Last edited by Ldub : 06/21/2009 at 01:28 AM Reason: I like to edit...OK?
Most definitely a concern as I verified this morning that there is no detente for neutral - so you would have to fab up a bracket of some kind to make darn sure the lever stayed in place while being towed. I think that would be a lot easier than figuring out how to put in a different transfer case though!
But why? What would swapping out the transfer case change? That's all I'm asking!
What's the difference between putting some other transfer case in neutral and pulling the VX behind an RV - and putting the existing transfer case in neutral and pulling it behind an RV? All I can think of is several thousand dollars and a lot of aggrevation but there's probably more to the story and it got me curious and that's why I'm asking.
BTW LBub, I've decided that, although I DO know how to use the search button, you are so good at it that I'm going to stop using it and instead I will post my inane questions then wait for you to post the search results as links - that way all I have to do is click my mouse. Sweet, huh? We're going to have to talk about quality control though. I'm still not sure what damaged CV boots due to improper tie down on a rollback has to do with towing but I'll have another cup of coffee and maybe it will come to me.
I agree that Crotchrockets idea has some merit since I have seen tow trucks pulling vehicles backward with the rear off the ground. I have to wonder though how it would track and how the tire wear would be since the camber, caster, toe-in combo is designed for the forward direction. Thanks for the links to the previous posts Ldub. It wasn't laziness that made me post this, just wanted to get some fresh feedback and see if I could draw you out of your lair. It is pretty obvious from this discussion and the previous threads that its not practical.
SlowPro, I know its bugging you why I mentioned installing a TC with 2H/4H/N/4L. The Borg/Warner TOD TC doesn't have a dedicated neutral and the system of clutches that makes up the TOD system evidently don't allow for the driveshafts to be driven without the transmission being spun. I know very little about the innards of the TOD TC but in looking up what it would cost to restuff the thing if a guy fried it gives one pause. Also if the silent chain is running there is one or more bearings in the transmission that need to be lubed and some require a lube pump to be turning. I'm not up on all that stuff so back to Riff Raffs' response..."Get a different car". I'm sure there are guys on here that understand what makes things tick in there.
Travelin2,
OK so neutral in our TOD transfer case isn't really a "true" neutral. I just assumed it was neutral since the shop manual calls it that and the vehicle will roll when the transmission is in Park with the TOD in the neutral position.
Now it all makes sense. THANK YOU for that explanation.
I guess I'm the one confused. Mine is either in 4 hi or 4 lo according to the insignia on the shifter knob. It doesn't indicate a usable neutral.
[QUOTE=SlowPro48;161906]BTW LBub, I've decided that, although I DO know how to use the search button, you are so good at it that I'm going to stop using it and instead I will post my inane questions then wait for you to post the search results as links - that way all I have to do is click my mouse. Sweet, huh? [QUOTE]
Oh, I'm SURE that you can count on me.........
Last edited by Ldub : 06/13/2009 at 04:08 AM
on this same topic... is it bad to let the vx roll down a hill in neutral? occasionally if im in too much of a hurry to let the vx warm up properly ill just start it and leave it in neutral and let it roll down to the bottom of my hill.. probably like 1/2-3/4 miles with the vx just idling, that way when i get to the bottom ive had a lil more time for oil flow.. i usually hit 35-40mph by the end
what exactly makes the vx bad to tow all 4 down?
Uhhh.... NO! I'm not indicating anything Ldub. Because I don't know.
The shop manual makes numerous mentions of a neutral position in the TOD and when I put my mine in that position all TOD lights go out as described in the manual and the VX rolls freely despite the transmission being in Park - so it sure seemed like neutral to me. And that's why I didn't understand the need for a transfer case swap.
But then Travelin2 said, "The Borg/Warner TOD TC doesn't have a dedicated neutral and the system of clutches that makes up the TOD system evidently don't allow for the driveshafts to be driven without the transmission being spun." So I thought well maybe the TOD "neutral" is just for diagnostic purposes or something and not a "true" usable neutral as found in other transfer cases. But again, I don't know. That's why I asked the original question. All I was trying to do is figure something out man - simply to satisfy curiosity...
Did it come to you yet?...
This sentence from the last post is what I was getting at, by including that particular thread...
[Quote] I knew to always use a flatbed when moving the VX [quote]
Which again illustrated that flat towing the VX is ill advised.
Sorry if you feel that I caused you an unjust amount of extra reading...
You might want to add me to your "ignore" list, to prevent future over reading...
The only advice I'm able to find in the owners manual, (ch. 6 - pg. 15) is with regard to coasting down hill being unsafe, I haven't been able to find any mechanical reason given against coasting.
And back to towing...
In ch. 7 - pg.15 it says:
The all wheel drive car must never be towed with either the front wheels or the rear wheels raised.
*The car may be towed from the front with all four wheels in the ground.
*This vehicle may be towed at speeds below 35 mph (55 km/h) for a distance not exceeding 50 miles (80 km).
*Towing attachments must be made to main structural members of the vehicle. Do not attach to bumpers or associated brackets.
They didn't mention anything about front axle half shafts...
I don't know "what exactly" makes the VX bad to tow 4 down, I would guess it has to do with the TOD...
Last edited by Ldub : 06/16/2009 at 02:30 AM
Speaking from pure, unadulterated ignorance; I think the towing 4 down problem is associated with lack of lubrication.
"there is one or more bearings in the transmission that need to be lubed and some require a lube pump to be turning."
I do know that when I towed my Suzuki Samurai 4 down with the tranny and TX in neutral, the odo and speedo both registered. That indicates to me that there is much more moving than you would ever expect whilst in neutral.
Eric,
Since you have the vehicle running and in neutral, you should be fine. You're supposed to check fluid level on an automatic tranny only after idling in neutral for 10 min to ensure proper reading. That implies to me that the pump is running and therefore keeping everything lubed.
Tom
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Put a smiley after you say that Bub.
manual hubs on front and a quick release drive line in rear.....
http://www.remcotowing.com/node/7
good stuff on towing here
http://www.remcotowing.com
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]...