| Author |
Message |
Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (65.73.177.55)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 1:28 pm: | |
Has anyone any knowledge of whether an early Bronco can be towed all 4 down. I am looking at one of 1968 vintage which is a V8 with a 3 speed stick. Have read conflicting reports.
Peter. |
Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa) (171.75.99.101)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 4:04 pm: | |
Peter I see this question coming up all the time. Years ago I read an article in a RV magazine about towed vehicles. The author of the article said that the best vehicles to tow, 4 wheels down, were the 4 WD with lock out hubs. He said to put the transfer case in neutral and disengage the hubs.
If you stop and think about it the output shaft on a transfer case is turning all the time anyway, it is self oiling. The transmission doesn't matter. Nothing turns in there.
The all wheel drive and vehicles without lock-out hubs probably won't hold up. I don't know. I'm in the process of looking for a small 4 WD with lock-out hubs right now to pull behind my coach. I have a super-duty Ford F-250 with lock-out hubs but it is way too heavy. I want to stay below the 3500 lb limit on aux brakes.
If you can't get a commitment from the mfg.(Ford or whoever) then ask a wrecker driver if you know one you can trust. I had to have my truck towed in to the dealership once and the tow truck driver said to put the transfer case shift lever in neutral and leave the transmission in park. It was only about 10 mi. to the dealership.
I had a 67 Bronco, so I know what the set-up is on them and wouldn't hesitate. I know several people that tow older Jeeps the same way. From Ohio to Co. and back every year. The only other thing I would think about would be some kind of positive lock/linkage to make sure the shift lever doesn't jump into gear if you hit an uncapped well.
Later, Ed. |
Johnny (67.241.232.34)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 9:55 pm: | |
DO NOT TOW THIS BRONCO WITH THE HUBS DISENGAGED! The Dana 20 T-case (which this truck has) doesn't oil in neutral UNLESS the front output is turning. In other words, you want the tranny on 3rd gear, the T-case in neutral, and the front huibs LOCKED to tow 4-down. |
smoky (12.222.48.5)
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Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, May 11, 2003 - 11:54 pm: | |
Peter, No worries this is one of the most tow friendly vehicles you could purchase. Johnny does have a good point about towing with front hub engaged however I found a way around this over 10 years ago when I used a bronco of this vintage for off roading sometimes I would break a front axle shaft and had to tow with hubs disengaged if you overfill transfer case slightly through the lowest bolt hole in the rear extension housing the output will pickup oil and lube just fine the only other thing is to run a long hose from the vent up the fire wall which should already be done if you plan on using this fine machine in the way it was designed to be used currently our off road toy is a 1980 cj7 and I have overfilled the transfer case on it with no problems whatsoever
Smoky |
Peter Broadribb (Madbrit) (65.73.177.55)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, May 12, 2003 - 12:36 am: | |
Ed,
Not all transfer cases can be towed all four down. My old GMC part-time case could not. It has to do with oil supply to the output shaft bearing and seal, etc.
I too had a CJ7, mine had a V8 and a T-400 auto with, I think it was a model 18 or 20 T/case. I heard all sorts of recommendations of how to tow it. Even leaving one front hub locked in as it did not spin the internals at full road speed, but at a sorta "drag/friction" speed. I towed it 375 miles each way and had no trouble. Sold the Jeep as it rode so hard. It had a cheap lift-kit and it would have been nicer with a soft-ride instead. No hardtop either, the wind was so noisey.
Anyway, thanks for the advice guys. I am still trying to negotiate a reasonable price for this "project", as if I need another one..... LOL.
Peter. |