1991 4WD Pickup - Can You Tow On All Four Wheels?
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1991 4WD Pickup - Can You Tow On All Four Wheels?
Hi - I am interested in towing my 1991 Toyota, 4WD Pickup on all four wheeels behind a motorhome. I have a V6 engine, manual transmission and auto-locking hubs. I have talked to at least a dozen different sources about this question and everyone has a totally different answer as far as whether it can be done safely without damaging the drivetrain. Does anyone have expereince towing one of these on all fours?
Thank you!
Thank you!
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Thanks for your reply. If you notice from my initial post I have auto locking hubs in the front so I have no ability to "unlock" them. Have you towed one of these before yourself? Everything that I've heard so far suggests potential problems are with the front axle. From what I've heard as long as you leave the transmission in neutral there is no need to disconnect the rear driveshaft.
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As I understand it, the reason one removes the driveshaft is to avoid turning the internals of an automatic transmission, when the internal hydraulic pumps are not running.
A manual transmission doesn't have pumped oil, so it should be fine to turn the output shaft as long as it is in neutral. I haven't found anything about this (yet) in a Toyota publication. Of course, miles on the transmission are miles on the transmission, so disconnecting the driveshaft would be a slight improvement, but you have to weigh that against the work reconnecting it each time you want to go someplace. And if you were worried about miles, you'd get a trailer.
I'm not entirely sure what "auto-locking" hubs are. If they are the factory ADD, they disconnect in the front differential, not at the hubs. But having the half-shafts driven by the wheels is the ordinary circumstance in 2wd, so I can't see how it would be any different towing.
A manual transmission doesn't have pumped oil, so it should be fine to turn the output shaft as long as it is in neutral. I haven't found anything about this (yet) in a Toyota publication. Of course, miles on the transmission are miles on the transmission, so disconnecting the driveshaft would be a slight improvement, but you have to weigh that against the work reconnecting it each time you want to go someplace. And if you were worried about miles, you'd get a trailer.
I'm not entirely sure what "auto-locking" hubs are. If they are the factory ADD, they disconnect in the front differential, not at the hubs. But having the half-shafts driven by the wheels is the ordinary circumstance in 2wd, so I can't see how it would be any different towing.
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Thank you Scope103. That certainly makes sense regarding the rear driveshaft with a manual transmission. As for the front driveshaft, my Toyota Owners Manual refers to the automatic connection as "auto-locking hubs". Maybe this is just for the convenience of the reader. While I'm not sure exactly how this feature engages, and/or disengages, I am curious if you know. Some have said that my vehicle can be towed safely with manual locking hubs, but not with the auto-lock feature. Any thoughts on why some believe this is a problem? In theory what components in the front drivetrain will be turning with the vehicle being towed with an auto-lock front end?
#6
There are many threads on here about this if you use your search feature.
This was a great one.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/t...hy-not-194612/
Read them before you screw up a nice truck.
This was a great one.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/t...hy-not-194612/
Read them before you screw up a nice truck.
#7
There are many threads on here about this if you use your search feature.
This was a great one.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/t...hy-not-194612/
Read them before you screw up a nice truck.
This was a great one.
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f2/t...hy-not-194612/
Read them before you screw up a nice truck.
If you notice from my initial post I have auto locking hubs in the front so I have no ability to "unlock" them. Have you towed one of these before yourself? Everything that I've heard so far suggests potential problems are with the front axle. From what I've heard as long as you leave the transmission in neutral there is no need to disconnect the rear driveshaft.
Next, everything you heard about the problems potentially being with the front axle was wrong. Regardless of the hub type. There's a way to keep the front driveshaft from spinning with any of them. And the front driveshat spinning would be the only thing that could potentially cause a problem.
Lastly, most of the potential for problems is really in the transfer case. By leaving it in 2H that will allow for the the oil in it to be pumped to all the bearings needing it(by action of the rear driveshaft/t-case output shaft spinning). Any other selection, besides N, will also turn the front driveshaft, which would minimally cause wear to parts that don't "need" to be turning all the time(or at all while being towed). Selecting N will be where you'll run into problems. Because that will prevent the input shaft from spinning, and in turn prevent it from powering the oil pump. Bearings will run dry...and need I say more? Transmission in N is a no brainer. As that's the only way it can be done. And as stated prior, it's not likely to cause any issues due to lack of lubrication. I say not likely because it's hard to say for sure. So the safest bet is to disconnect the rear driveshaft.
Here's a good thread you should ACTUALLY read: https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...estion-227621/
Last edited by MudHippy; 08-19-2012 at 09:06 AM.
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Thank you very much for your thorough response. I have a much better understanding now why the question of towing flat is so unclear--because there really isn't a clear answer. It makes more sense now why Toyota does not recommend towing this vehicle. Some have reported no problems at all with towing flat while others have suffered a lot of damage. Since there isn't a clear answer I guess the most logical answer is simply--don't do it. Don't take the chance. Guess I'll be looking into a good trailer. Thanks all for you comments!
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I could see that in some of the cases where oil is shared between the case and the trans, like many of the 3VZE's, but when the oil in there is separate from the transmission, what's slinging the oil around?
#15
People really should read all the posts, and the information found in any links provided in a thread. BEFORE making comments intended to be of help. Cuts down on clutter, and prevents all types of confusion too.
Truth is, well, the truth has already been provided. Not going to repeat myself.
I did however find some more documentation stating that a 1991 Toyota 4WD PU with a manual transmission is towable AS IS. Meaning it's safe to do so without doing a thing. Though leaving the transfer case in 2H is a good idea IMO. And knowing EXACTLY how a transfer case oil pump works, I can tell you with 100% certainty there will be NO DAMAGE caused by lack of lubrication should you take my advice on that. If old man Marlin wants to argue with me on it...BRING IT ON!!! Though I highly doubt he would. He knows better actually.
http://www.remcotowing.com/vehicles?...=971&year=1991
Oh and that windy sound you're hearing is most likely caused by air flowing freely in one ear, traveling through the empty space where the gray matter would ordinarily reside, then exiting the opposing ear.
Truth is, well, the truth has already been provided. Not going to repeat myself.
I did however find some more documentation stating that a 1991 Toyota 4WD PU with a manual transmission is towable AS IS. Meaning it's safe to do so without doing a thing. Though leaving the transfer case in 2H is a good idea IMO. And knowing EXACTLY how a transfer case oil pump works, I can tell you with 100% certainty there will be NO DAMAGE caused by lack of lubrication should you take my advice on that. If old man Marlin wants to argue with me on it...BRING IT ON!!! Though I highly doubt he would. He knows better actually.
http://www.remcotowing.com/vehicles?...=971&year=1991
Oh and that windy sound you're hearing is most likely caused by air flowing freely in one ear, traveling through the empty space where the gray matter would ordinarily reside, then exiting the opposing ear.
Last edited by MudHippy; 08-19-2012 at 09:46 PM.
#17
All I can say in response to that is apparently not. And that it's especially the case in any thread that I happen to post in. But I'm willing to accept 50% responsibility for that, and not 1% more. Because, after all, it takes 2 to tango.
#18
If it helps, I did just recently tow my 91 xtra cab with a Uhaul 4 wheel auto transport. It fit really nice and towed great. The prices were really competetive. I guess if you're taking it camping every week behind your camper it would be pricy though. But, like has been mentioned, no wear or danger at all to your rig that might be caused by towing.
Last edited by jslone; 08-21-2012 at 10:01 AM.
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People really should read all the posts, and the information found in any links provided in a thread. BEFORE making comments intended to be of help. Cuts down on clutter, and prevents all types of confusion too.
Truth is, well, the truth has already been provided. Not going to repeat myself.
I did however find some more documentation stating that a 1991 Toyota 4WD PU with a manual transmission is towable AS IS. Meaning it's safe to do so without doing a thing. Though leaving the transfer case in 2H is a good idea IMO. And knowing EXACTLY how a transfer case oil pump works, I can tell you with 100% certainty there will be NO DAMAGE caused by lack of lubrication should you take my advice on that. If old man Marlin wants to argue with me on it...BRING IT ON!!! Though I highly doubt he would. He knows better actually.
http://www.remcotowing.com/vehicles?...=971&year=1991
Oh and that windy sound you're hearing is most likely caused by air flowing freely in one ear, traveling through the empty space where the gray matter would ordinarily reside, then exiting the opposing ear.
Truth is, well, the truth has already been provided. Not going to repeat myself.
I did however find some more documentation stating that a 1991 Toyota 4WD PU with a manual transmission is towable AS IS. Meaning it's safe to do so without doing a thing. Though leaving the transfer case in 2H is a good idea IMO. And knowing EXACTLY how a transfer case oil pump works, I can tell you with 100% certainty there will be NO DAMAGE caused by lack of lubrication should you take my advice on that. If old man Marlin wants to argue with me on it...BRING IT ON!!! Though I highly doubt he would. He knows better actually.
http://www.remcotowing.com/vehicles?...=971&year=1991
Oh and that windy sound you're hearing is most likely caused by air flowing freely in one ear, traveling through the empty space where the gray matter would ordinarily reside, then exiting the opposing ear.
Since you obviously know everything there ever was/is/will be to know about Toyota trucks, why don't you talk the admins into taking our reply privileges away so you don't have to trip over someone else's reply on your way to being a hero? It's a public forum hot-rod, if someone else wants to reply to a thread you've already been the savior in, they're going to, get over yourself.
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The only clutter I see in this forum is you writing a novel (mostly filled with your own ego) every time someone asks a very simple question.
Since you obviously know everything there ever was/is/will be to know about Toyota trucks, why don't you talk the admins into taking our reply privileges away so you don't have to trip over someone else's reply on your way to being a hero? It's a public forum hot-rod, if someone else wants to reply to a thread you've already been the savior in, they're going to, get over yourself.
Since you obviously know everything there ever was/is/will be to know about Toyota trucks, why don't you talk the admins into taking our reply privileges away so you don't have to trip over someone else's reply on your way to being a hero? It's a public forum hot-rod, if someone else wants to reply to a thread you've already been the savior in, they're going to, get over yourself.
yotatech needs a "like" feature.