How do I tow my 5spd 4x4 Ranger on a dolly?

[BillRod]

My daughter's Taurus broke down so I have to deliver my son's 88 ranger to her then bring her Taurus back here.

60 miles away up the Interstate.
The ranger is an 88, 2.9L 5Spd, 4x4, manual Tcase and hubs.

Can I tow it 60 miles with the rear wheels on the ground and the Dhsaft attached?

Can I just put the Tcase and Tranny in nuetral or is there another combination that would be better?

Thanks
Bill

 

[tanbuddy]

transmission in gear and transfer case in N, or just pull the driveshaft.

 

[Roger]

I pulled my 90 4x4 5 speed Ranger 600 miles on its rear wheels. Electric Tcase won't do neutral, but just dropped the 5 speed into neutral. No problem.

 

[AllanD]

the way FORD says to do it is:

Trans in GEAR (so it won't spin)
T-case in Neutral.

the T-case has an internal oil pump that's driven by the output shaft
If you allow the trans to spin it cannot oil some critical parts inside
the trans.

I've flat towed my own truck from Pennsylvania to Wyoming at 65-70mph

Even so I started it up and let it idle in neutral for half an hour at
each rest/meal stop.

Mostly to charge the battery because the satellite radio in my Ranger
was on so I could listen to it in the F-250 I was ferrying to Wyoming.
(the Ranger was my return trip)

You might also read this post which is the sticky at the top of the "towing" forum: http://204.14.93.181/forums/showthread.php?t=21597

AD

 

[cavallin32563]

Flat towing

While on the subject of towing, we flat towed a 94 B3000 long cab 4x2 5 spd behind a motorhome for three years ten years ago and only problems after 180k miles was a water pump and A/C. We just bought an 04 std cab Edge 4x2 3.0 5spd with every intention of piling on the towed miles. Both Motorhome Magazine and FoMoCo Ranger owner guide indicate "The maximum recommended speed is 55 mph" (key word recommended) and "unlimited distance". We usually travel around 60 mph give or take. Motorhome Magazine shows the same figures for 2002-2009. Bruce

 

[AllanD]

When towing in neutral the input gear, cluster gear and the gears
on the mainshaft remain stationary as they turn with the clutch/engine.

the output shaft however is spinning INSIDE those gears and is not being lubricated.

Reverse and 5th are splined to the mainshaft so they spin and that lubricates the floating gears for 5th and reverse that spin on the stationary "Tail" of the cluster gear.

Not withstanding the people who have done is without incident I
had TWO 3.0 2wd transmissions sales to people who towed a
2wd ranger behind a motor home and burned up the trans.

In both cases I managed to talk the customer into a 4x4 trans,
a 4x4 T-case and rear driveshaft.

Both found it more convenient (and cheaper) than one of those gimmick
"disconnectable" driveshafts they sell to RV people.
Not to mention that 2wd Low range is real handy for driving
around in the 5mph and 10mph speed limits usually found in
RV campgrounds.

AD

 

[Ozwynn]

When towing in neutral the input gear, cluster gear and the gears
on the mainshaft remain stationary as they turn with the clutch/engine.

the output shaft however is spinning INSIDE those gears and is not being lubricated.

Reverse and 5th are splined to the mainshaft so they spin and that lubricates the floating gears for 5th and reverse that spin on the stationary "Tail" of the cluster gear.

Not withstanding the people who have done is without incident I
had TWO 3.0 2wd transmissions sales to people who towed a
2wd ranger behind a motor home and burned up the trans.

In both cases I managed to talk the customer into a 4x4 trans,
a 4x4 T-case and rear driveshaft.

Both found it more convenient (and cheaper) than one of those gimmick
"disconnectable" driveshafts they sell to RV people.
Not to mention that 2wd Low range is real handy for driving
around in the 5mph and 10mph speed limits usually found in
RV campgrounds.

AD

thats a really good Idea. ofcourse I usually have 4wd but Allan knows his stuff.

 

[cavallin32563]

I stand advised, Alan. What time and expense would I be looking at to make the change? What is the difficulty level? Bruce