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Flat Towing - Trying to separate facts from all the hype

Discussion in 'Intermediate CJ-5/6/7/8' started by bjbear, Mar 14, 2012.

  1. Mar 15, 2012
    Gigem1983

    Gigem1983 Member

    Ft Worth, Texas
    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2010
    Messages:
    55
    My 75 TCM has instructions for towing jeeps with automatic transmissions but I don't find any instructions for manual transmissions. I'v towed my 75 model (manual CJ) for a distance of 250 miles on at least dozen trips with both TC and tranny in neutral but may reconsider how I do this in the future.
     
  2. Mar 16, 2012
    steve1973

    steve1973 Member

    Nolensville, TN
    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2011
    Messages:
    89
    The owners manual and TSM for 1973 are exactly the same as what you have scanned into your document. if yo uwant, i will scan and send it.
     
  3. Mar 16, 2012
    bjbear

    bjbear New Member

    Cold Lake,...
    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2012
    Messages:
    28
    Thanks steve1973. No need to scan it. I will just make note in the document that it applies to both 1973 and 1974. Thanks!!
     
  4. Mar 16, 2012
    0IIII0

    0IIII0 Nibblin' on sponge cake..

    Tempe, Arizona
    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2006
    Messages:
    384
    This is out of my '76 FSM for a D20 Transfer Case, Section 8-1...

    "TOWING

    Manual Transmission


    Ignition Key Available: Shift transmission and transfer case into Neutral. Vehicle can now be towed with all four wheels on the ground or with front or rear wheels raised. If vehicle is equipped with selective drive hubs, set them in the FREE position.

    Ignition Key Not Available and Vehicle is Unlocked: Shift transmission and transfer case into Neutral and tow vehicle with front wheels raised.

    Ignition Key Not Available and Vehicle is Locked: Place dolly under rear wheels and tow vehicle with front end raised; or, disconnect rear propeller shaft at rear axle yoke (be sure to index mark propeller shaft and koke for proper alignment at assembly), secure shaft to underside of vehicle, and tow with front end raised."
     
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2012
  5. Mar 17, 2015
    jwinsley

    jwinsley Windblown

    Chattanooga
    Joined:
    May 4, 2011
    Messages:
    96
    My 1956 publication date Army and Air Force M38 tech manual says the vehicle may be towed with four wheels on the ground. Place the transmission in Neutral, transfer case front wheel drive lever in "OUT" and high low range gearshift lever to N. We towed said M38 from Monterey, CA to Canyonlands, Utah (970 miles one way) and back it came through ok, has since been sold, sniff.
    Jon
     
  6. Mar 17, 2015
    colojeepguy

    colojeepguy Colorado Springs

    At the foot of...
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    Apr 4, 2010
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    7,110

    3 year old thread revival?
    The OP's Jeep has a Dana 20 tcase, different from your M38.
     
  7. Mar 18, 2015
    bjbear

    bjbear New Member

    Cold Lake,...
    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2012
    Messages:
    28
    Thanks for the info. I have added it to my list at http://www.visualsc.com/jeep_flat_towing.pdf
     
  8. Mar 18, 2015
    bjbear

    bjbear New Member

    Cold Lake,...
    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2012
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    28
    I was not looking for info specific to my jeep, but rather trying to pull together the info for as many jeeps as possible so that there would be a common source for info.
     
  9. Mar 18, 2015
    Wenaha

    Wenaha Member

    West Coast
    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2014
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    415
    This is what I did with my (mostly) stock CJ2A. Warn Ff kit with Internal hubs, premium locking hubs. I have towed it thousands of miles with no issues. I did the FF kit specifically because I wanted to tow it a lot.
     
  10. Sep 26, 2021
    Kalva

    Kalva 1966 V6, Koening PTO Winch

    GA
    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2015
    Messages:
    53
    Willys / Jeep Flat Towing (CJ2A, CJ3A, CJ3B, CJ5, CJ7 and newer), I went through the posts and guide.
    1. I flat towed my Jeepster with hubs unlocked, TH400, Dana 20 both in Neutral for 8 miles.
    Didn’t feel any issues but when I arrived we smelled burning brakes. Is it possible I had brake drag when towing?

    2. I drove home about 6 miles and started feeling weeknees in the engine/ transmission, hooked up Jeepster and flat towed last few miles, could barely get it into the driveway Brakes locked up, thought it was drivers rear wheel, touched all wheels and they were hot to the touch. Odd thing is I have front disks as I have a Dana 30 swap and stock rear 10” drums

    1.Can flat towing cause my brakes to rub?
    2. Could flat towing cause all 4 wheel hubs to get hot and lock up brakes?
    3. This morning in neutral, I could move the Jeepster back and forth, yesterday I could not,

    Any help / insight would be appreciated
     
  11. Sep 26, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    So in item 2 the brakes get hot if driven 6 miles.
    I'ld suspect the issue is not specific to being flat towed. With the disk swap did you replace the residual pressure valve for the front.
     
  12. Sep 26, 2021
    Kalva

    Kalva 1966 V6, Koening PTO Winch

    GA
    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2015
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    The swap was done by Previous owner years ago. I thought about that but the rear also got hot and there is no residual pressure valve add unless the stock new replacement MC is bad, yet this morning I could move the Jeep back and forth in Neutral.
     
    Last edited: Sep 26, 2021
  13. Sep 26, 2021
    dnb71R2

    dnb71R2 SuperDave 2023 Sponsor

    Grand Mesa, CO
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  14. Sep 26, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Seems like an issue that is not the result of flat towing. Long distance the rear shaft needs pulled on a dana20 since the output bearings won't get as much oil circulation but that would cause other issues. This could be a new thread but you say it is a replacement master cylinder...
    How old and why was it replaced. What fluid is being used? Have you adjusted the rear shoes and are there signs of corrosion in or on the components?

    My bet... the pedal doesn't have enough free play when released.
     
  15. Sep 27, 2021
    Kalva

    Kalva 1966 V6, Koening PTO Winch

    GA
    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2015
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    I’ll check the manual for free play, I replaced everything to the rear, and MC, soft lines to the front calipers, old and needed it. Adjusted rear wheels to very very slight drag with wheels off the ground, bleed everything 3 times. It does have stock master cylinder which could be affecting the front pads.
     
  16. Sep 27, 2021
    Kalva

    Kalva 1966 V6, Koening PTO Winch

    GA
    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2015
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    dnb71R2 likes this.
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