How to Tow a Ford Explorer 101

[dsfii93sport]

Hey does anyone have any good suggestions to towing a 1993 Ford Explorer Sport on a tow dolly? Should I tow the front end and just unbolt the rear drive axle??

THANX

 

[F14CRAZY]

With my experience, it's best to remove the rear driveshaft and tow it with the rear wheels on the ground. When we put the front wheels on the ground, it swayed dangerously because of slack in the steering linkages.

With my 4x2 manual, it was simple. 4 bolts and it slides out of the transmission. Dumped a lot of oil out though. Is this supposed to happen?

 

[dsfii93sport]

If it is anything like the Bronco II, I unbolted those 4 bolts from the drive shaft and just tied the shaft up against the frame,, without pulling it out?? I guess this is why I didnt get oil spill on that one. I would assume I could do the same w/ the Explorer. Cool, thanks for the help.

 

[F14CRAZY]

True, you could. My buddy did and it worked out fine.

 

[RFR2212]

With my experience, it's best to remove the rear driveshaft and tow it with the rear wheels on the ground. When we put the front wheels on the ground, it swayed dangerously because of slack in the steering linkages.

With my 4x2 manual, it was simple. 4 bolts and it slides out of the transmission. Dumped a lot of oil out though. Is this supposed to happen?

If you pulled the shaft all the way out I believe the 2x4s had a slip yoke kinda gig. Where when you slip the shaft out, the transmission is completely open to the outside world (why it leaked, it poured right out) 4x4s have a yoke they mount to out of the transfercase

 

[Opera House]

If it has a transfer case, it has a neutral position. I know ford has an option for later models for towing that will tell the motor to go to the neutral position. Don't know if this was available for first gen.

 

[dsfii93sport]

Anyone know off the top their head what size wrench would fit the 4 bolts on the drive axle to take it off?

 

[LukeDog3D]

im fairly sure its a 12 point 12 millimeter..i use a box end wrench.

 

[jerbay]

If it has a transfer case, it has a neutral position. I know ford has an option for later models for towing that will tell the motor to go to the neutral position. Don't know if this was available for first gen.

Saw your answer on towing Explorer with Dolly. Most of the answers had to do with 4x4's. I have a 1997 XLT Rear Wheel drive, not a 4x4 that I want to tow on a dolly behind my RV. I have been told that I cannot do it and that I should sale it and buy a saturn or something. I hate to do that as getting ready to retire and the Explorer I have is paid for...I cannot be unbolting the transmission all of the time at my age, for sure. Can I tow my 1997 XLT. You said somthing about putting it in Neutral and front wheels on dolly. Thanks, Jerry

 

[dsfii93sport]

Im not sure, I'd love to hear the negative results to doing this because I tried to unbolt the rear driveaxle up in Michigan and it was rusted well.. I SAID THE HELL WITH IT and towed it home back to Indy (bout 300 miles) towing the front end leaving it in neutral. (manual tranny)

TRuck has been driving just fine with no probs from doing that...

Like I said I would love to hear exact prob from towing the rear in neutral... HEY isnt this the same as coasting the truck in neutral down the highway?

 

[Opera House]

The problem is the still rotating bearings and clutches don't get lubrication without the engine running. I suppose you could overfill the transmission about 3-4 quarts and that would take care of it. Then just put a valve on the cooler line and pump it out when you get to where you are going. A pain, but easier than fooling with the drive shaft. 300 miles is probably still under the point at which damage is done.

 

[dsfii93sport]

Not one to know much about trannies, but is there a pump in the tranny!? I knew it had fluid pressure, but I thought this was created by rotating the flywheel... So then I guess maybe answering myself I can see that since pulling the truck doesnt rotate the flywheel (or does it) wouldnt create line pressure... hmmmm

 

[Opera House]

Now there is an idea. Go and buy a remote starter. Then just run the engine for a couple minutes every hour when you are towing it. You could do it while driving down the road. These aftermarket units do have a shut off button on the remote don't they?

 

[dsfii93sport]

VERY VERY nifty and cool idea

Should market it as EzTow HAHA

 

[lonestar]

towing the front end leaving it in neutral. (manual tranny)

The problem is the still rotating bearings and clutches don't get lubrication without the engine running.

Manual trannies don't have a pump?

I could understand if it were Auto.