CJ7 trailering/towing w/dana 300
- Thread starter GaryMB
- Start date
Inspector-Gadget
New member
New girl in town
Hi-Ya, GaryMB,
Your question is frequently asked. Unfortunately, the answers given frequently differ.
The best I can do for you is to give you the text – verbatim -- from the 1985 CJ-7 (1985 also used the Dana 300 T-Case) Owner’s Manual. Here it is, from pages 131 – 132:
Towing Disabled Vehicle
If your vehicle is disabled and must be towed with the front or rear wheels off the ground, towing speed should be limited to 30 mph (48 km/h) for a distance no greater than 15 miles (24 km).
Towing Cautions
If the vehicle must be towed with the front wheels on the ground, the ignition key must be turned to the OFF position to unlock the steering column. The steering column lock is not strong enough to withstand shock transmitted from the front wheels while towing. Also, before towing the vehicle with the rear wheels lifted, secure the steering column with a steering wheel clamping device designed for towing service.
If either propeller shaft has been removed and installed, check the transmission fluid level and add fluid if necessary. Driving with insufficient transmission fluid may damage the transmission.
Manual Transmission
NOTE: When towing the vehicle over 200 miles (300 km), stop towing every 200 miles (300 km). With the transfer case in N (Neutral) and transmission in gear, start engine and rev engine for about one minute to circulate oil in the transfer case.
Ignition Key Available
Turn ignition key to OFF position to unlock steering. Shift transmission into gear and transfer case into N (Neutral). Vehicle can now be towed with all four wheels on the ground or with front or rear wheels raised. Be sure parking brake is released.
Ignition Key Not Available and Vehicle is Unlocked
Shift transmission into gear and transfer case into N (Neutral) and tow vehicle with front wheels raised. Be sure parking brake is released.
Ignition Key Not Available and Vehicle is Locked
Place dolly under rear wheels and tow vehicle with front end raised. Or, disconnect rear propeller shaft and rear axle yoke after marking the propeller shaft and yoke for proper alignment at reassembly. Secure shaft to underside of vehicle, and tow with front end raised. Be sure parking brake is released.
Automatic Transmission
NOTE: When towing vehicle over 200 miles (300 km), stop towing every 200 miles (300 km) and with the transfer case still in N (Neutral), start engine, place automatic transmission in D (Drive), and rev engine for about one minute to circulate oil in the transfer case.
Ignition Key Available
Turn ignition key to OFF position to unlock steering column and gearshift selector lever to P (Park) and transfer case shift lever to N (Neutral). Be sure parking brake is released.
Ignition Key Not Available
Place dolly under rear wheels and tow vehicle with front end raised. Or, disconnect rear propeller shaft at the rear axle yoke (index mark for correct assembly later), secure shaft to underside of vehicle, and tow with front wheels raised. Be sure parking brake is released.
There you have it. I am not sure that the above makes total sense, but there it is -- straight from the AMC horse’s mouth.
I hope that helps to answer your question.
Regards,
Gadget
Hi-Ya, GaryMB,
Your question is frequently asked. Unfortunately, the answers given frequently differ.
The best I can do for you is to give you the text – verbatim -- from the 1985 CJ-7 (1985 also used the Dana 300 T-Case) Owner’s Manual. Here it is, from pages 131 – 132:
Towing Disabled Vehicle
If your vehicle is disabled and must be towed with the front or rear wheels off the ground, towing speed should be limited to 30 mph (48 km/h) for a distance no greater than 15 miles (24 km).
Towing Cautions
If the vehicle must be towed with the front wheels on the ground, the ignition key must be turned to the OFF position to unlock the steering column. The steering column lock is not strong enough to withstand shock transmitted from the front wheels while towing. Also, before towing the vehicle with the rear wheels lifted, secure the steering column with a steering wheel clamping device designed for towing service.
If either propeller shaft has been removed and installed, check the transmission fluid level and add fluid if necessary. Driving with insufficient transmission fluid may damage the transmission.
Manual Transmission
NOTE: When towing the vehicle over 200 miles (300 km), stop towing every 200 miles (300 km). With the transfer case in N (Neutral) and transmission in gear, start engine and rev engine for about one minute to circulate oil in the transfer case.
Ignition Key Available
Turn ignition key to OFF position to unlock steering. Shift transmission into gear and transfer case into N (Neutral). Vehicle can now be towed with all four wheels on the ground or with front or rear wheels raised. Be sure parking brake is released.
Ignition Key Not Available and Vehicle is Unlocked
Shift transmission into gear and transfer case into N (Neutral) and tow vehicle with front wheels raised. Be sure parking brake is released.
Ignition Key Not Available and Vehicle is Locked
Place dolly under rear wheels and tow vehicle with front end raised. Or, disconnect rear propeller shaft and rear axle yoke after marking the propeller shaft and yoke for proper alignment at reassembly. Secure shaft to underside of vehicle, and tow with front end raised. Be sure parking brake is released.
Automatic Transmission
NOTE: When towing vehicle over 200 miles (300 km), stop towing every 200 miles (300 km) and with the transfer case still in N (Neutral), start engine, place automatic transmission in D (Drive), and rev engine for about one minute to circulate oil in the transfer case.
Ignition Key Available
Turn ignition key to OFF position to unlock steering column and gearshift selector lever to P (Park) and transfer case shift lever to N (Neutral). Be sure parking brake is released.
Ignition Key Not Available
Place dolly under rear wheels and tow vehicle with front end raised. Or, disconnect rear propeller shaft at the rear axle yoke (index mark for correct assembly later), secure shaft to underside of vehicle, and tow with front wheels raised. Be sure parking brake is released.
There you have it. I am not sure that the above makes total sense, but there it is -- straight from the AMC horse’s mouth.
I hope that helps to answer your question.
Regards,
Gadget
LVRockCrawler
New member
RE: Re: RE: Re: RE: Help!! I think she might blow!!!!
dang gadget... why dont you post enuff info to be helpful!!! (sorry... had to go there!) - my 89YJ was a dingy behind an RV b/4 i got her so i have the welded brackets and tow bar but never knew how to tow it safely w/o pulling the driveshafts (i did know about unlocking the steering) - your post sure cleared up alot of questions i had in the back of my head! thanks again for the real thorough (sp?) post!!!
dang gadget... why dont you post enuff info to be helpful!!! (sorry... had to go there!) - my 89YJ was a dingy behind an RV b/4 i got her so i have the welded brackets and tow bar but never knew how to tow it safely w/o pulling the driveshafts (i did know about unlocking the steering) - your post sure cleared up alot of questions i had in the back of my head! thanks again for the real thorough (sp?) post!!!
