towing a 01 sport trac

[thunderhorse]

Is there a kit that can be installed on the trans to enable an auto explorer to be towed with all 4 wheels on the ground?

 

[Cobraguy]

Some models you can, some you can't. There are also aftermarket solutions such as driveline disconnects that can be used.

 

[BrettR]

Everyone and the dealers say that a 01 can NOT be towed 4 down. They sell the neautral tow kit for all models of EX, Monties, and all other years of the ST. I talked to a tech at a local dealer that said he tried to install a kit on the owner of the dealerships 01 ST years ago. Said that it was missing a wire or something that had to be hooked up to the puter . He instead installed a Remco drive shaft disconect. I just purchesd an 01 myself, I would like to tow it behind or MH. I knew the probs with the 01's but it was almost given to me, so I had to jump on it. There has to be some way to make it work, replacing the shifter motor,4X4 controller or what ever it is called. What ever wiring the tech was talking about. If it is a computer thing, like not accepting the software...then i can see it. But there has to be something that can be swiched out.
I am still working on it, and if anyone has any ideas please share.
Thanks Brett

 

[thunderhorse]

BrettR


I took the 4x4 shift motor off, and unlike my 92 Explorer, the 01 ST dose not have a detent in the transfer case for the natural position. This may be why the neutral button install will not work.

 

[IZwack]

Disconnect the driveshaft at each axle and tie up with a ratchet strap . Then tow all you want.

 

[thunderhorse]

yep going to do that, but was told by trans tech, just needed to disconnect the rear shaft

 

[gijoecam]

There was no neutral tow kit available for an '01 or '02 Sport Trac with an automatic trans. (The TSB covering Neutral Tow capability for that was TSB # 02-25-8)

If you have a manual trans, there is no kit necessary (leave the trans in neutral).

You will need to drop both the front and rear driveshafts. The t-case is lubed from a positive displacement pump splined to the input/rear output shaft. If you disconnect the rear driveshaft, but leve the front connected, there's nothing pumping lube to the t-case (except faith). You need to disconnect them both.


Now, all that being said, it's an electric-shift 13-54 transfer case. I see no reason why it wouldn't be possible to make up some sort of simple bracket or plate to lock the t-case in the neutral position with the shift motor removed (if it's even necessary in the first place... what holds a manual 13-54 in neutral??).

-Joe

 

[BrettR]

My thing is..You can install the kit on the 01 Explorer. WWhat is the defference between the EX and ST..??

 

[IZwack]

My thing is..You can install the kit on the 01 Explorer. WWhat is the defference between the EX and ST..??

Its as GIJOECAM said -- the transfer case is different.

 

[BrettR]

I wonder way Ford would make two different T cases for veichles using the same formats, ie. engine, trans, frames, etc, would think they would use the same drive train ...but what do I know...

 

[gijoecam]

My thing is..You can install the kit on the 01 Explorer. WWhat is the defference between the EX and ST..??

Ummm, what isn't different??One's an enclosed tailgate, one has a bed. One has Control Trac 4wd, one has a conventional transfer case. Two different front ends, two different interiors, two different frames... The ST and the 2-door Sport share more parts and systems than the 4-door for '01.

I wonder way Ford would make two different T cases for veichles using the same formats, ie. engine, trans, frames, etc, would think they would use the same drive train ...but what do I know...

Different target customer bases.... That and I suspect the 44-05 transfer case may have had issues in the larger/heavier vehicle. Also, the '02 Explorer 4-door was in the pipeline, so it may have been a simple matter of not changing the 4-door for one more year in anticipation of the 'new' '02 coming out.