Transfer Case gurus. Another flat-towing question.

[kiwidog]

TC in neutral towing

I think Poser is right there are only four bolts to safety.
However it is probably not necessary to remove the rear drive shaft if you have 2WD neutral.
The bushing in the high/low output gears don't seem to get worn out by turning they get worn out from not turning.
Counterintuitive but thats what seems to happen.
I just replace the bushing on the high speed gear which doesn't turn on the output shaft in high range it turns with it. The low range gear turns on the shaft all the time you are in high range and it doesn't get worn out from turning. This assuming you drive in high range more than low range. As an aside. My 1980 FJ40 has been in low range for the last 20 years 95% of the time. That is it's an unregistered farm trail 40 and snow plow
So if you flat tow in 2WD neutral the output shaft turns in both bushings which is good if you believe that the bushing are worn out from not turning on the output rather than turning.
If it was mine and I was towing it 30 or 40 miles I wouldn't take the rear shaft off. However if it was 100 miles I would remove the shaft just for the peace of mind I didn't leave the TC and transmission in gear.

See post pictures of the worn high speed gear bushing in a one piece TC

https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-seri...ing-bushing-high-speed-gear-one-piece-tc.html

Just another opinion

Thanks jb

 

[Poser]

I have repaired the destruction to customers transfer cases because something got into gear at speed and created all sorts of drama. Sure, it will not happen to you. I am certain they thought the same thing.




Removing the rear drive shaft is removing any doubt that any damage will occur to the gearboxes because of flat towing.

It really is just too easy.



Four bolts....






.

 

[BrianSanDiego]

Good point Big P.

Thanks for the explanation and pics Kiwi. Much appreciated.

Well it looks like there is really no "right" answer. I'm glad now that I understand just how it all works, and can make a decision from there.

Regards,
Brian.

 

[Poser]

Well it looks like there is really no "right" answer.

Yes there is:


Purchase a trailer, and forget about this flat-towing nonsense.

 

[BrianSanDiego]

LOL!

no doubt

 

[vk7ybi]

So vk7ybi, you have a great grasp on how it works, and have probably have had the individual parts in your hands... would you flat tow your 40 in neutral?

The chance that something could jump into gear is the only reason I would not flat tow with the drive shaft connected..

 

[shelfboy1]

i have flat towed over 50 fj40s over a 38 year period and have never had a problem ,from a few miles to a few hundred and never disconnected a drive shaft .always put them in neutral and away we went .i did repair one that was towed from calif and popped into gear and was towed that that way,but it ruined the 4 speed on a 1 year old fj40.the smart way would be those 4 little bolts or a trailer.but my trailer weighs 3000lbs so why haul the extra weight.just go slow around turns ,i like to pull the towed truck through the turn.igeuss i have been lucky over the years i wonder why the military has so many tow bars ?

 

[BrianSanDiego]

Thanks guys.
Now I'm wondering what would cause it to pop into gear. Maybe the tub moving around enough to hit the shift lever? Or some junk from the interior falling on it? I guess something like that is possible, but preventable. I might take the Sawzall to the tranny hump for a little extra clearance

 

[lostinafog]

an other option for towed vehicle
unified brake control you apply the brakes on the towing vehicle it applies brakes on towed vehle.
not cheep but the only way to safely flat tow besides most states require brake application on any towed unit past 3000Lb do think a 40 is a weeee bit past that


Towing Laws | BrakeBuddy - Braking systems for motorhomes towing a vehicle

IMHO short trip leave it connected T case is fully lubed by gear rotation
shifter being some how thrown it to gear well don`t put sheet in the area or you have t case issues worn broken shifter rail detent ball springs etc etc .

long tow been said before-------- it`s ONLY FOUR BOLTS