Topic: Towing A Toyota 4x4

[Xlerator]

  I'm looking for some info on towing a 1995 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 4 down behind my motor home, 5-speed manual, manual t-case, manual hubs.You cannot believe how hard this is to find good info. I need to hear from someone who is doing it, thanks in advance, Mitch

[79coyotefrg]

flat towing??   5 speed in neutral,  hubs unlocked,  and go

[Hottrod81]

You might want to remove the rear driveline even though it is a 5 speed

[DTB]

You might want to remove the rear driveline even though it is a 5 speed

Yes, DEFINITELY! Only takes like 5 or 10 minutes to do

[Rocksurfer]

It is fairly simple: 1st mark a straight line with a paint stick from the edge of the slip yoke on both sides, next remove the 4 bolts on the driveshaft on the 3rd member, now give the driveshaft a good hard kick at the ujoints just after the 3rd member. This should pop the driveshaft out of the seat that is holding it in (skip kicking if the driveshaft hits you in the head when you take the last bolt out even thought you really want to kick it). Now either tie it up or just slide it out of the yoke and throw it in the bed of your truck. The only other 3 things to do beyond that is make sure that the parking brake is of, the hubs are off and the ignition key is in the ACC position. Turn your key to the full on position and then turn it back until the dash lights go off. Your radio will stay on so make sure to turn it off. Now the only other thing is lighting, you can buy a set of drag lights at U-Haul or have a custom setup to where the oem lights operate off of the towrig. To put the ds back in just line up the paint stick marks and bolt it back in.

A couple helpful things though, do not, I repeat do not try to take out the ds with a load on it, it could kill you. I always hook up my truck and put everything in neutral before disconnecting the ds. That way there is no load and your truck won't try to run you over because you forgot to set the parking brake.

The reason to leave the key in is so the truck will follow you steering itself, if you don't you'll drag your truck with the tires cocked in the lock position. This makes for excessive tire wear.

Once you remove the ds it doesn't matter what gear you leave it in since nothing is turning but the axles.

[Xlerator [OP]]

Thanks for the advice, I still cannot understand way a Toyoya Tranny cannot be towed flat in neutral, Alot of the other small trucks have no restrictions. If dropping the rear drive shaft is the safest way, not a problem. Again, Thanks for the advice, Mitch

[DTB]

If dropping the rear drive shaft is the safest way, not a problem.

Safety isn't the issue with this...... its increased gas mileage for tow vehicle (less friction) and less wear on your drivetrain (for both vehicles). Rocksurfer was just telling you the "safe" way to remove the D/S

[Willy Mammoth]

In any manual transmision you are turning the tailshaft only. There are n gears turning to splash oil around inside the trans. This will cause premature ware or worse. It is always safer to remove the shaft. Same thing for the Tcase being in neutral.

I just use a bungee or coat hanger to tie it to the frame and keep the bolts with the wrenches in my door pocket of the tow vehicle.

[jimbo74]

not sure exactly how the taco is set up, but most times flat towing you disconnect the rear driveline to avoid putting miles onto the vehicle, the things that spin the odometer still operate and will run miles up even if the vehicle isnt on....

also, not sure if it applies to toys or not, but some vehicles, even in neutral, still need certain components to get lubrication, and it isnt always possible when flat towing

[Willy Mammoth]

There is another option if you dare. Make a wooden block to stick in your bellhousing behind the clutch fork so when you push the clutch in stick in the wedge and let up on the pedal. Make sure the clutch does not drag and put the trans in the highest gear. This will turn all the gears in the trans keeping them lubed. The clutch disk will be spinning too, but the throwout bearing will not.

[Hottrod81]

I just use a bungee or coat hanger to tie it to the frame

That is what tow companies do.

[Rocksurfer]

....and if you really want to get tricky somebody does now sell a rear Toyota axle with hubs.

[gabriul]

Now that is sexy.  spool the rear, unlock one side for onroad.. when the tire gets to wearing to much, unlock the other side.

ROFL ...