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Towing

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by Tony C, Aug 29, 2006.

  1. Aug 29, 2006
    Tony C

    Tony C Bubblehead

    Dothan, AL
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2006
    Messages:
    37
    :AMC: I am interested in towing my 75 CJ5 behind my truck using a frame mounted tow bar. I have a T-18 transmission and a Dana 20 xfer case. Can I tow this safely by placing the gearbox in nuetral or will I need to remove the driveshafts, it's a 90 mile one way trip.

    Thanks,
     
  2. Aug 29, 2006
    panzer

    panzer Super Mod Staff Member

    Columbus, OH
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    Dec 9, 2003
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    1,245
  3. Aug 29, 2006
    dvader

    dvader Member

    Northern Nevada
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    Jul 20, 2006
    Messages:
    224
    My owners manual for my 74 CJ5 recomends both tranny and transmission to be in nuetral. However, some recommend that the tranny be left in gear and only the transfer case be put in nuetral. That is how I tow my Jeep.
    There is a mistake on Novak's website were it cautions against towing a Dana 20. That caution should be on towing a Dana 300. The Dana 300 differs from the Dana 20 in that the 300s gears do not rotate in nuetral and act as oil slingers. The rear output bearings can run dry with prolonged towing. Dana 300 owners often will stop during a tow and put the transfer case in hi for a few mile with the tranny in nuetral to lube up the bearings. After market has welded up the sliding collars for the 300 with paddles to cure the problem. I think I have a set of those around for sale....
    Some trannys, like the NP435 will be damaged by towing in nuetral with the transfer case in gear. A friend did it to a NP435 with the transfer case in low and the whole thing locked up after about 30 miles.
     
  4. Aug 29, 2006
    original cj5

    original cj5 They call me Mr Bubba

    Murphy, NC
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2005
    Messages:
    200
    I just finished reading every, & I mean every, one of those post that are contained in Panser's aforementioned link, and still do not know if I can flat tow my 74 CJ5 without removing the drive shaft. I have a "slightly" different set up, T-14 & Dana 20. I want to make a trip from NE Georgia to the Outer Banks (mileage unknown, but loooong). I would be grateful if one of our members with "vast & specific" knowledge would chime in on this issue & answer this question once & for all.

    Yes, I know there are only 4 u-bolts to remove to drop the drive shaft to the rear axle, but if it is not necessary, thats one less (make that 2)things I need to do. Does anyone have "the" definitive answer?

    Enquiring minds want to know. :)
     
  5. Aug 29, 2006
    dvader

    dvader Member

    Northern Nevada
    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2006
    Messages:
    224
    Tim, the answer is YES. Put the transfer case in neutral and leave the transmission in gear. I have towed mine that way over 30,000 miles in the last 12 years. Have a nice trip.
     
  6. Aug 29, 2006
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2002
    Messages:
    12,529
    What dvader said.
    I've had to rebuild tons of transmissions that were towed in neutral. The oil in the transfer case gets slung around and ends up driving the output shaft of the transmission. When this happens the pilot bearings between the input and output shaft starve for oil. This becomes catastrophic and can weld the shafts together or grind the rollers and shafts to nothing. Nickmil
     
  7. Aug 30, 2006
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2005
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    2,918
    I always thought it was better to just remove the rear driveshaft from the rear axle and tie it off to the frame, and unlock the front hubs, and just let only the wheels turn? Is this wrong?

    When I first signed up here I asked about flat towing, and I thought that was the general concesus. It's a hassle, sure, but isn't it the safest way?

    When I towed my Jeep home from Oklahoma, I put the front wheels on a tow dolly, and just disco'd the driveshaft from the rear pumpkin and secured it to the frame. Only thing turning was the rear wheels and axle.
     
  8. Aug 30, 2006
    dvader

    dvader Member

    Northern Nevada
    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2006
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    224
    Nothing wrong with disconnecting the driveshaft. IMHO it is more work than needed. When I flat tow, I like being able to uncouple the jeep and drive away.
     
  9. Aug 30, 2006
    sac13

    sac13 Come oooonnnnn summer....

    Shelby Township, MI
    Joined:
    Jun 12, 2006
    Messages:
    321
    This may be a stupid question, but what gear do you leave your tranny in? Does it matter?
     
  10. Aug 30, 2006
    jd7

    jd7 Sponsor

    Nacogdoches,Texas
    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2004
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    1,745
    usually high gear
     
  11. Aug 30, 2006
    kucerae

    kucerae New Member

    Merritt Island, FL
    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2004
    Messages:
    40
    If the transfer case is in neutral, why would it matter whether the transmission is in gear or not? Wouldn't the movement of the driveline end with the transfer case?
     
  12. Aug 30, 2006
    lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    Huntingdon PA
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    Sep 20, 2002
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    See Nickmil's post above for explanation.
     
  13. Aug 30, 2006
    dvader

    dvader Member

    Northern Nevada
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    Jul 20, 2006
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    224
    Yep, Like nickmil said. It is the same way a torque converter (non lock-up) works in an automatic transmission. One way to explain it is: Imagine two box fans against each other. one is running, one is off, but the air from one is turning the other. Now substitute gears for fans and oil for air.
     
  14. Aug 30, 2006
    kucerae

    kucerae New Member

    Merritt Island, FL
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    Thanks, that's interesting. I never would have thought that that could cause damage. Learn something every day.
     
  15. Aug 30, 2006
    Tony C

    Tony C Bubblehead

    Dothan, AL
    Joined:
    Aug 25, 2006
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    Thanks for all of the responses regarding my "Flat Tow" question. Now I know the answer and hopefully all will go well with my trip down to the beach coming up soon.
     
  16. Aug 30, 2006
    dvader

    dvader Member

    Northern Nevada
    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2006
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    224
    Your welcome Tony. A couple last thoughts for those who have not flat towed before. It is hard to back up while flat towing. You can back up straight for a little bit, but the Jeep's front tires will go their own way.
    While towing forward, keep an eye on the Jeep's front tires when starting out or tight off road turns to make sure the jeep is following the tow vehical. If the Jeep's front tires point the wrong way. Stop and crank the jeep front wheels the right way.
     
  17. Aug 30, 2006
    original cj5

    original cj5 They call me Mr Bubba

    Murphy, NC
    Joined:
    Sep 30, 2005
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    Thanks for the advice. My confusion was/is a result of the 1974 Owners Manual (yes, I have one). As previously stated, the instruction is neutral & neutral (page 15). I will try 3rd & neutral T-case.

    If I get back and my transmission is finort, who shall I send the bill to, hmmmm? On second thought, it would be a good time & reason to put in a 4 spd & go twin stick. (Always look for the silver lining:rofl: )
     
  18. Nov 25, 2007
    greatscot3

    greatscot3 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2007
    Messages:
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    Hello

    I agree that the subject of towing a Jeep has been discussed ad nauseum.
    I bought a stock 1975 Jeep CJ6 (T86 three speed trans I think) in So. Cal. and being ignorant of the subject discussed, I towed the Jeep about 300 miles with the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in neutral. I drove 55 on cruise control while towing the whole time.
    I got out several times to check the Jeep but did not feel the transfer case or transmission to see if they were getting hot. I did not smell lube burning or see anything out of the ordinary and I wonder if I got lucky.
    The transmission seems to work fine now but first and second gear in 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive make a substantial amount of gear noise. Third gear driving is almost silent. I have thought that that was just the way those transmissions are. I wonder now if I have done some damage. I have changed all the fluids and everything seems to work fine.
    One thing I don't understand completely is the equivocation in the posts about flat towing.
    The opinions in the forums are all over the map, but no one from Jeep is stepping forward to say unequivocally how to flat tow with a given transmission. What I mean by that is, most of the info is anecdotal and it should be in hard print somewhere.
    I am waiting for an owner's manual for my Jeep that I bought on Ebay to see if there are any refernces to towing and how the transmissions should be set.
    In the meantime, I am wondering if I might have effed up my transmission or transfer case through being ignorant.

    Jon Stewart (no, not that one)
     
  19. Nov 25, 2007
    greatscot3

    greatscot3 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2007
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    VERRRRY interesting.......


    I agree that the subject of towing a Jeep has been discussed ad nauseum but I thought your post was the most definitive yet because you identify the year and model Jeep you are talking about. I bought a stock 1975 Jeep CJ6 (T86 three speed trans I think) in So. Cal. and being ignorant of the subject discussed, I towed the Jeep about 300 miles with the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in neutral. I drove 55 on cruise control while towing the whole time.
    I got out several times to check the Jeep but did not feel the transfer case or transmission to see if they were getting hot. I did not smell lube burning or see anything out of the ordinary and I wonder if I got lucky.
    The transmission seems to work fine now but first and second gear in 2 wheel and 4 wheel drive make a substantial amount of gear noise. Third gear driving is almost silent. I have thought that that was just the way those transmissions are. I wonder now if I have done some damage. I have changed all the fluids and everything seems to work fine.
    One thing I don't understand completely is the equivocation in the posts about flat towing.
    The opinions in the forums are all over the map, but no one from Jeep is stepping forward to say unequivocally how to flat tow with a given transmission. What I mean by that is, most of the info is anecdotal and it should be in hard print somewhere.
    I am waiting for an owner's manual for my Jeep that I bought on Ebay to see if there are any refernces to towing and how the transmissions should be set.
    In the meantime, I am wondering if I might have effed up my transmission or transfer case through being ignorant.

    Jon Stewart (no, not that one)
     
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