Flat Towing With Tow Bar. Bad Idea?

Not this one.

 

I'm not sure why you think the transfer case and tranny would cause you problems driving lots of miles? I drive my 46 Willys with the original D18 transfer case all over the place. Including across the US and back, and lots of other long trips. And I routinely make shorter 300-1000 mile round trips several times a year. It doesn't have the original transmission, I put a 4 speed T98 in there about 10 years ago. I think it would handle miles just fine even with the original 3 speed.

That said, tow bars are pretty common on old jeeps, it's definitely a viable way to transport them around without actually driving them. The few times I've flat towed mine (mostly when I was moving to a new location) I just used magnetic brake lights rather than messing with the wiring in the jeep. if I were going to do it a lot, I would probably just wire in an extension to the brake lights.

 

I have towed my Jeep hundreds of miles at 70mph on the interstate with my 97 Dakota, V8 powered. No problem stopping at all, no tail wagging the dog, my Dakota weighs more than a mid 70’s full size truck, has more power and better brakes. As far as lights go I added a second harness under the frame with waterproof connectors, when towing I plug it into my truck and reach under both rear wheel wells and swap plugs to run the turn signals and lights off my truck with no drain on the tow vehicle at all. Transfer case in neutral vehicle in 3rd gear. Don’t know why anybody would lose oil out of the axles or transfer case while towing though.

 

Thanks for the response.

Either the tranny or transfer case is a bit loud on the highway. Haven't tried to isolate it yet; too many other things have been ahead of it. Also, we noticed that the rear shaft input to the TC had a lot of play in it, meaning you can turn the drive shaft either direction and it moves quite a bit before hitting solid steel. I really don't know how many miles are on this thing. The PO did replace the clutch, and the fluids are topped off, but that's all I know. TC is also leaking just a tad, for which I have a gasket kit. I have a hunch the TC may be due for an overhaul.

I have the 4-speed manual. It's a D-19 or D-20, I don't recall which. I'd have to check again.

Good to know that you're getting that kind of service out of your D-18 though.

 

The D18 transfer case is notoriously loud at highway speed, even when freshly rebuilt. Nature of the beast.

 

That might be exactly what I'm hearing. That's a relief to hear.

Now, should I be concerned about all of the play in the rear drive line input shaft? It was actually pointed-out to me by my exhaust guy when he had it in the air.

 

People put mild V8's infront of D18 transfer cases, they seem to be pretty stout units.

I don't know about the play in the output shaft, I know some is desired (a very small amount) but I don't know at what point it needs a new output bearing.

 

Hopefully it's just a worn out u-joint or pinion bearings.

 

Probably the slip joint.

 

Simply put, more Jeeps have been destroyed by flat towing than anything other than rust.

 

When I talk about 'play', I mean you can spin the driveline both directions without anything else moving. I'll have to shoot a video.

This mechanic was a Jeep fan who was an exhaust specialist, so while he was under there, with the CJ on a rack over his head, he just started checking everything out while waiting for another tech to finish his task.

For example, he noted that my oil pan gasket was leaking and that the pan bolts were barely more than finger-tight, despite the fact that my local mechanic had just replaced that gasket fewer than 100 miles earlier. I know you should retighten them after a couple of heat cycles, but that was ridiculous.

That gives me some concerns about my TC...

 

Could you qualify that a bit?

Seems like lots of guys here are towing without incident. What things happen to 'destroy' a flat-towed Jeep? I'm trying to weigh the pros and cons of both.

Thanks--

 

I bought a Master Tow tow Dolly from a friend for $300.00. For me it is the best way to tow My Jeep. I don't know how many sizes they make, but it fits my Jeep perfect. I drive my Jeep up on it, hook it down, dis connect the rear drive shaft hang it with a ratchet between the frame rails, duct tape the caps on the shaft, ready to go. The only thing moving on the Jeep is the rear axel. No strain on the front end at all, no dragging it around corners, no front tire wear, no stress on the Jeep at all. When I get where I am going it takes 5 minutes to put the shaft back in and you are on the road. I lay my windshield down and tie it down, can put extra stuff in the Jeep. I get in the Big Truck lane and cruise along with them at 65 mph, no problems, no Nutcases going 80 mph, Life is Good.