Flat Towing 94 Ranger

[KevinJ]

I have a 94 Ranger 2WD, 2.3L, 5 speed manual. I am interested in flat towing it behind an RV and the owner's manual says that this is okay, but doesn't say anything at all about the fact that it has a locking steering wheel and whether anything needs to be done with it. I've towed other vehicles behind my RV before and the steer tires need to be "unlocked" so that they can follow the RV around corners. I can turn the ignition switch to unlock the steering, but if I did, wouldn't I need to disconnect the battery or pull a fuse or something to keep the battery from running down? Anybody have any experience with this issue?
Thanks for any help.

 

[franklin2]

Don't you have the white button underneath the steering column that you have to push? If you do, turn the key to run, then turn it back all the way without pushing the button. The ignition should be off, but the steering wheel should be loose. It only locks if you push the button and keep turning the key back.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

I have a 94 Ranger 2WD, 2.3L, 5 speed manual. I am interested in flat towing it behind an RV and the owner's manual says that this is okay, but doesn't say anything at all about the fact that it has a locking steering wheel and whether anything needs to be done with it. I've towed other vehicles behind my RV before and the steer tires need to be "unlocked" so that they can follow the RV around corners. I can turn the ignition switch to unlock the steering, but if I did, wouldn't I need to disconnect the battery or pull a fuse or something to keep the battery from running down? Anybody have any experience with this issue?
Thanks for any help.

Franklin has the right idea. Your ignition switch has five positions, as follows:

• Accessory
• Lock
• Off
• Run
• Start

Off is the same as Lock, except that the steering wheel is not locked. Power to everything except lights is OFF. Power to lights doesn't run through the ignition switch.

As Franklin says, turn the key to OFF. You will need to leave the key in the ignition.

Don't you have the white button underneath the steering column that you have to push? If you do, turn the key to run, then turn it back all the way without pushing the button. The ignition should be off, but the steering wheel should be loose. It only locks if you push the button and keep turning the key back.

Nope. That white button under the steering column went away in 1989. From 1989 to 1995 there is a small black button near the ignition switch that can be reached with your thumb as you turn the key. This button only exists on trucks with manual transmissions (which his is).

 

[KevinJ]

Thanks to all three of you...I went out to the truck and checked out the key positions and sure enough, I can leave it off but unlocked. I do appreciate your responses!