towing ford ranger

[kepko]

i have a 92 land yacht 36
if i choose to tow a ford fwd automatic ranger pickup with a tow bar because the 454 is already overburdened,,,do you put the automatic trans in neutral or do i disconnect the drive shaft every time????
can i damage the automatic trans???
do i have to have a manual trans???
thanx
kevin
newbie

[purman]

The owners manual should tell you, or you could call ford...

[wahoonc]

Kevin,
It will depend on the specific vehicle. Many years of the 4x4 with the manual you could tow 4 down with the transfer case in neutral. IIRC it took a special relay installed in the fuse box. I had a 1994 manual 4x2 and it was not recommended to tow 4 down for very far without dropping the drive shaft.

Best recommendation is to ask your Ford dealer. FWIW they do make a disconnect kit that goes in between the drive shaft and one of the drive yokes but IIRC it costs almost as much as my last Ranger did.

Aaron

[mustang]

You better drop the drive shaft. When the tranny is turning and it is being turned by means other that the motor the front pump will not pump proper fluid and you will tear it up. You also need to make sure you have the fron hubs removed. I think even if you put the transfer case in N you will hurt the transfer case. I just watched a towing show called Wrcked on speed channel and they just disscussed that. Hope this helps

[overlander63]

Originally Posted by mustang

You better drop the drive shaft. When the tranny is turning and it is being turned by means other that the motor the front pump will not pump proper fluid and you will tear it up. You also need to make sure you have the fron hubs removed. I think even if you put the transfer case in N you will hurt the transfer case. I just watched a towing show called Wrecked on speed channel and they just disscussed that. Hope this helps

The front hubs on the Ranger, Explorer, and Aerostar (yes, they made them in 4wd) are the auto engage type, and can both be damaged by towing 4 down, they can also rotate the other drive components, and cause damage to them. Removing them is very easy, just remove the tire/wheel assemblies, and pull off the center hub. As far as keeping dirt and gunk out of the mechanism, maybe you could get a worn-out set of them, and gut them. Put the gutted pair on when towing.