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Flat tow CJ-7 across 11 states

1K views 16 replies 8 participants last post by  Drury 
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#1 ·
First post,

Very late for this request but I'm heading to Rhode Island this weekend to pickup a '77 CJ-7 and towing it back to Florida. I've been reading the opinions on flat towing & have distilled it down to:


  • Remove the rear driveshaft at the rear diff,
    Strap it to the Jeep's underside,
    Put tranny & transfer case in neutral,
    Bungie the steering wheel to help it return,
    Haul it behind a BIG truck.
I'll be dragging it back with a '93 F350 7.3L diesel 4x4 crewcab. The tow bar should be level from the truck rear bumper to the Jeep front bumper. I've got a 5000# bumper hitch & Reese 5000# towbar.

I know, I probably could have done this another way, but this is the only option now. Any feedback on this from you experts at this would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
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#2 ·
You mean rear driveshaft, right? If so, then you are correct, just unbolt that sucker from the axle and strap it up out of the way. It probably doesn't matter what gear you're in if you do this, since nothing will be causing the drivetrain to spin, but probably still not a bad idea.
 
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#3 ·
Thanks for the quick reply, a bit of nerves on my first plunge. Yes, I mean the driveshaft. I'm planning to use enough bailing wire that it won't go anywhere. Don't want it falling out on the way home.
 
#5 ·
Unlock the front hubs. If you remove one end of the rear driveshaft, wrap the u-joint with tape so you don't loose the two cups. Also, DO NOT put the trans and transfer case in neutral. It shouldn't matter but make sure nothing spins by leaving the trans in gear and the transfer case in 2 high.

You don't say what drivetrain the jeep has in it. If is is quadratrac, remove BOTH driveshafts if you remove them. The quadratrac can be flat towed fine with the trans in park and the transfer case in neutral.
 
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#6 ·
I've not yet seen this Jeep, just pics & descriptions. Its a '77 CJ with a T-18 & Dana/Spicer 20 transfer case. Unlocking the front hubs is on my list-just forgot it in the post.

Its my understanding that the driveshaft is just spline/slip fit into the rear of the transfer case. If the axle is totally removed, nothing will retain the gear oil in the T/C. I'm currently out of town & away from the Jeep so I cannot verify this. Let me know if this is correct thinking.

Thanks for the reasoning on putting it in gear. As long as the engine is not running, it will lock the tranny & T/C from spinning.
 
#7 ·
The Dana 20 t-case should have yokes on both outputs for U-joints, not a "spline/slip fit" set up. So IF its still original you should be able to unbolt the drive shaft at the rear pumpkin and the T-case. Cool find on the T-18, it should be the wide ratio with the 6.32 granny 1st.

Jeff
 
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#9 ·
Ray,

Thanks for the warning. I left my large Torx set at home, I do have up to T-30 with me. I'm picking up a friend for the trip in NC & I've added them to my request list. Maybe he'll have a set. Should have found this forum earlier.

Thanks again, good tips y'all.

Russ
 
#10 ·
With the dana 20, there is another way you can flat tow it. Make sure it has oil in it first though.

Lock front hubs
Put trans in gear
Put transfer case in neutral

The dana 20 spins two gears when in neutral and the hubs locked and doesn't have the oiling problems when flat towed that the dana 300 has.
 
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#13 ·
Thanks to all for the advice. I hope others will see this post & be encouraged and informed.

The flat tow from Rhode Island via Winston-Salem, NC to Orlando, FL went very well. I personally believe that the F350 7.3L diesel crewcab longbed tow vehicle made all the difference. Here's a quick summary of the setup:


  1. 1. Attached bumper to frame with #8 hardware.
    2. Attached the tow bar to near maximum width ~41" (preferred) to the existing ½" holes in the stock bumper. I believe this kept the Jeep from wagging left & right.
    3. Attached taillights (Jeep had none) with harness made from a spare set of taillights & an unused boat trailer wiring cable. Drilled clearance holes & used self-tapping screws to insure good ground connection.
    4. Removed entirely the rear driveshaft; ½" nuts on u-bolts, very easy. (Good Tip - This came in real handy on the road when I got myself into a parking lot that did not have an exit. No way to turn that big rig around. Had to disconnect the Jeep, lock the front hubs & drive it around to reconnect after moving the truck! Would have been a hassle with the rear shaft hanging & even more to remove it then, in the rain!)
    5. Taped the caps on the U-Joints, bagged all the hardware & put it in the truck tool box.
    6. Used a ball carrier with the proper drop to keep the tow bar very near level (slight rise).
    7. Attached Jeep to truck, hooked up lights (with ground wire to the tow bar) & tested. Parking lights - good, hit brakes & all lights went out-classic bad ground! Wound up running an extended ground wire from the connector to another self tapped hole in the front frame-worked great!
    8. Ran with the front hubs unlocked, tranny in gear, transfer case in 2 high & steering wheel locked. I would not recommend locking the steering around town, but it worked good for me due to:

    • a. It was raining most of the time I had to drive "in town" (very seldom) & the tires slid easily.
      b. Almost the entire `1300 miles was on the interstate.
      c. The tow vehicle is very long, makes for easy radius curves.
Finally, I checked all hardware connections, lights, tire & hub temperature (relatively cool) at each stop. Checked the truck oil & tranny fluid a couple times & had to check the mirrors often to make sure it was still back there, it towed so easily!

Thanks again for the information & the forum.
 
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#15 ·
A buddy of mine from our Texas days (years ago). He actually lives just north of Stokesdale & went along for the pure adventure. I figured more people would have an idea where Winston-Salem was.

I was in Atlanta last week for a training seminar. Left there Friday afternoon to Stokesdale, Saturday morning to RI, Sunday back to NC & Monday to Orlando. Almost all driving in the daytime (including the Heavy rain).
 
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