How to flat tow a 88 4 runner

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pilot

pilot

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OK last one. My trailer just got vandalized at a job site, and I have a run this weekend about 2 hours away. Question. I am going to flat tow the 4 runner and was wondering about the trans and transer case. (J&*PS) require the transfer case to be in nuetral, and the trans in 1st gear. What are the proper setting for flat towing a 1988 4 runner w/ W-56 trans. Thanks again, Mike
 
D/C the DS.

and FYI, if you put any Toyota in "N" the TC is locked front axle to back, but is truly in "N" from the TC to the transmission.


That's how I used to warm up my tranns, along with my motor
 
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Allow me to translate the Hilux gibberish. By "D/C the DS", he means "disconnect the driveshaft". Stick around here long enough and you'll learn his special code.

If it were me, I would unbolt the rear driveshaft at the axle, tie it up to the frame with a ratchet strap.
 
Good deal, I appriciate the info. I just wanted to make sure before I did something dumb and melt a transfer/trans. Thanks
 
OK Just for my own info. Knowing that the tcase when in N actually locks up the F and R driveshafts as HILUX said. What if for a short tow (less than 10 miles)... Leave the Tcase in 2wd and then leave the Trans in N, would that hurt anything in the Trans as far as lubrication?? Knowing the tcase will turn when I am pulling, but the trans in Neutral. Will there be a lubricating issue with the trans.. I think this is a good question for the pro's out there. I am going to be taking off the rear shaft, but I was just wondering for my own info... Thanks again
 
The best thing all round, is to drop a shaft. If I only had the tranny in "N" I'd worry about a bump possibly knocking it in gear. And if you've ever "speed shifted" (not using the clutch) just imagine the shifter sitting there waiting to drop down into gear, and then sometime during driving the syncros match, and it does.


Like lightning strikes, I'm sure that has never happened. But I bet it could. Look friend, we're all lazy. None of us want to drop a shaft. But it's part of life and we all do it.
 
Hilux said:
Like lightning strikes, I'm sure that has never happened. But I bet it could. Look friend, we're all lazy. None of us want to drop a shaft. But it's part of life and we all do it.
Click to expand...

It can happen, and it has happened. It happened to my friend Bud (Budbuilt) when he was flat towing an old turbo truck home from the local junkyard. He figured it was only a couple of miles, so he'd just put it in N and go. Popped into gear, but he didn't know it. Shredded a bunch of expensive parts in the R151F. So he got to rebuild it.
 
some body else was towing an 82 or 83 IIRC and the TC just "blew up". I suspect something had to help it b/c I've never heard of a Toyota TC just "blowing up".

I can't remember the thread, but he showed chunks of the TC case and the hole in it.

Something about a whooop sound and a loud bang...
 
When I flat tow mine, I take the rear driveshaft out completely, only take maybe ten minutes and you can double check other things while you are down there. I also make sure the front hubs are unlocked, the tranny and transfer cases are all in neutral and the key is turned to ACC to unlock the steering wheel. I also disconnect the battery so as to not drain it while the key is in the ACC position. Then hook up the tow lights and tow bar. Also make sure you take the ebrake off before you tow, been there, done that :)

I have towed mine about 45-60 minutes away and have been up to 70 mph with it, but it starts to sway a bit, so I usually keep it around 65 mph and have no problems.
 
so what is the Neutral for that is on the 4x4 shifter knob if its not for towing?
 
PTO, iirc. A 5speed PTO:D


The (Tranny) case might not have been made with it (PTO), but I believe the option of "N" was a carry-over from the old transfer cases.


Remember, some transfer cases don't even have a "N". You can still put the TC in "N" but there is no space with a feeler thing (detent?) in it, and there is no "N" on the diagram.

But it's still there.

If it's ubber dubber cold outside, I'll warm up my Tranny along with my motor.
 
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i am still sooooooooooooooo lost!
 
maybe this will help.....
























it's not important! forget about it! Move on!:D

IIR, some TCs had a PTO provision, and in order to get power to the TC, via transmission, how can you do that and keep the vehicle stationary?

"N":D

IMO, all Toyota did was forget to delete this option, only they didn't think to do it until after they cast the new cases w/o a PTO provision.
 
Yes you could tow it with the T-case in N. but I would not do it very far or fast... It's just too iffy...

Bottom line: If you want to flat tow, pull the rear drive shaft off, and make sure the front hubs are unlocked. it's that simple! :cheers:
 
I always set the parking brake, put the trans in reverse, and the transfer case in low. :flipoff2:






:rolleyes:

disconnect the rear shaft. put the transfer in neutral. hook up the magnet lights for towing. tow it.
 
once you disconnect the DS, everything else is trivial....:confused:


Y'all do whatever you want, but trust me, it's pointless:flipoff2:


Tranny in gear, out. TC in Low/ High. Hubs locked/ unlocked...Rear DS dropped, and on a tow dolly, it's all good, just more work on your part.



If you want to be safety conscious. After the DS drop, (Manual trans) just lock the hubs and put everything IN gear. That way, if she pops off the dolly, she'll compression break to a stop. AT, and you're outta luck there.
 
Hilux said:
once you disconnect the DS, everything else is trivial....:confused:


Y'all do whatever you want, but trust me, it's pointless:flipoff2:
Click to expand...

Only takes a second to put everything in neutral and double check the hubs, so why not.

If I had a tow dolly I would lock the steering straight and load the 4 Runner backwards with the front hubs unlocked and not bother with anything else.
 
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