Calgary Jeep Association

4x4 Related Groups => Tech Talk => Topic started by: dunl on February 28, 2012, 07:53:14 PM

Title: flat towing a TJ - 231/ax15
Post by: dunl on February 28, 2012, 07:53:14 PM
"Transfer case in neutral, tranny in forward gear (any), key in ignition, steering unlocked"

Is this the general consensus for this?  And does anyone know the reason for the tranny to be in gear?

Thanks.
Title: Re: flat towing a TJ - 231/ax15
Post by: AV.NINE on February 28, 2012, 08:02:36 PM
Quote from: dunl on February 28, 2012, 07:53:14 PM
"Transfer case in neutral, tranny in forward gear (any), key in ignition, steering unlocked"

Is this the general consensus for this?  And does anyone know the reason for the tranny to be in gear?

Thanks.

I never put mine in gear. Neutral/Neutral, key in, steering unlocked, and tow away.
Title: Re: flat towing a TJ - 231/ax15
Post by: dunl on February 28, 2012, 08:18:55 PM
Yeah...can't figure out the reason for recommending it to stay in gear.
Title: Re: flat towing a TJ - 231/ax15
Post by: AV.NINE on February 28, 2012, 09:39:43 PM
Quote from: dunl on February 28, 2012, 08:18:55 PM
Yeah...can't figure out the reason for recommending it to stay in gear.

No idea, Id be more worried about the tcase popping out of neutral with the jeep in gear.
Title: Re: flat towing a TJ - 231/ax15
Post by: cuzican on February 28, 2012, 09:59:04 PM
I previously found a fair bit of info on RV forums about Jeeps burning up when flat towed behind diesel RVs. I believe it had something to do with Tcase neutral detent and jeep coming out of neutral and then turning over the engine cause its in gear - no load on diesel and ultimately jeep catches fire.

Also recall if the tranny is left in neutral and left to spin it doesn't lubricate properly.

Anyways it was enough for me to spend the five minutes to unhook the rear DS, tape up the U joint and tie it up underneath the jeep with baling wire.

I believe Warn sells a D35 free wheeling kit for flat towing Wranglers.
Title: Re: flat towing a TJ - 231/ax15
Post by: hps4evr on February 28, 2012, 10:04:39 PM
the jist is the transfer case goes in neutral, which is fine because the fluid pump in the transfer case runs off the output shaft. a manual transmission's output shaft isnt lubricated in neutral, and if it spins for any reason it could cook the bearings. so they say to put the trans in gear so there's no way the output could spin accidentally.
hth
or what he said ;)