher for a few years.... flat towing the 4Runner is what I want to do. What do I need to do to tow my 19 TRD ORP?

Disconnect the rear shaft or figure out a way to pump gear lube from the bottom of the case up to the rear output shaft bearings and seal.

Limited awd with transmission in park and transfer case in neutral *might* work.

 

[DBGW5]

Disconnect the rear shaft or figure out a way to pump gear lube from the bottom of the case up to the rear output shaft bearings and seal.

Limited awd with transmission in park and transfer case in neutral *might* work.

Not opposed to talking the driveshaft off the rear diff. I used do do that on my 72 Bronco for less wear and tear.
Or I can always go the trailer route....

 

[Jetboy]

Not opposed to talking the driveshaft off the rear diff. I used do do that on my 72 Bronco for less wear and tear.
Or I can always go the trailer route....

A trailer would be my preference just out of convenience. Quick and easy on and off. And then your not limited to the 4runner. Maybe in a few years you'd want a jeep or a sports car - no need to reinvent the whole flat tow setup. Drive the new car on and off you go.

 

[DBGW5]

A trailer would be my preference just out of convenience. Quick and easy on and off. And then your not limited to the 4runner. Maybe in a few years you'd want a jeep or a sports car - no need to reinvent the whole flat tow setup. Drive the new car on and off you go.

Now my wife is going to read this and want to tow her M2 vice the T4R... crap!

Trailer is a solid choice!

 

[DBGW5]

A trailer would be my preference just out of convenience. Quick and easy on and off. And then your not limited to the 4runner. Maybe in a few years you'd want a jeep or a sports car - no need to reinvent the whole flat tow setup. Drive the new car on and off you go.

As I stew further in this dilemma I am a little pissed . WTH was Toyota thinking by not making this possible? Pushing people further into the Jeep camp.
I guess unbolting the rear drive shaft at the 3rd member is the easy way. I don’t want to deal with a trailer once I am at a camp site. We will be full timing in diesel pusher. I want it to be as easy as possible....

Diesel Wrangler? Diesel Gladiator?

 

[DBGW5]

Reading a ton on towing. Lots of GX owners flat tow. T-case in neutral and transmission in park leave key in ignition so column doesn't lock. Only works with manual transfer case not the electric.

 

[Whippersnapper02]

Reading a ton on towing. Lots of GX owners flat tow. T-case in neutral and transmission in park leave key in ignition so column doesn't lock. Only works with manual transfer case not the electric.

Might be different because they are AWD.

 

[Jetboy]

I really don't know why you can flat tow the jeep. The oil pump is on the input shaft in both the Jeep and toyota transfer cases. I have no idea how Jeep is lubricating the bearings without the oil pump running. If the input shaft isn't moving - the pump isn't moving fluid unless there's something I don't understand about it. I *think* that if the chain drive is moving it would potentially slash lubricate the output bearings? But I don't think it would be moving in the Jeep being flat towed unless it was in 4wd, much like the 4runner. I don't know on the jeep if "neutral" position has the chain drive engaged in some way. I doubt it - but I don't know.

 

[ozon8r]

Flat towing 5th Gen 4Runner

Interesting thread and I would love to be able to flat tow my 4runner. Trailer is out of the question.

Here is what I am gathering and appreciate anyone to challenge or correct:
1) Either install the tranny lube pump or disconnect the rear drive shaft four bolts at the rear diff and hang the DS on something under the carriage.
2) Leave the key in the ignition to keep the steering column free from locking
3) Install a towed vehicle battery charger to keep the 4runner battery from draining with the key in the ignition (Is battery drain a risk with key in ignition? Not sure)

Question that still remain after reading this thread.
1) If the front drive shaft remains connected even if 4 hi is not engaged, wouldn't you still need the tranny lube pump or should the front drive shaft be disconnected and hung like the rear?