Flat Towing

[rascalking]

Ok, I have already come to the conclusion that I'll get alot of crap for bringing up this OLD issue, but here goes anyway.

I have a 1998 Limited 4x4 Auto and I want to flat tow it. I've read every post possible on here as well as any other site I could find that had a post on this topic. It seems to me that most of the posts I saw related to flat towing a 4x4 auto were saying that their 4runners didn't have a nuetral position on the transfer case. My 4runner HAS a nuetral on the transfer case, so obviously there would be no damage to trasmission as a result from flat towing. Now the only concern (I would think) that would be left is transfer case damage. Can anyone tell me if the transfer case has a pump that might not be running while the engine/transmission are not spinning? Or does the t-case rely on oil being slinged onto the moving parts?

Again, I already know the easy answer is "Don't do it." I'm more interested in why and the technical reason.

Thanks...I think

 

[Elton H]

id pull the rear drive line or you stand a chance of trashing the tranny

 

[rascalking]

See, that's what I can't understand. If the transfer case is in neutral and the outpur shaft to the trans is not spinning, how will the tranny be damaged? And if for some reason it does, then whey would I not have to disconnect the front drive shaft?

 

[Singtoe]

I towed a Tacoma (which is the same drivetrain) on a car dolly. I learned that if you drive the truck on the dolly and then shift it in Neutral at the transfer case, the front axle is engaged.

I had to start the truck up, shift the transfer case back to 2Hi and then shut it off. I then put the transfer case into neutral (key was off) and the front axle was disconnected from the transfer case.

I left the transmission in Park just so that nothing was turning in the tranny while i was towing it.

The key points are. .

1 Shift the transfer case into neutral while the key is off, that way the front axle is not tied to the rear axle.

2. Leave the tranny in park, that way nothing is turning.

 

[RC57]

According to the FSM, the transfer case has an oil pump. No idea if it runs off the input or output shafts.

 

[rascalking]

Busy weekend.....thanks for the input guys. Thats interesting about shifting into neutral after its off. So by "engaged" you mean if you shifted the t-case into neutral while the truck was running you could actually still drive the truck like a front wheel drive?

I shift my into neutral when its running and everything seems to be free, but I didn't shut it off....I have to try it now.

Yeah I figured there was an oil pump, now I just have figure out when it spins. Thanks again.

 

[RC57]

Busy weekend.....thanks for the input guys. Thats interesting about shifting into neutral after its off. So by "engaged" you mean if you shifted the t-case into neutral while the truck was running you could actually still drive the truck like a front wheel drive?

I shift my into neutral when its running and everything seems to be free, but I didn't shut it off....I have to try it now.

Neutral in the transfer case will still be neutral. By shifting into neutral with the engine running the vacuum servo on the front diff will engage the axles, spinning the driveshaft with the axles. Just one more part turning that doesn't need to.

 

[rascalking]

Ok, now it makes sense. So that tells me that if I shift into neutral with the engine off, the front axles won't spin. So not knowing if the transfer case will lube, I'm back to only having to disconnect the rear drive shaft just to be safe.

 

[rascalking]

Anyone know where I might be able to find an exploded view of a 3rd gen t-case?

 

[kevinh]

Not to be a pest, but all of the posts reference an automatic transmission. I have a 1998 SR5 V6 4x4 with manual transmission/manual transfer case. Can I flat tow it without modification?

Thank you!