Flat Towing?

[gladiator]

Using a Dana 20 T-case, If you tow a vehicle so equipped with the T-case in neutral, will there be any lube thrown up to the rear output shaft bearing or will it run dry?

[gsmikie]

you can tow a d-20 car in neutral it will lube the t-case

[scotty]

actually,it will not. the outputshaft is above the oil line. if youre going more than a few miles,id strongly reccomend to disconnect the rear drivesahft.

[La Wagoneer]

Quoting from my 1971 Wagoneer owners manual for towing the Jeep " To tow your 4-wheel drive "Jeep" vehicle, first shift the transfer case and transmission into neutral. Then the vehicle can be towed foward or backward at reasonable safe speeds (such as specified by state law) for any distance" futher down it says the if towing with the rear wheels off the ground "IF the vehicle is equipped with free-wheeling hubes there are no drive flanges to be removed and it is only necessary to lock the hubs in the freewheeling position." So according to Jeep it should be fine to flat tow your truck. As I have towed my wag as far as I have driven it. I have had no problems. Just have the front hubs in free-wheel and the tranny and t'case in neutral and remember that your towing close to 5000lbs (approx 2300kgs) and be careful.

[FSJeeper]

The Dana 20 is fine to flat tow with. I have towed them for years over long distances with never a problem.

It is the Dana 300 you can't flat tow with unless you modify it.

Sorry, Scotty, but you are wrong on this one! And hey, I am getting to a point I can ship that 1 ton stuff to you. Fire me your address and info and I will get to it within the next week or 2.

[crispyboy]

what about a NP229?

[scotty]

hmmmmm,i thot the rear output shaft was definately above the oil line,and with the case in neutral,the the intermediate gear is not throwing any oil up to the rear housing,bearings,etc. how,'zactly is it getting lubed?

i have flat towed my rig 75 miles each way to the trails for quite some time,and regardless of what the manual says,id still strongly reccomend removing the rear shaft if youre going more than a few miles. it only takes a few minutes to undo the one end and bungee it to the bottom,why add all the wear and tear of having it all spin if you dont have to? i dont like anything to spin. i even made some axleshaft blockoff plates for my 14 bolt so that i could unlock the front hubs and not have anyting spin,including the rear ring and pinion smile.gif

if youre going to do the "flat tow with driveshaft in" thing,at the very least make sure that your u joints and shaft are in good shape,cause you wont feel the vibes up in the tow rig.

FSJeeper,woo hoo! ill PM you my addy,just let me know what shipping is gonna run and ill get it to ya