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Flat towing my 57 CJ5

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by sierraflyfisher1, Feb 7, 2009.

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  1. sierraflyfisher1

    sierraflyfisher1 Sierraflyfisher1

    I have never towed my CJ5 before and have heard mixed reviews as to disconnecting the driveshaft. I have a T19 tranny and a Dana 18 xfr case. I will be towing it a couple of hundred miles. Is it necessary to disconnect the rear driveshaft if I have the xfr case in neutral?

    CM
     
    sierraflyfisher1, Feb 7, 2009
    #1
  2. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Welcome!

    Ok, first, there's no T19 transmission, I suspect you misheard someone. It's a T90.

    Second, there is TONS of information here about this search for : "flat towing" with the quotes in this section only. With the D18 you do not need to disconnect the drive-shafts. However, many folks do just for peace of mind. It's easy to do and only takes a few minutes.
     
    sparky, Feb 7, 2009
    #2
  3. sierraflyfisher1

    sierraflyfisher1 Sierraflyfisher1

    Thanks for the info. I do however beg to differ on the tranny. It is a T19 (4 spd), not a T90. It is the same as a T18 only w/ a fully synchro'd first gear.
    Thanks again!
     
    sierraflyfisher1, Feb 7, 2009
    #3
  4. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    :oops: You're right!

    I'm used to people joining and calling their t-fer a T18 not a D18 so I made a (wrong) assumption.
     
    sparky, Feb 7, 2009
    #4
  5. sierraflyfisher1

    sierraflyfisher1 Sierraflyfisher1

    Thanks again for the info.
    CM
     
    sierraflyfisher1, Feb 7, 2009
    #5
  6. sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    To be more clear the D18 doesn't suffer the same ills as the D300 which is the basis for a lot of flat towing advice.
     
    sparky, Feb 7, 2009
    #6
  7. sierraflyfisher1

    sierraflyfisher1 Sierraflyfisher1

    That makes more sense. It seemed odd to me that there could be damage done to the D18 in neutral even if the ds was spinning.
    CM
     
    sierraflyfisher1, Feb 7, 2009
    #7
  8. blevisay

    blevisay Oh Noooooooooooooooo! Staff Member

    dead horse

    R)
     
    blevisay, Feb 8, 2009
    #8
  9. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    If the T19 is like the T18, if you leave the driveshaft in and put the transfer case in neutral, put the tranny in gear, or it will starve for oil... T90, T86, T14, are fine in N.
     
    Patrick, Feb 8, 2009
    #9
  10. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Gotta disagree with you on this one Patrick. Always put the transmission in gear. You'd be amazed how many T-90's T-14's, etc. i've had to throw away because of oil starvation while flat towing. In fact, due to the lighter components and how easy the output shaft compares to the larger tranny's, they are even more susceptible to damage. :coffee:
     
    nickmil, Feb 8, 2009
    #10
  11. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    I stand corrected then.;)
    I always assumed that since my owners manual says to tow N/N, that would be ok....
    Now that I have a T18, I always put the trans in gear.
     
    Patrick, Feb 8, 2009
    #11
  12. sierraflyfisher1

    sierraflyfisher1 Sierraflyfisher1

    Patrick,
    Your rig is similar to mine. I have a T19, D18 and D44 w/ PowerLok rear end. So, with all of this being said, I will put my tranny in gear (does it matter which, 4th?) and put the transfer case in N. Correct?
     
    sierraflyfisher1, Feb 8, 2009
    #12
  13. sammy

    sammy Coca-Cola?

    I must ask since i've always wondered...Whats oil starvation on the transmission?
     
    sammy, Feb 8, 2009
    #13
  14. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    I'd recommend either 2nd or 4th as the vibrations and what not have a natural effect on the shifter to move rearward (angle, weight of shifter knob, gravity, etc) and transfer case in neutral.
     
    nickmil, Feb 8, 2009
    #14
  15. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.


    Sammy, do a search for "flat towing". This has been covered so many times it's not funny. Basically certain bearings in the transmission starve for oil when the output shaft is driven by the rear drive shaft. Even when the transfer case is in neutral the spinning of gears can cause a hydraulic coupling that can drive the output shaft of the transmission if it's in neutral. Because of this the pocket/pilot bearings between the input and output shaft in the transmission starve for oil then try and weld themselves together. Not pretty.
     
    nickmil, Feb 8, 2009
    #15
  16. jzeber

    jzeber Well-Known Member 2022 Sponsor

    I always disconnect the drive shaft, takes about 10 minutes and the "peace of mind" factor is well worth it.
     
    jzeber, Feb 9, 2009
    #16
  17. lynn

    lynn Time machine / Early CJ5 HR Rep Staff Member

    I flat towed the '71 a few times, ~200 miles at a time.
    Based on advice I received here:
    Tranny in 4th (T18 ), tcase in neutral (D18 ), drive shaft left in place.
    No ill effects. :)
     
    lynn, Feb 9, 2009
    #17
  18. Patrick

    Patrick Super Moderator Staff Member

    I leave the shaft in for short trips, 100 miles or less. When I towed to NC (3000 mi. round trip) I pulled it. With the T18, I put it in 2nd...




    dead horse
     
    Patrick, Feb 9, 2009
    #18
  19. nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    I full floated my rear end. No more concerns!R)
     
    nickmil, Feb 9, 2009
    #19
  20. jpflat2a

    jpflat2a what's that noise?

    me too !
     
    jpflat2a, Feb 9, 2009
    #20
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