Flat Tow '87 4Runner

[tx_shooter]

Alright - I searched "flat tow" and got three hits... one of which was the BS thread. I have googled and binged with little useful information and lots of opinions.

My question here is if anyone knows that it is or isn't safe to flat tow a 1st Gen 4Runner 5spd manual? Some of the info I have found says no because the rear tires will keep the transmission turning without the pump sending fluid through it. Second, there was the 1 in a million risk of the transmission and transfer case slipping into gear from their Neutral positions.

So - anyone here know??? Done it all their life with a 4Runner?????

 

[drew02a]

...the rear tires will keep the transmission turning without the pump sending fluid through it...

That would only be a concern if you were towing a vehicle that had an automatic transmission. Manual transmissions just have gear oil that circulates any time the tranny is moving.

...there was the 1 in a million risk of the transmission and transfer case slipping into gear from their Neutral positions...

That's why you put the tranny in neutral too, just in case

I flat towed my '87 Pickup and the only thing that sucked about it was that it didn't tow very straight. Maybe it was the 33" MTs or the fact that it wasn't aligned, but in any case it got where I was towing it and only tried to kill me on 1 or 2 occasions.

 

[AlienXtx]

What Drew said, we had fun pulling that thing.. slap it in neutral and do not lock the steering wheel.

 

[drew02a]

What Drew said, we had fun pulling that thing.. slap it in neutral and do not lock the steering wheel.

X1000 I forgot which was it was supposed to be, and the damn thing nearly steered me into a semi truck on I-10

 

[AlienXtx]

I'm sure, remember when it almost tossed us into that Fucking truck coming back from Alto...god Damn

 

[drew02a]

I'm sure, remember when it almost tossed us into that Fucking truck coming back from Alto...god Damn

How could I forget. And when we were in the sand with the wheel free and the damn thing almost put your truck in the ditch when the wheels on it turned all the way left and got wedged

 

[TacoXpo]

Or there's always the Pirate Answer:

Assuming you have manual hubs on the front...Buy the rear FF kit from Front Range... then u can tow that thing anywhere u want. :flipoff2:

 

[tx_shooter]

That would only be a concern if you were towing a vehicle that had an automatic transmission. Manual transmissions just have gear oil that circulates any time the tranny is moving.


That's why you put the tranny in neutral too, just in case

I flat towed my '87 Pickup and the only thing that sucked about it was that it didn't tow very straight. Maybe it was the 33" MTs or the fact that it wasn't aligned, but in any case it got where I was towing it and only tried to kill me on 1 or 2 occasions.

Appreciate it.

Or there's always the Pirate Answer:

Anyone want to sponsor me??? I'm broke enough as it is, but that looks like a pretty cool setup.

 

[AlienXtx]

How could I forget. And when we were in the sand with the wheel free and the damn thing almost put your truck in the ditch when the wheels on it turned all the way left and got wedged

good times brother good times

 

[TacoXpo]

Anyone want to sponsor me??? I'm broke enough as it is, but that looks like a pretty cool setup.

It does look pretty sweet huh? I would love to make one of my own!

[rant and disappointment] And I would love to be able to sponsor but there's a small problem... The economy got fucked by professional politicians and its smacking me right in the face! ... and the wallet. I look forward to a time where prosperity and capitalism will replace current attempts to wealth distribution... [/rant and disappointment]

 

[yotarob]

Take my advise and get a trailer, flat towing can be done but it blows

 

[Silverback]

Take my advise and get a trailer, flat towing can be done but it blows

Trailer FTW

 

[tx_shooter]

Take my advise and get a trailer, flat towing can be done but it blows

Trailer FTW

Looks like I'm going to trailer - but instead of buying my own trailer I'm going to borrow my Dad's when I can. He has a 16' farm trailer that doesn't get alot of use other than the occosional roll of hay. This will let me trailer when necessary and drive when I'm wheeling locally. Plus I'm not shelling out more money right now.

Trailering for now - if/when I start going out to other trails more often I will come back to the tow/trailer debate. Until then I'm not spending anymore money than needed.

 

[TacoXpo]

Looks like I'm going to trailer - but instead of buying my own trailer I'm going to borrow my Dad's when I can. He has a 16' farm trailer that doesn't get alot of use other than the occosional roll of hay. This will let me trailer when necessary and drive when I'm wheeling locally. Plus I'm not shelling out more money right now.

Your dad doesn't have a yard in Morning Glory? Does He?

 

[tx_shooter]

Your dad doesn't have a yard in Morning Glory? Does He?

Not to my knowledge - but he is still unpacking boxes from the late '60s. He found a headlight bulb to a Panhead he bought back in the '60s (that was old when he bought it) in one of his boxes. But as far as I know he only has stuff in Glen Rose.

 

[yotarob]

Trailer FTW

Just be sure the tires on the trailer are good and carry a spare.

 

[tx_shooter]

Just be sure the tires on the trailer are good and carry a spare.

Well, I trailered it to Bridgeport last weekend. My Tacoma did good trailering it; but it isn't something I want to do after with it. I got the setup to flat tow it for now. Trailering is nice if you have the trailer and a big enough pull truck to do it with no problems.

 

[taco4x4rar]

Well, I trailered it to Bridgeport last weekend. My Tacoma did good trailering it; but it isn't something I want to do after with it. I got the setup to flat tow it for now. Trailering is nice if you have the trailer and a big enough pull truck to do it with no problems.

You're Finns be rethinking that trailer after the first couple of times you flat tow it.

 

[tx_shooter]

You're Finns be rethinking that trailer after the first couple of times you flat tow it.

Any reason or just personal experience?

 

[AlienXtx]

There ain't nothing wrong with flat towing man, people do it all the time. You just have to pay attention to what the tow rig is doing and take your time.