Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) Towing 4X4 with wheel lift wrecker?

[TXDSLSHOP]

I have not been around much lately but I bought a new 1998 12 valve 4X4 Auto and wanted to know if anyone here knows if I will hurt my transfer case/transmission by towing my truck with a wheel lift wrecker. I have been told before that Chevy and Ford were OK but not Dodge. It was explained that the Transfer case and transmission would not get sufficient lubrication because the rear of the truck would be elevated. Could someone in the know please elaborate on this and/or speculate if it would be OK. I drive a wrecker part time and hate leaving my personal truck at the yard and would prefer to tow it home when I am working. I don't drive a rollback and therefore must wheel lift it from the rear. Maybe it would be better to pick it up from the front and leave everything in nuetral and the engine idling? Someone please help. Thanks, Jeremy.

 

[Andy Redmond]

Here's what the FSM says: no, but you can read all about it. .



email me and I'll attach a pdf file so you can read it for yourself, should you desire to do such...



-- email address removed --



Good luck

Andy

 

[vssman]

I can't imagine that it would be bad for Dodge but OK for Ford & Chevy since the transfer case is a New Venture Gear 241(HD or LD depending on the truck). I thought these transfer cases were pretty much the standard unit for the heavy duty pickup market. Also, how far are you pulling it? I'd guess that it should be OK as long as your not going at highway speeds or pulling very far - say less than 5 miles - and put the transfer case in neutral. There is a pump in the transfer case to lubricate it. I don't know if it's driven by the input or output shafts. I wonder if picking it up backwards will spin the front driveshaft (with the CAD in 2wd of course). If it doesn't then I'd definately go that way - you do use a jig to hold the steering wheel straight and not rely on the lock, right? If not, I used to use one made from a set of bike handle bars bent to fit the wheel and welded to a bar/pad that was set in the crotch of the seat. Just move the seat up and it holds the wheel pretty tight. The garage I worked at when I was younger, had the lock break on a car being towed while going around a corner. Hit a telephone pole hard and pretty much totaled the car. Personally, I wouldn't idle the truck in neutral while it's on the hook. If it ever dropped in gear... .

 

[Kernel]

Anything against hooking the front and pulling the rear driveshaft? That's what I was always told with an auto.



Scott

 

[TXDSLSHOP]

Yes, the most correct way to tow a 4x4 dodge on a wheel lift is to pick it up by the front and pull the driveshaft. I just don't want to have to pull my drive shaft 4 times a week when taking my personal truck to and from the wrecker yard, call me lazy but... ... Anyway, I was hoping someone could enlighten me on the lubrication or lack thereof in the transfer case when towing it from the rear. I know the 3rd gen trucks don't have cad and the front driveline spins all the time. Towed one a couple hours ago. Only had to go a couple miles, just took it real slow. I hate having to swap trucks to the rollback unless it's necessary. Thanks.