flat towing a 3rd gen 4runner advice

[jjamesyj]

hello all. after alot of searching and reading, i am still getting mixed reviews. so i figured i would tap into the place where i can get the right answer.(thank you all in adavnce). i have a 1996 4runner with the 3.4 a manual 5speed and a manual transfer case. i will be driving it from south east colorado to north west utah. attending a reunion, and then plan to head to cody wyoming with my grandfather for a big sporting clays shoot. my grandfather will be driving his motorhome. so my question to all of you is, what do i need to do to be able to flat-tow my 4runner behind his motorhome for roughly 750miles. i have been told that the transfer case will not oil properly. i have also been told the exact opposite. so please give me your experiences, input on this matter. after we get to wyoming we plan to drive the 4runner while we are there, and then i will drive it back to colorado from wyoming.
thank you all in advance
Jesse

 

[toylandcruiser]

What does the owners manual say?


"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788

 

[Mrknowitall]

Aside from mounting a tow-bar and such on the front....
According to this:http://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om/OM35679U/pdf/omsource/1996om/964runom/sect4/41.pdf
Put the the t-case in 2H and the trans in Neutral. I'm pretty sure the trans lubes from the output shaft, which will be turning. Still not the worst idea to start the thing and let it idle when you stop to pee.
On my 4R, I inserted some diodes ($2@ radioshack) between the brakelights and the vehicle harness. Then I just connected the stop/turn, tail and ground wires. the other running lights will backfeed to the truck, but not the turn signals.

 

[toylandcruiser]

If it has manual hubs, drop the rear drive shaft off the diff and tie it up. Then nothing with spin.


"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788

 

[jjamesyj]

If it has manual hubs, drop the rear drive shaft off the diff and tie it up. Then nothing with spin.


"I ask, sir, what is the militia? It is the whole people, except for a few public officials."
— George Mason, in Debates in Virginia Convention on Ratification of the Constitution, Elliot, Vol. 3, June 16, 1788

referencing the owners maunal, only has a short blub about towing. and it only covers towing a trailer with the 4runner, nothing about towing the vehicle itself

 

[jjamesyj]

thank you. i have also looked at that page but it says when flat towing it should only be done at slow speeds for a short distance.

 

[Joe's Toy]

How about a "Uhaul" trailer that lifts the front of the vehicle off the ground and disconnect/tie up the rear drive shaft?

 

[dms1]

If you have front locking hubs, unlock them and remove\unbolt the rear drive shaft. If you do not have locking hubs, you should use a tow dolly and remove\unbolt the rear drive shaft.

 

[AxleIke]

The concern with oiling was an issue with gear driven transfer cases found in older trucks (behind the 4cyl 22r and re's).

Based on the above link to the owners manual, I'd err on the side of caution and use a dolly. Thats just me.