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USAHAWK
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
11:16:34
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 Subject: Towing a 4x4 Dakota
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Does anyone have any experiance towing a 4x4 Dakota, 1989 specifically. I have a convertible I would like to tow behind Dump truck when I go on long road trips, so I would have a nice run-about at the away destination I end up at.
Can I just through the transfer cse in nuetral and go, or are there other precautions I must take? Thanks
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Rob454
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
12:01:13
|  RE: Towing a 4x4 Dakota
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Supposedly if the t case is in neutral you can flat tow it. Personally I would unhook the driveshafts at the axle end and tie them up then tow it. I had a 4x4 checy that was towed with the tranny in neutral and the front wheels on the tow truck and the tranny was wasted from the tow. All I know it was a new tranny and it only had 3000 miles on it. the delaer replaced it under the GM warranty cause they towed it
Rob
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.boB
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
15:58:09
| RE: Towing a 4x4 Dakota
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You can't flat tow an automatic equipped vehicle. The transmission will spin, but the pump isn't running. So it will quickly overheat and destroy the transmission. I've heard rumors of them catching on fire.
With a stick, it's lubed by the gears spinning around.
The transfer case is chain or gear driven, just like a manual. There is a pool of lube in the bottom of the case to keep everything cool. So put the transfer case in N, and the auto in P, and there shouldn't be any problems.
Make sure the steering wheel is unlocked.
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Walt Felix
Dodge Dakota
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1/22/2004
20:54:47
|  RE: Towing a 4x4 Dakota
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From my personal experience, both replies are wrong. It really depends on the type of transmission and transfer case in the vehicle. I’ve been driving a wrecker since 1984 and still do so part time nights. To date, I’ve never eaten a tranny or transfer case.
For an 89 Dakota, DO NOT put the transfer case in "N". Neutral in a NP231 transfer case (used in the early Dakotas) is between 4Hi and 4Low. When you put the case in neutral, you are only disconnecting it from its input shaft. The front and rear output shafts are still geared to each other and your front axle still has the Central Axle Disconnect engaged. The CAD and front drive shaft are only disengaged in 2Hi on your truck. Leave your transfer case in 2Hi and put your transmission in neutral. You can safely tow an A500 transmission in neutral and in 2Hi, your front end is freewheeling and the front drive shaft is not spinning. If you were going huge distances, then I would probably pull the rear drive shaft. Only for a little added safety but it’s not necessary. The shop I’ve worked at for the last several years is in a lousy neighborhood and I’ve frequently tow my trucks home rather than leaving them at the shop all night.
BTW, You can flat tow most automatic equipped vehicle as long as it’s not a front or full time 4 wheel drive and even then there are exceptions. Most front wheel drive automatic transaxles do not pump fluid when the engine is off and will burn up the transmission if towed far or fast enough. However, I’ve towed manual shift front wheel drive vehicles with the drive wheels on the ground and when necessary, on several occasions, have towed automatic equipped vehicles from the rear slowly for short distances or with the steering wheel strapped, transmission in neutral and the engine running for longer distances. One time in particular, from upstate Vermont back to Connecticut (customer failed to inform me the car was hit hard in the rear and I drove up in a regular wrecker). I’ve also towed a few all wheel drive trucks slowly both flat towing and on a sling with the front wheels spinning freely in the air. Done properly, you can tow just about anything.
Walt Felix
Webmaster@MoparsinMotion.Com
http://www.MoparsinMotion.Com
http://www.Walt-n-Ingrid.Com
http://www.CruiseNights.Info
    
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JES
Dodge Dakota
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1/24/2004
11:58:02
| RE: Towing a 4x4 Dakota
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My '02 AWD DAK has a little pen button on the 4x4 switch that you can push to put the T-case in Neutral, enabling the truck to be towed flat (or so says the manual).
Eric -- http://photos.yahoo.com/jes_96
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Amy
Dodge Dakota
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12/11/2016
00:03:42
| RE: Towing a 4x4 Dakota
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I am looking to use a tow dolly for my 2001 4x4
Dodge Dekota.
If the rig is is in neutral and in 2 wheel drive can
This be done?
Or what do I have to do so I don't blow it.
Thanks for your knowledge in advance
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other bill
Dodge Dakota
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12/23/2016
12:11:34
| RE: Towing a 4x4 Dakota
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Put the transfer case in neutral and all should be fine.
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