Towing a '91 4X4 Bronco

[3Nails]

I tow my ’91 4X4 Bronco occasionally. I’ve always dropped the rear drive shaft when towing. Do I need to go to all the trouble?

[351c]

I've always heard that it protects the transmission which is not getting lubed with the engine off

[86BroncoGuy]

if u dont youll rack up a lot of extra miles

[blue beast]

Just put the transfer case in neutral should be fine

[3Nails]

Thanks, Guys, but now I'm confussed. Do you know of anyone who has actually towed? Would hate to tear up something.

[mrknight01]

it should tell you in your Owners manual.
You should never tow a 4x4 unless the transfurcase is in neutral or the drive line removed .

[ag30265]

It all depends upon how you are towing it. If all wheels are on the ground- the trans case should be in neutral and the rear drive shaft removed. If you tow it often there are kits that can be purchased and installed on the rear shaft that will dissengage it without removal. They have a slip joint that is installed on the shaft and can be moved to engage it or dissengage it.....great for rec towing but bad if the vehicle is used for offroading or rough driving(weak link).

If towing with two wheels on the ground- rear wheels up on dolly or lift- strap the steering wheel in the straight position and haul on! Hub styles don't matter but I always put the trans case in neutral with auto lockers.
Front wheels up on dolly or lift- remove the drive shaft/dissengage it and put the trans. case in neutral.

Towing from the rear with the drive wheels off the ground is the safest and quickest option for a bronco or other 4x4 vehicle.

The issue with towing w/o removing the rear drive shaft is the back bearing in the tranny, it will burn it up and damage other parts of the tranny. With a manual odometer it will add mileage if the shaft is left in key on or off.

When I have to remove a driveshaft to pull a vehicle I will remove the bolts from the pinion and slide the shaft toward the tranny(if slip yoke equipped) or move it to one side and use a rachet strap to hold it up and away from the pinion, as the pinion will rotate when going down the road.

mrk is correct, the owners manual will tell you about towing for recreation but will tell you to call a qualified towing company for road side assisstance. That's where we come in

[jem270]

This is out of the 96 owners manual.

Towing Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles With a Lever-Operated Transfer Case

Place transmission gearshift (automatic or manual) in N (Neutral).

Lock steering wheel straight ahead if vehicle is to be towed with rear wheels off the ground. Set manual locking hubs in FREE position or disengage the automatic locking hubs by shifting the transfer case to 2H and drive the vehicle in the opposite direction for a minimum of 10 feet (3 meters) in a straight line.

NOTE: Confirm by observation that the front driveshaft is not rotating prior to towing with the rear wheels off the ground.

Place transfer case in N (Neutral).

NOTE: The transfer case neutral setting is located between 4H and 4L. In order to place the transfer case in neutral, first place the lever in the 4H position, then push down (toward the ground) on the shift knob and at the same time pull slightly rearward until the lever is between the 4H and 4L position. With the ignition in the on position, both 4x4 and LOW RANGE indicator lights will be off when the transfer case is in neutral. These lights will also be off when the transfer case is in the 2H position.

There are no wrecker or recreational vehicle towing restrictions on method or distance if the above preparations are made. Vehicle speed should not exceed 55 mph (88 km/h). This applies with the front wheels off the ground, the rear wheels off the ground, or both front and rear wheels on the ground.

[jem270]

This is out of the 96 owners manual

Towing Four-Wheel Drive Vehicles With Touch Drive Electric Shift Transfer Case

Place transmission gearshift (automatic or manual) in N (Neutral). Place transfer case in 2H.

NOTE: Both the 4 x 4 and RANGE indicator lights in the instrument panel will be off when the transfer case is in 2H.


Lock steering wheel straight ahead if vehicle is to be towed with rear wheels off the
ground. When towing your vehicle with the rear wheels off the ground, the front axle
automatic locking hubs must first be disengaged by shifting the transfer case to 2H
and moving the vehicle forward for a minimum of 10 feet (3 meters) in a straight
line. Do not exceed a vehicle speed of 55 mph (88 km/h) while towing.

NOTE: Confirm by observation that the front driveshaft is not rotating prior to
towing with the rear wheels off the ground.

When towing your vehicle with the rear wheels on the ground or all four wheels on
the ground and the driveshafts connected, do not exceed 35 mph (56 km/h) or
transmission damage could result. If a distance of 50 miles (80 km) is exceeded,
disengage the automatic locking hubs and disconnect the rear driveshaft from the axle
and secure. (Max speed 55 mph [88 km/h] with driveshafts disconnected.)

[3Nails]

I think I've got it. Exactly what I needed to know. Thanks again!!!!

[jem270]

What do you tow your bronco with and how do you tow it?

[3Nails]

' 99 F350 4X4 CrewCab dually 7.3 powerstroke. Tow it with all four wheels on the ground, transfer case in neutral, transmission in neutral, rear drive shaft removed, steering column locked.

[jem270]

Do you use a tow bar bolted to the front of the bronco?

[3Nails]

Yes. "U" bolts bolted to the bumper using existing bumper bolts to the frame. Easy pin disconnect.

[mrknight01]

Any towing with the driveline in should only be for a short distance and not over 45mph. With an automatic transmission, leave it in park so that none of the Trans will turn and the transfer case in neutral. The transfer cases that ford uses now have a small fluid pump in them for lube. With a standard trans it should be in natural as well.