flat tow 4wd

[mosher41]

guys,
I am looking to tow my 04 XLT 4.0 auto, 4wd behind the motor home. Ford offers a neutral tow kit part # 3L2Z-7H332-AA. Our local dealer says NO.... any ideas here guys

 

[mattpresley]

guys,
I am looking to tow my 04 XLT 4.0 auto, 4wd behind the motor home. Ford offers a neutral tow kit part # 3L2Z-7H332-AA. Our local dealer says NO.... any ideas here guys

Rent a small flatbed trailer from Uhaul. CHeap and the best way to go for the ranger

 

[Big Jim M]

I have towed all makes of 4x4's over the years. But they all had a neutral in the transfer case. If you can get that transfer case in neutral that would be my choice instead of that u-haul trailer. I always put the transfer case in neutral and the real transmission in PARK or LOW if it is a stick shift. Thataway I know for sure the transfer case is truly in neutral.
Big JIm

 

[Jspafford]

If there is a neutral kit for the transfer case, ask ford to explain why it won't work on your truck. Then go to another dealer and ask them. If you get the same answer twice, they are probably right and I wouldn't want to risk it.

 

[Nhaz]

If you are really worried about it. Dropping the drive shafts isn't all that hard. and pretty much guarantee's you won't have problems.

 

[AllanD]

I have towed all makes of 4x4's over the years. But they all had a neutral in the transfer case. If you can get that transfer case in neutral that would be my choice instead of that u-haul trailer. I always put the transfer case in neutral and the real transmission in PARK or LOW if it is a stick shift. Thataway I know for sure the transfer case is truly in neutral.
Big JIm

the specified proceedure is T-case in neutral transmission
in Gear (manual) pr Park (auto)

I've towed my own truck from my home in pennsylvania
to my brother's place in Wyoming.

Flat towed I have permanantly mounted tow bar brackets on my truck, T-case in neutral trans in gear.

AD

 

[Ranger97XL]

If you are really worried about it. Dropping the drive shafts isn't all that hard. and pretty much guarantee's you won't have problems.

ditto, best way to guarantee nothing happens

 

[Will]

guys,
I am looking to tow my 04 XLT 4.0 auto, 4wd behind the motor home. Ford offers a neutral tow kit part # 3L2Z-7H332-AA. Our local dealer says NO.... any ideas here guys

See if >>THIS<< helps. Looks like that kit is for 2006+ trucks. And earlier trucks may have something added that wasn't there back when most of our trucks were built. It's very confusing and I am in the remove the driveshaft camp on this unless I saw what it was that allows you to put an electric-controlled t-case in 2-hi and tow it with the manual tranny in neutral. Did they move the lube pump in the t-case?

 

[mosher41]

sorry guys I should have worded it different, Ford Dealer says he can't get the part. and I am not even sure how it works or what it really does....not into taking drive shaft out. We use a saturn now but it is getting tired

 

[84stealthranger]

its just 4 bolts well on mine it is should be the same idk keep the socket with u or in the truck u dont have to take it out just tie it up under there or zip tie it good not much and its free

 

[Will]

sorry guys I should have worded it different, Ford Dealer says he can't get the part. and I am not even sure how it works or what it really does....not into taking drive shaft out. We use a saturn now but it is getting tired

I don't think it will work on a 2004, according to that TSB, is what I'm saying. I found this:

Have 07 4x4 Auto Supercab. Ranger
Dealer installed "neutral kit", actually just a LED indicator light ($25) and dealer computer programming. My dealer charged $110 for the install with kit.
Brake: Ready Brute+ w/BlueOx baseplate, only way to go, IMHO.
2009 Tow Guide shows same kit I have...3L2Z-7H332-AA

It leads me to believe there is something different about your truck from the later trucks. Maybe the electric shift motor can be put into neutral with this kit. You can definately order it. I found it by googling the part number. I saw one on Ebay, too, but was using just the 7H332 and didn't verify the rest.

 

[mosher41]

Guys thanks for all of the responses....the only way to tow this truck flat is to put a drive shaft coupler in it REMCO makes one for a cool 1200 beans. Probobly go that route. THANKS AGAIN for the direction

 

[David Moore]

Ford Neutral Tow Kit

According to Ford, the neutral tow kit can be ordered in March but is not expected to be availabe until April. None are available on the Ford locator, even tried in Canada. I'm waiting for one for a 2010 Explorer. We may end up renting a trailer......or leaving the darn thing in the desert!

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Put a Shiftster on it....it has a neutral locking position.

 

[basilfaulty]

This kit is no longer available from Ford. It consisted of a computer reflash a decal and an LED light to indicate it was in neutral. The reflash told the computer that if a certain sequence of events happened the electric shift motor would shift the transfer case into the neutral position (between 4 hi and 4 lo), the decal was instructions for the proper sequence of events to put it in neutral and the LED confirmed it was in neutral. From what I understand the kit is no longer available because the company the wrote the reflash program was now in a dispute with Ford and no longer makes the program available. The program was not downloadable to a disc and was available for a fee per use and VIN coded. If Ford ever settles the dispute it will probablt again be available. For now you could take the shift motor off and manually shift into neutral or do as I do remove the rear shaft. If I get somewhere along the way and need to drive the Ranger I just put it in 4 hi and drivr it in front wheel drive....if I am going to drive a long distance it is easy enough to put the shaft back in.