| Author |
Message |
CoryDane RTSII IL (198.29.191.148)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 6:58 am: | |
I have a 96 GMC JIMMY/w 4WD. I have the one where you push the button on the dash and the system uses vacuum to shift to 4WD.
I was driving down the road the other day and saw a tow truck towing a similar vehicle, back end up, front wheels on the ground.
Is this a proper way to tow this vehicle or is there some kind of prep that must occur first?
Perhaps this would be a good item to have as a page, towable vehicles.
If I can't tow this what are you using as a toad? Why are some cars such a problem or impossible to tow down the road?
I miss the old days when you just shift to neutral and go.....cd |
jmaxwell (66.42.92.16)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 10:57 am: | |
The S 10/S 15 with the smaller auto trans is not recommended for 4 down towing. I don't know the model of the trans that won't tow without mods (Remco pump or disconnect). Remco can answer your question as to whether u can or not. Generally, stick shifts with elec./vacuum transferring hubs can be towed in Neutral on the trans. and 2wd on the transfer case. Personally, I don't trust the fluid pumps on the Remco system and that is why I went out and bought a factory recommended towable Ranger 4x4, although Ranger was not my 1st choice in trucks. I had 2 Remco pumps that failed within 1 yr. on a Chevy car that I towed. |
Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy) (66.190.119.82)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 11:09 am: | |
Cory, I have a 99 Tahoe which should be very similiar to your 96 GMC. It is 4WD with electronic/pushbutton shift. I do not know if it is vacuum or not. It is easy to shift to neutral for four down (flat) towing.
The method to shift my Tahoe to neutral is not listed in the index of the owners manual. You really need to search the owners manual, page by page to find it.
I found it in a section titled 'Automatic Transfer Case (if equipped)' in section 2 of the manual. Sub-section 'Shifting to Neutral' and 'Shifting out of Neutral' is included in this section.
Richard |
Mike Mccarthy (152.163.188.227)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 2:54 pm: | |
Maybe I'm wrong, but I thought the problem with flat towing was related to heat build-up from the driveshaft turning without the tranny fluid being circulated thru radiator.Then again, you have the same issue with any Automatic Toad, 2 or 4WD. Does anyone know the true issue? I have a 79' Bronco, automatic, with lock out hubs...and would like to tow it to Cape Cod...(Dunes!!!) |
CoryDane RTSII IL (198.29.191.147)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 4:48 pm: | |
Hey guys,
I have a tow dolly, even though I would like to tow on all four, I can tow with the dolly.
I saw a tow truck lift a GMC JIMMY like mine and tow it with the front wheels down. I could go that way too if it won't damage anything.
Richard Bowyer, I will lookin the manual soon as i get a chance and see if the part you are talking about is in there. It would be great to tow on all four but if not, if I can tow with the front down would be great too.
Anyone with any other ideas other then buying a Ford, then speak up, we are all listening. cd |
Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (170.215.36.61)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, May 24, 2002 - 7:30 pm: | |
The main problem is the lack of internal lubrication to the output bearing and other internal parts of the transfer case or transmission. Some people use an overfill kit and a pump-out system, but they are not highly recommended and have been known to fail in their objective.
The only way to be sure if you can flat or dolly tow your vehicle is to check the owner's handbook and read it from cover to cover. I was told that our 2001 Dakota 4x4 could not be flat towed, but I found a section in the handbook, which was not in the index, and found I can tow it all 4 down. My local Ford Dealer told me that most new Fords can be flat towed, with Dealer reprogramming of the transmission, apart from the little trucks, but before anyone screams, I was only researching the 4x4 transmissions. Most stick shifts will tow as well, BUT some can't, so beware.
Hondamatics used to be listed as towable, but now Honda does not recommend it, although they have not made any changes, it was just a Corporate decision.
In short, read the book thoroughly, just because the guy in the RV down the street gets away with it doesn't mean you will.
Peter. |
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