Dollying My Bronco

[stevesmonocle12]

Hey guys,

I just bought my first Bronco ('76) and the only way I can get it home is to dolly it about 50 miles. I have read that you should remove the rear drive shaft to be safe. Does anybody know if it will be ok if the transfer case and transmission are both in neutral? It is a manual; the front tires will be on the dolly.

 

[Bully Bob]

That thinking is because the rear output shaft & bearing sit above the oil level in the T-case. Meaning it spins dry (sorta) when the gears aren't spinning. (The gears pick up the gear oil & move it around.)

Having said that.., "the jury is still out"..! I've talked to folks who have dollied & flat-towed for yrs. with no problem.

However.., disconnecting the D-shaft at the rear diff. & heavy duty strapping that end to the frame may be good insurance, & would only take about 10 min. I would do this if the rig sat for a long time. (bearings tend to drain over time)

 

[Skitter302]

Good News!

I just got off the phone with my Grandpa who flat tows his 1985 Ranger behind his RV for hundreds of miles on end. And all he does is:

• put the T-caes in neutral
  
• and the transmission in neutral
  
• leave the hubs in the free position
  

This applys to all 4x4s that have a neutral position on the floor shifter. The only time when you have to remove the rear drive-line is if you have the electronic (push button) shifter and their is no N position. Hope this answers all your questions about towing your new Bronco.

 

[Bully Bob]

Hi Skitter.., that is good..!

However does the "Ranger" have a D-20 T-case and/or an output shaft above the oil sump..?

Also., it's yet to be determined if Steves "EB" T-case even has oil in it.

(It has a stick shift trannie & a stick shift T-case.)

"This applys to all 4x4s that have a neutral position on the floor shifter. The only time when you have to remove the rear drive-line is if you have the electronic (push button) shifter and their is no N position."

---I may be wrong but I think you're refering to the T-case shifter here..?---

50 mi. on a recently run.., (& proper oil level) D-20 probably wouldn't hurt a thing.

Just say'n...... I would aire on the side of caution. >-

 

[Skitter302]

---I may be wrong but I think you're referring to the T-case shifter here..?---

Correct I'm refuring to these buttons you would find on the dash of a Bronco with eletronic shifter.

Also., it's yet to be determined if Steve's "EB" T-case even has oil in it.

If it doesn't then stevesmonocle12 might want to consider your post made earlier ->

However.., disconnecting the D-shaft at the rear diff. & heavy duty strapping that end to the frame may be good insurance, & would only take about 10 min. I would do this if the rig sat for a long time. (bearings tend to drain over time)

I was trying to save Steve some unnecessary work but, as you have brought up, I guess that caution does need to be taken this round and the drive-line should be disconnected due to the question of the Bronco's condition.

However does the "Ranger"...

I forgot that Ford® had a ranger package. I was referring to the 1/4 ton pick-up.

 

[stevesmonocle12]

Thanks for the advice guys. I'm just going to play it safe and disconnect the the rear drive shaft. I can spare 10 minutes to potentially save a catastrophic failure!