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What's the best way to tow a Ranger 4x4 with a manual transmission


greaseyfingers

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2007
Messages
340
Age
53
City
Crookston, Mn.
Vehicle Year
1987
Transmission
Manual
Is it OK to tow a 1990 Ranger 4x4 with a manual 5 speed transmission, a distance of 100 miles, by leaving the transfer case in 2 wheel drive and the transmission in neutral, without disconnecting the drive shaft?

Would the transmission and transfer case have gotten lubricated enough while being towed a distance of 100 miles, without damaging the tranny?
 
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Do you think it would have damaged a 1990 Ranger's 4x4 5 speed transmission very much, for lack of lubrication, if it was a towed a distance of 100 miles, with the transfer case being left in 2 wheel drive high range, instead of being put in neutral, while the transmission was in the neutral position?

Your website link, says the transfer case should be put in the neutral position, while towing a Ranger 4x4 and that the manual transmission should be left in gear.
 
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I would just go ahead and do it. If youre that worried about it, get a wrench and disconnect the rear driveshaft from the axle flangeand secure it properly . Problem solved.
 
I would remove the drive shaft. Then there will be no worries.
 
T-case in neutral trans in gear (Manual) or park (Auto).

What you've done in the past is in the past, do it RIGHT in the future.


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Do you think it would have damaged a 1990 Ranger's 4x4 5 speed transmission very much, for lack of lubrication, if it was a towed a distance of 100 miles, with the transfer case being left in 2 wheel drive high range, instead of being put in neutral, while the transmission was in the neutral position?

Your website link, says the transfer case should be put in the neutral position, while towing a Ranger 4x4 and that the manual transmission should be left in gear.

The only reason I can come up with is that if the T-Case would kick into gear the transmssion being in gear would lube itself. It would also be turning over the engine which would also lube itself.

Auto being park... there is no other way for you to know yould have a problem, and you would probably notice that you are trying to drag a truck in park.
 
Park will be fine.
 

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Seriously, with a manual tranny it doesn't matter much but you should do what the manual or AllanD says.
Automatics have issues being flat-towed because some of the innards are spinning but the pump isn't turning to lubricate them. This is why you should leave an automatic in Park and put the t-case in Neutral.
 
Park will be fine.

If you could cut a tire to fit that rim it would look really cool, like it is sunk in the pavement. :icon_twisted:
 
With the 5 speed I wouldnt think it would matter, if the front hubs are unlocked then T case in 2wd is fine no motion to the T case, tranny in neutral, the rearend is free rolling. I dont see any problem.
 
If you could cut a tire to fit that rim it would look really cool, like it is sunk in the pavement. :icon_twisted:
Pic is from the Sport Trac site. That actually happened the way you think. Dude tows his Sport Trac behind a large RV and forgot to take it out of Park.
 

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