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Towing Question

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Karl Childers, Sep 6, 2017.

  1. Sep 6, 2017
    Karl Childers

    Karl Childers Member

    Taos New Mexico
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    I will be bringing home a new to me 67 CJ 5 this coming Sunday. It is equipped with a tow bar and I plan on hauling it the 70 miles home behind my truck but here's the question: the seller says it will just need the hubs to be unlocked and both the transmission and transfer case put in neutral and it can be hauled home that way with out damage. I was going to disconnect the rear drive shaft for the trip but he says it is not necessary.
    Which is the correct way?
     
  2. Sep 6, 2017
    Vanguard

    Vanguard Take Off! Staff Member

    Vista, CA USA
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    You will probably get a dozen different answers. I've done both at different times. Mostly though it was unlock the hubs and neutral/neutral.
     
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  3. Sep 6, 2017
    Rozcoking23

    Rozcoking23 RUN & GET BIT! 2024 Sponsor

    Stockton, CA
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    Unlock the hubs, transfer case in neutral, transmission in gear. I've never disconnected the rear drive shaft.
     
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  4. Sep 6, 2017
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    I agree with this.
    I disconnect the rear shafts for long trips, just for my peace of mind and to reduce drag and wear.
     
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  5. Sep 7, 2017
    Xeoblade

    Xeoblade New Member

    Redmond, WA
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    I've also heard that if you leave the rear shaft in you should stop every few hundred miles and run the jeep with it in gear (transfer case in neutral). Supposedly this will get oil on all the parts that need it and normally get it when the jeep is running but don't when you flat tow it.
     
  6. Sep 7, 2017
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    It only takes a few minutes to take the rear drive shaft loose, and you can do it without jacking it up. I take a ratchet strap go around the frame and under the drive shaft to hold it up, and duct tape the bearing caps to keep then from falling off. Good Luck.
     
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  7. Sep 7, 2017
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Many many posts on this topic in the past. Try searching the archives.
     
  8. Sep 7, 2017
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

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    This applies to newer Jeeps, but not to early CJ's with the model 18 tcase.
     
  9. Sep 7, 2017
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    Yes - this is one of the most popular topics, repeated over and over and over, like knuckle pudding.

    Search for "flat towing" - site:earlycj5.com flat towing - Bing
     
  10. Sep 7, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

    WA
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    Maybe it's time to make a "Sticky" regarding this subject and lock it.
     
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  11. Sep 7, 2017
    jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    Morgan Hill, Ca
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    I always just remove the rear drive shaft, mostly for my peace of mind.
     
  12. Sep 7, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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  13. Sep 7, 2017
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    Best, put it on a trailer
    Better, remove rear driveline
    Ok, trans in gear, tc in neutral
    Might get away with it, both in neutral
    Or just call AAA.:)
     
  14. Sep 7, 2017
    Karl Childers

    Karl Childers Member

    Taos New Mexico
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    Thanks for all the replies! Yeah sorry should have done the search, I've been guilty of that in the past on on other forums I will try to mend my ways here.
     
  15. Sep 7, 2017
    Focker

    Focker That's a terrible idea...What time? Staff Member

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    Don't worry about it... A sticky was long overdue.
     
  16. Sep 7, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    Focker your locked thread does not mention putting it in gear. Is that now a definitive or not?
     
  17. Sep 7, 2017
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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  18. Sep 7, 2017
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

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    My bad, I missed that. Sorry Focker.
     
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  19. Sep 8, 2017
    Snouts out

    Snouts out Member

    Covedale OH
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    According to the 1964 owners manual, The vehicle may be towed forward in the normal manner with out damage to the 4-wheel drive mechanism. The gears in both the transmission and the transfer case must be in their neutral positions. ,that's from the Kaiser Jeep Corporation!
     
  20. Sep 8, 2017
    Daryl

    Daryl Sponsor

    Bonney Lake, WA
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    That however was before years of learning that the input shaft and the main shaft can actually friction weld together. At first thought, that seems to make the most sense until you know the repercussions. I wouldn't ever flat tow anything that had any value as I have seen the real world disasters that often come with it.
     
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