How do I tow my new Cruiser home?

[kcoyle]

Hello and help. My name is Kevin I am a potential fj60 owner. Problem is that the fj60 I want doesn't run and I need to tow it home about 60 miles. Can I put this on a car dolly with 2 wheels off the ground and tow it with a GMC 1500 longbed, or do I need to have all 4 wheels of the ground. If 2 wheels is OK, can it be the front wheels on the dolly or rear wheels on the dolly?

Any help would be greatly appreciated as time is an issue with the seller and more importantly with the pregnant wife who is understanding to a point and due any week now.

Thanks
Kevin

 

[FJ40Jim]

Kevin,

welcome to mud.

The best thing to do w/ the dolly tow is disconnect the rear d-shaft at the diff. That way the rear wheels are not spinning the transfer and transmission (in 2HI, tranny N) or turning the bottom half of the case and the front d-shft and diff (4N, N).

GL!

 

[Icefire]

I towed a HJ60 with the same configuration of truck as you are talking about, my suggestions are to mark the rear driveshaft, then drop it, put the front wheels on the dolly. Towed back find at 60 mph.

 

[FJ60Cam]

Just curious, as I was talking to someone about this the other day... why the need to pull the driveshaft?

Does towing/coasting cause problems with the t-case/trans that doesn't happen while driving it under it's own power? ... besides adding mileage to the truck?

 

[FJ40Jim]

No definitive need to pull the d-shaft.

Just a good idea because:
When the tranny is driving the truck down the road, all gears are turning together.
When the tranny is in N and tires are on the ground, the tiny bearing located up high (above oil level) in the tranny, between the (now stationary) input gear and the 60MPH main shaft is turning.

When the transfer is in Hi-range and vehicle is driving down the road, tranny output shaft and tranny output gear are turning together at 60MPH.
When transfer in in N and tires on the ground, the bushing between (stationary) output gear and output shaft is spinning at 60MPH.

 

[CruisinFJ60]

Just curious, as I was talking to someone about this the other day... why the need to pull the driveshaft?

Does towing/coasting cause problems with the t-case/trans that doesn't happen while driving it under it's own power? ... besides adding mileage to the truck?

no it doesnt. but it does pose a saftey problem...

if the shifter were to fall into gear from the vibrations of the road it could start the truck, or sit and just keep spinning it over. if it fell into first your motor would be toast, if it had no oil it would again be toast, if you wnt to stop it would be pushing you if it was running while in gear.

i have done it before with it in gear and had no problems. but again for safety reasons it is recomended to pull the DS


when you go to get you new cruiser bring a 12mm wrench and 2 14mm wrenches as im not sure what year your truck is and if it is an early model or late model.

early models use a 12 and a 14 bolt/ nut combo and the later model 60 and 62 uses a 14mm bolt/ nut combo. also it the driveshaft bolts have been replaced the 14mm/ 12mm combo has been superceded to the 14mm/ 14mm combo.

enjoy!

 

[FJ60Cam]

Thanks!

 

[kcoyle]

Outstanding gentlemen. Thanks!
It is an 85 with a leaking gas tank/pump/lines????
I haven't seen it yet but I can only make one trip to get it, so I want to be prepared.
I'm already in deep poo with the wife.
Great forum you guys have here. Ill let you know what happens either way. Thanks again.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

Outstanding gentlemen. Thanks!
It is an 85 with a leaking gas tank/pump/lines????
I haven't seen it yet but I can only make one trip to get it, so I want to be prepared.
I'm already in deep poo with the wife.
Great forum you guys have here. Ill let you know what happens either way. Thanks again.

Let us know how it goes. Sometimes the story of getting your cruiser back home makes it that much more enjoyable. A lot of people have had some crazy adventures.

 

[calphi27]

Due you have AAA? I picked up a project cruiser that way. The driver backed up the driveway, lowered his bed, and winched a motorless fj60 onto the bed. He then dropped the cruiser off into my garage. I didn't even lift a finger.

 

[kcoyle]

Due you have AAA? I picked up a project cruiser that way. The driver backed up the driveway, lowered his bed, and winched a motorless fj60 onto the bed. He then dropped the cruiser off into my garage. I didn't even lift a finger.

That is sheer genuis.

Maybe I should invest in AAA.

 

[NocalFJ60]

That is sheer genuis.

Maybe I should invest in AAA.

Welcome to mud.

It is possible but there is a waiting period before you can call for service once you sign up for AAA. Just ask them if you call. Also the different levels will only allow so many towed miles.

 

[jpeg]

Welcome to mud.

It is possible but there is a waiting period before you can call for service once you sign up for AAA. Just ask them if you call. Also the different levels will only allow so many towed miles.

last week my sweetie was stuck on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. i called aaa and they added to my policy right then and there, no waiting period. if you get the "plus" membership ($100/yr) they'll tow up to 100 miles. plus you get discounts galore at a variety of stores (see their website) so it's totally worth the money!

 

[NocalFJ60]

last week my sweetie was stuck on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. i called aaa and they added to my policy right then and there, no waiting period. if you get the "plus" membership ($100/yr) they'll tow up to 100 miles. plus you get discounts galore at a variety of stores (see their website) so it's totally worth the money!

What do you mean added? So you were already a AAA member or you added towing to your auto insurance? That is good to know I enjoyed the discounts when I was a AAA member too. I think the waiting period is for new members.

 

[Randy88FJ62]

If you are not a AAA member it takes about a week for their services to apply. Ask me how I know...

 

[zuluzeugma]

If you are not a AAA member it takes about a week for their services to apply. Ask me how I know...

How do you know?

 

[Randy88FJ62]

My fuel pump failed and I inquired with AAA to see if I could get a plan immediately and they said it would take a week. I had to have family that already had AAA come over and tow my truck home.

 

[Spike Strip]

It takes a week to add the Plus coverage to AAA -- I added it to my existing basic membership and waited the week to tow the cruiser home ~~ 75 miles. But it was worth the wait not to have to rent a dolly and tow it myself.

The wait was in CAlif... AAA may have different policies in different States - Best to call.

S.

 

[kcoyle]

I checked the AAA website and I don't think I can wait/afford to do it. I am on a super tight budget with a new baby on the way. I basically had a fire sale the last 6 months to save up some money and of course the wife isnt happy, even though I think I am getting a deal on this truck.

However I think I may be able to call in a bunch O'favors and get a friend of a friend to help me out. He has a HD pickup with a full trailer and he's a real talented mechanic to boot. He restores everything from Model T's and up.

Just waiting to hear back.

 

[Spike Strip]

Good luck. Auto trailer should do it... Just realize these are heavy...

Pix when she's home!