Towbar for 96 Ranger XLT 4X4?

[cnord]

Anybody connected a towbar to their rig? I fab'd a towbar for an old Jeep and it worked great. I have 96 4x4 with the manual trans and manual xfer case/hubs.

Is there an easy way to defeat the ignition lock? I was thinking I could leave the key in, disabling the the lock and disconnect the battery. I would like to disable the lock altogether while towing and not have to leave in the key.

Comments?

Chris

 

[Grumpaw]

I don't/can't tow my Ranger with an auto unless I remove the drive shaft...
However, I am familiar with towing a vehicle "4 down" as I tow a Subaru behind our motor home, and have for almost 50,000 miles.
I would suggest you read and follow the instructions listed in your owners manual for "recreational towing" your 1996 Ranger.
It apparently can be towed "4 down" but you must follow their procedures. There listed for a reason...they know their drive trains.
If you deviate from them you risk damaging your vehicles drive train which = big bucks.
I can't see any reason to disable the ignition lock, and if your worried about your battery discharging there are many trickle chargers on the market that will hook your battery up to the tow vehicle to provide a charge while your towing.
If the Rangers ignition is anything like my Subi, the key must be in the ignition and ignition turned on to a certain position to unlock the steering. The steering must be unlocked to allow the towed vehicles front wheels to turn to "follow" the towing vehicle.
Just my 2 cents worth.
Grumpaw

 

[cnord]

the key must be in the ignition and ignition turned on to a certain position to unlock the steering. The steering must be unlocked to allow the towed vehicles front wheels to turn to "follow" the towing vehicle.

Yep - this is why I want to disable the lock and NOT leave in the key.

It apparently can be towed "4 down" but you must follow their procedures.

It's a non-issue I have a manual trans and manual xfercase - set both to neutral and good to go.

 

[Grumpaw]

The "lock" is a part of the cylinder. I believe the only way to disable the lock is to remove the ignition cylinder....
but then, how would you start it ? Your left with just a hole where the keyed cylinder went.
No way to "partially" disable an ignition key cylinder.
Just curious as to why your worried about leaving the key in the ignition ? If worried about theft do what thousands of us who tow our vehicles do...a good lock at one of the tow bar attachment points.
Grumpaw

 

[adsm08]

If you remove the steering wheel, clock spring, and start disassembling the column the shutter wheel for the steering lock should be in there, and you should be able to remove the wheel to permanently disable the lock.

It is an all or nothing proposition though.