neutral towing kit

[jimsea]

Hi Guys
I have a 03 ranger xlt 4x4 that I would like to tow behind a motorhome.
ford says the neutral towing kit only works in the 04 and up
Is there a big difference in the transfer case between the 03 and 04?
Will the 04 transfer case fit in my 03 if I have to go that route?
Thanks in advance
Jim

 

[martin]

I don't know the answer but if the t-case was put into neutral it should allow the rear to spin while still lubricating the tcase but I don't know what would be happening on the front end with the live axle, assuming you want to flat tow it.

 

[Bent Bolt]

I don't have time right now but I'll find out and post here about the availability of a neutral tow option for your truck.

 

[jimsea]

I don't have time right now but I'll find out and post here about the availability of a neutral tow option for your truck.

Thanks

 

[Jspafford]

If for some reason you have to end up swapping out a different year transfer case to make the kit work, you might as well swap in a manual transfer case and then all you have to do it jerk the lever back into N and tow away.

 

[Bent Bolt]

According to Ford TSB 06-7-1, 04 & 05 Ranger with manual trans can be towed with trans in neutral and transfer case in 2wd, auto trans CANNOT be towed.

Then it says 06 Ranger can be towed with kit 3L2Z-7H332-AA regardless of trans type. No mention of 03 and earlier or 07 and later.

Interestingly, it lists Explorer Sport Trac as neutral tow capable up to 05.

All these vehicles use the same B-W 13-54 transfer case. So long story short, I'm sure your Ranger can be neutral towed with the 3L2Z-7H332-AA kit installed even though it's not listed as being able to.

 

[Jspafford]

So do you have a switch to flip of how does the t-case go into neutral.

I like Chebby's because you can hold the 2H and 4L buttons and it will drop into Neutral.

 

[jimsea]

According to Ford TSB 06-7-1, 04 & 05 Ranger with manual trans can be towed with trans in neutral and transfer case in 2wd, auto trans CANNOT be towed.

Then it says 06 Ranger can be towed with kit 3L2Z-7H332-AA regardless of trans type. No mention of 03 and earlier or 07 and later.

Interestingly, it lists Explorer Sport Trac as neutral tow capable up to 05.

All these vehicles use the same B-W 13-54 transfer case. So long story short, I'm sure your Ranger can be neutral towed with the 3L2Z-7H332-AA kit installed even though it's not listed as being able to.

Thanks Bent bolt
Will head back to dealer, I think they tried to tell me the t-cases are
different. thanks again good info. I believe the kit includes a new switch
and new switch plate with a neutral position.
Thanks again
Jim

 

[Bent Bolt]

I may have spoke to soon. The neutral tow kit plugs into a connector under the dash. Rangers that are listed as non-compatable may not have that connector. I'd still look into it though. The kit is only about $40.00 plus installation.

 

[theecigarman]

How about towing a4x4 98 auto w/4.0. Can I just change the hubs to manual and flat tow that way with shifting the trans into neutral? Thanks,

 

[jimsea]

How about towing a4x4 98 auto w/4.0. Can I just change the hubs to manual and flat tow that way with shifting the trans into neutral? Thanks,

Don't think so, your drive line would be driving your t-case from the rear
and the seals don't like to work that way. Don't know if you can get
manual hubs for the rear axials.meant to say t-case would be driving
tranny from the rear and there would be a lube problem.
Remco makes a lube pump for towing auto transmissions

 

[Bent Bolt]

How about towing a4x4 98 auto w/4.0. Can I just change the hubs to manual and flat tow that way with shifting the trans into neutral? Thanks,

If you -- or anyone else -- has a manual t-case, it can be flat towed with no problems. The Rangers and explorer t-case's have a oil pump that's driven by the output shaft. Put the t-case in neutral and away you go.
Putting a manual trans in neutral doesn't cut it because the rear driveline will spin the trans output shaft. The problem with that is a manual trans receives it's lube from the countershaft which is driven by the input shaft which is driven by the engine. The trans output shaft will starve for oil if flat towed.

 

[theecigarman]

If you -- or anyone else -- has a manual t-case, it can be flat towed with no problems. The Rangers and explorer t-case's have a oil pump that's driven by the output shaft. Put the t-case in neutral and away you go.
Putting a manual trans in neutral doesn't cut it because the rear driveline will spin the trans output shaft. The problem with that is a manual trans receives it's lube from the countershaft which is driven by the input shaft which is driven by the engine. The trans output shaft will starve for oil if flat towed.

So is there a kit to convert the transfer case, which is shift on the fly with no choice for neutral (2hi, 4hi, 4low). Or would I need to go with some thing like the remco tranny kit and manual locking hubs? It would be great if I could get the hubs and replace a switch with a little work. Thanks for the input.

 

[Bent Bolt]

So is there a kit to convert the transfer case, which is shift on the fly with no choice for neutral (2hi, 4hi, 4low). Or would I need to go with some thing like the remco tranny kit and manual locking hubs? It would be great if I could get the hubs and replace a switch with a little work. Thanks for the input.

No kit avail for your truck. The only option for you is to convert to a manual transfer case.

 

[jimsea]

No kit avail for your truck. The only option for you is to convert to a manual transfer case.

What do you think it would cost to convert to a manual t-case?
I am in the So.West area, can you recommend a few shops that could
do this change over
Thanks in advance
Jim