Jeep Enthusiast Forums banner

Help! Towing question

1K views 17 replies 7 participants last post by  Mickey_D 
#1 ·
I have a tow dolly and am going to tow a 98 jeep grand cherokee. It is all the time 4 wheel drive. Will it damage it if I tow it? I thought I read somewhere you can mess up the 4 wheel drive if you tow? Is that correct?
 
#6 ·
But this doesn't release the viscous coupler. From what I know ZJ's can only be flat towed or flat bed / full trailer.

Putting the front axle on a tow dolly and the rear wheels on the ground will end badly.

Unless you disconnect the rear driveshaft from the axle and strap it up as suggested before (ensuring the front of the shaft does not slide out of the transfer case or you will lose fluid).
 
#10 ·
From the '98 owners manual:

CAUTION!
Internal damage to the transfer case will occur if a
front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational
towing.

Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for being towed:

CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.

1. Shift the transmission into N (Neutral).
2. Shift the transfer case lever into N (Neutral). All 4WD indicator lights and tires in the vehicle outline will turn off.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into D (Drive) and make sure there is no vehicle movement.
4. Turn the ignition key to the unlocked OFF position to prevent the steering column from locking.
5. Shift the automatic transmission into P (Park).

WARNING!
With the transfer case in N (Neutral) position, the vehicle could roll unexpectedly. The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.

6. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle with tow bar.

CAUTION!
Do not use a bumper mounted clamp-on tow bar on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.

CAUTION!
Do not disconnect rear prop shaft because fluid will leak from the transfer case and damage internal parts.
 
#13 ·
Agreed. Strap the (disconnected) U-joint to, I don't know, the exhaust? Put a bungee cord hook in the U-joint bolt hole and hook the other end to the transmission crossmember (so its tension pulls the driveshaft forward into the transfercase).

It's only 4 bolts, and since it's a Jeep you don't even need a jack. Just slide under there. I do believe it's a 5/16 box end wrench that's required.
 
#15 ·
Well, I broke something. Got the jeep was having some trouble disconecting the rear drive shaft. We put it on the tow dolly and moved it maybe 20 feet so I could get under there better. When moving it the rear drive shaft broke off. So then I just pulled it out. But when I got it home it seems the tranny is messed up, it would not stay in park now. And when we pushed in the driveway we heard a clicking noise as it was moving. I could care less, I just need the front end. I had the transfer case in neutral. Do you think this would have damaged the front end at all?
 
#16 ·
One possible explanation is that the transfer case was not in neutral when you towed the 20 feet or so, which resulted in the park pawl to break because tranny was in Park and you dragged it with the rears on the ground..
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top