Towing 79 Z28

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  #11  
Old 08-02-2011, 10:32 AM
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Just tell them you want a plastic plug to fill the tailshaft when you pull your driveline. I've pulled a lot of cars with a two wheel dolly and the driveline removed. They tow beautifully and it's much lighter than any other method, so less weight to pull.
 
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Old 08-02-2011, 10:35 AM
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Instead of pulling the driveshaft completely, you could leave it in the trans and use a tie-down strap to hold the back end securely up and out of the way, while also making sure it can't slide back.
 
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Old 08-02-2011, 11:17 AM
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I used to tow my drag car with a 6 cylinder Ranger. No issues, no hills either. close to 4500# w/ the car,trailer, tools,extra fuel parts ect.
 
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Old 08-02-2011, 02:40 PM
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Thats encouraging! I think i should be fine. Just never done it before. I will find out this weekend if it can do it or not.
 
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Old 08-05-2011, 11:52 PM
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You can tow it neutral. In the tow industry, they say that not to exceed 35mph for no more than 10 miles (with an auto trans). They say it will "blowup". Manuals: neutral no problem.
My dad (2nd gen gearhead/his own big rig mechanic) says its crap with towing auto trans because the pump is on the input shaft so when the output shaft/driveline are spinning, there is no pressure.
In my opinion between towing either on flatbed or wheelift, around town or to a fellow gearheads house, dolly rwd in neutral (or tow dolly it backwards and secure the steering wheel with a ratchet
strap) is fine. But if you are going out of town, I would use a car trailer. Most full size P/Ss can handle it.
 
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Old 08-06-2011, 12:42 AM
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Originally Posted by MillzE
Yea i think im going to take out the drive shaft and pull it on a 2 wheel dolly. Thanks for the info from everybody. Sounds like i shouldnt have any problems. I just dont want my brakes to catch on fire and give out going down a 5% grade hill.....
Thats what down shifting is for!
 
  #17  
Old 08-07-2011, 09:35 AM
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Originally Posted by anthony7888
You can tow it neutral. In the tow industry, they say that not to exceed 35mph for no more than 10 miles (with an auto trans). They say it will "blowup". Manuals: neutral no problem.
My dad (2nd gen gearhead/his own big rig mechanic) says its crap with towing auto trans because the pump is on the input shaft so when the output shaft/driveline are spinning, there is no pressure.
In my opinion between towing either on flatbed or wheelift, around town or to a fellow gearheads house, dolly rwd in neutral (or tow dolly it backwards and secure the steering wheel with a ratchet
strap) is fine. But if you are going out of town, I would use a car trailer. Most full size P/Ss can handle it.
The two industry could care less about damaging a tranny when they tow a car, all they care about is getting paid for a tow. A general statement of 35 mph is BS. It depends on the brand of tranny, and not all are the same. Some can be damaged if you tow over 15 mph, while others are rugged enough to get 35 mph for short tows. The old 50's Rambler trannies would even push start with a automatic at around 25 mph.
The pumps are on the input side, but fluid will circulate regardless of whether the input or output shafts are turned, the difference is the trans is in neutral, so it wont move. Revving your engine in neutral is OK, because the trans is designed for flow that way, but turning the output shaft, with the converter not spinning can and will damage a trans if you go over the reccommended speed of the manufacturer.
In normal operation the pump is run off the engine, so not only does it provide pressure to the clutches, it also provides important lubrication to the trans, and cooling. When towing you have neither lubrication or cooling, and you'll damge the trans from lack of either.
 

Last edited by 1971BB427; 08-07-2011 at 09:41 AM.
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