Question About Tow BarS

2000F150SAS

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jun 13, 2007
Location
Fuquay-Varina, NC
I’m heading to the beach this weekend and will be towing a 95 Wrangler with a tow bar. The Jeep has 31” tires and a 5 speed trans., can I just budge cord the shifter in neutral or should I also put the transfer case in neutral?

Thanks
 
I never bungee my shifters when i flat tow the CJ. Tranny in second gear to sling some oil, t-case in neutral, front hubs unlocked, but check your owners manual or find something on the internet that matches your driveline combo.
 
Thanks,

I can see maybe doing the back driveshaft but why the front?

John
 
F1504x2 said:
Thanks,
I can see maybe doing the back driveshaft but why the front?
John
Click to expand...

YJs don't have front unlockable hubs. I'm not sure if the center axle disconnect will isolate the front driveshaft from being spun by the driver front tire. Its always safest to disco the driveshafts, but I have to admit I never have.
 
From reading Jeep Fourms it's best to drop the rear driveshaft, but all gear boxes in neutral and leave the steering wheel in the unlock position. What do you guys think? This sounds safe?
 
I have towed my YJ all over the place in the past. tcase in neutral, tranny in neutral, steering unlocked. Never removed a d-shaft and never had any issues.
 
89WRANGLER

I agree with you, but everyone is say to leave the trans in gear to lube the trans?? I don't really like leaving the trans in gear and having all that turn.

????
 
sorry if this is stupid, but a couple people have said t case in neutral, trans in gear to sling fluid........ if the t-case is in neutral, how will the trans be spinning?
 
I would have to say from the rear axle turning the driveshat which is turning the transmission output shaft.
 
Not sure, but i know someone knows. What do you thinks Jeep Owners??:confused:
 
I believe Jeep recommends putting the trans selector in park on autos and in 2nd gear on the 5 speeds with the tcase in neutral.
 
One More Question

With the steering wheel unlocked dosen't the Jeep wonder behind the tow rig?

Thanks
 
Flat towing with a 231 t-case equipped Jeep shoiuld be in this configuration:

Trans: Neutral
T-Case: Neutral
Steering: Unlocked (key in first position)

The steering needs to be unlocked so the towed vehicle can track the tow rig through turns. The 231 t-case has an oil pump that is driven by the output shaft so oiling will occur without trans in gear.

The BIG exception to the above rule is vacuum disconnect axles (like yours). Your 231 t-case has no true "neutral". In neutral it disengages from the engine, but locks F&R output shafts together. This is no big deal, UNLESS you are locked up front. Binding can and probably will occur and damage will result. If you have a front locker, you should disconnect/remove the shafts.
 
The steering has to be unlocked. It will track right behind the tow rid. I just got back from the coast flat towing behing the motor home with said configuration neut/neut/unlocked. If you leave the steering locked, the wheels will not turn to follow tow rig and if you make it there, there won't be much left of the front tires.
 
Flat Towing

Ok everyone thanks for all the help.:beer::beer::beer:
 
47CJ2A said:
Flat towing with a 231 t-case equipped Jeep shoiuld be in this configuration:
Trans: Neutral
T-Case: Neutral
Steering: Unlocked (key in first position)
Click to expand...

I also thought the trans should be in neutral, but per the owners manual for my 4.0, aw4, 231 combo the trans should be in park. I know it seems crazy but that is what it says, and several other people have told me the same.
 
I used to flat tow my auto TJ and the owners manual says to put trans in park and transfer case in neutral. IIRC, this is what I was told by the service dept my local Jeep dealership back in 2000. The reason why the trans needs to be in park is in the unlikely event that the drive shaft(s) spinning generates enough friction in the t-case to turn the transfer case input shaft. With the trans in gear/park the transfer case input shaft will not turn and no unnecessary damage or wear and tear will occur.
 
I too hauled my YJ on flat tow and then later on a tow dolly all over the place.

My config was auto in park and tcase in neutral per the Jeep instructions. In my case I had a 44 in the front and unlocked my hubs (detroit locker too)

I will throw this out here, you better make sure what you are flat towing WITH will not be pushed around by the YJ. My YJ had 35x12.5 tires on it and IT had MUCH more traction than the vehicle I was towing with.

The result was, I nearly jacknifed taking a slow right turn into Wal-Mart. I accelerated like mad to yank it back behind and never used flat tow again.

HOWEVER, and folks that has been around know what is coming. A year or so later, a young man bought my YJ, and flat towed it back to Florida behind his Ford Explorer.

A week after that, he was flat towing it down the interstate when someone cut him off in traffic and he had to swerve (going 60mph or so) That swerve caused his to lose control, ended up rolling and he was killed in the accident.

I found out a few month later when his dad called me, needing help on filing the insurance claims, etc.

When he bought the YJ from me, I told him in email and ph calls about how I nearly jacknifed and encouraged him to use a dolly. (I towed with dolly 5000 miles or so) Still I feel bad about this...so this is one of the ways I compensate, by telling this story everytime I see a flat tow thread pop up here.

Be careful...
Sam
 
Thanks Sam,

But this goes anything being towed which is larger then the tow truck. I have a 2000 F150 with 37" and towing a 95 4 cylinder YJ with 31", you also need to be aware of everything around you when towing with a trailer or flat towing.

Thanks for everyones advice.
 
disc the shafts at the axle and bungee them up. if something was to jump into gear, it would be a mess.
 
Back from the OBX Vacation

Left the drive shafts in and put the trans. and transfer in neutral and unlocked the steering wheel. Had no problems and towed great.

Thanks for everyones help.:beer:
 
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