Towing home a ranger...

[rusty ol ranger]

87 ranger 2wd/5sp.

I was planning on using a uhaul dolly behind one of my F250s (prolly the 97).

I read through the sticky thread but couldnt really find a rock hard answer...

Im trying to figure out if a) i should put the back wheels on the dolly and tie the seat belt around the steering wheel b) load the front on the dolly and just tow it home in neutral, or c) load the front tires and yank the driveshaft.

I know pulling the driveshaft isnt hard, but i have a feeling its been on there since 1987 and i dont want to break a bolt or something. I know the owners book says 50 mile max at 35mph with the driveshaft connected, ill be going about 30 miles, but i dont always trust the owners book.

Leaving the steers on the ground makes me a bit nervous, but id figure with my F250 even if something broke and the wheels turned things shouldnt get to wonky as long as i run 45mph or so. But then again i dont really want to screw the column up.

Any input is apperciated.

 

[fastpakr]

If it was me, I'd shoot for option C first, then drop to B if I broke a bolt along the way. For the record, I've had pretty good luck getting driveshaft bolts out with a bit of spray and a decent socket.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

If it was me, I'd shoot for option C first, then drop to B if I broke a bolt along the way. For the record, I've had pretty good luck getting driveshaft bolts out with a bit of spray and a decent socket.

1/2 inch right? Its been a while.

Ill bring some PB and map torch, i kinda figured C was best

 

[fastpakr]

Newer ones are 12mm 12 point. I'm not sure about an '87?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Newer ones are 12mm 12 point. I'm not sure about an '87?

Ill just take the big 3 (7/16-1/2-9/16, 12,13,14) i havent been under a ranger in 10 years.

 

[fastpakr]

Make sure they're 12 point and strong.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Make sure they're 12 point and strong.

I got kobalts, havent failed me yet lol.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Sooo.... why don't people run the rear wheels up and tie off the steering like old school tow trucks did?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Well all worked out well. The guy rented me his 22ft car trailer with a winch for 40 bucks (which was 20 or 30 cheaper then the uhaul dolly), strapped er down and hauled ass, now the work begins.

 

[rangerenthiusiast]

Well all worked out well. The guy rented me his 22ft car trailer with a winch for 40 bucks (which was 20 or 30 cheaper then the uhaul dolly), strapped er down and hauled ass, now the work begins.

Hey, Rusty. Glad to hear it worked out so well for you! Out of curiosity, why would it be a bad idea to put the fronts up on a car dolly with the driveshafts attached? I know where there’s a parts truck that I was thinking about picking up and just figured that if I did, I’d make sure the rear wheels weren’t locked up, top off the rear diff oil, use a come along to get her up on the dolly (probably a total pain in the @ss), put the shifter in neutral, then gently tow her home. Bad idea?

Thanks and good luck with your project!

 

[adsm08]

Hey, Rusty. Glad to hear it worked out so well for you! Out of curiosity, why would it be a bad idea to put the fronts up on a car dolly with the driveshafts attached? I know where there’s a parts truck that I was thinking about picking up and just figured that if I did, I’d make sure the rear wheels weren’t locked up, top off the rear diff oil, use a come along to get her up on the dolly (probably a total pain in the @ss), put the shifter in neutral, then gently tow her home. Bad idea?

Thanks and good luck with your project!

It's a lot rougher on an auto than a manual, but basically it's because when you tow with the rear wheels on the ground some part of the trans has to be turning, but the parts that move the lubricating fluids through a transmission are all spun by the engine, and so they aren't moving any lubricating fluids when the engine isn't turning. That will cook a transmission real quick.

It's easier on a 4x4 with a transfer case that can be put in N, because the t-case oil pumps are driven by the output shaft.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

It's a lot rougher on an auto than a manual, but basically it's because when you tow with the rear wheels on the ground some part of the trans has to be turning, but the parts that move the lubricating fluids through a transmission are all spun by the engine, and so they aren't moving any lubricating fluids when the engine isn't turning. That will cook a transmission real quick.

It's easier on a 4x4 with a transfer case that can be put in N, because the t-case oil pumps are driven by the output shaft.

Bingo. Its not hard to pull the driveshaft, alot eaiser then changing a transmission.

 

[racsan]

i towed one on a 2 wheel dolly once, truck would run so i just let it idle in neutral for the entire trip, was only about 15 miles and i didnt go over 45 with it.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

i towed one on a 2 wheel dolly once, truck would run so i just let it idle in neutral for the entire trip, was only about 15 miles and i didnt go over 45 with it.

Unfourtantly, mine wasnt running lol