Towing Scout 4 down

D

Dave Paradis

New member
Searched forum but did not find a result. Owners manual says manual transmission towing 4 down, put transmission in 4th, transfer case in n, and lock in front hubs. Seems like a lot of extra spinning of components. Does this sound correct? First time I towed 4 down, I pulled the rear driveshaft, front hubs unlocked, transfer case and transmission in neutral. I have recently set up my 79 Scout for towing behind a motorhome and do not want to rack up miles on the Scout in tow. Pulling rear driveshaft accomplishes this. Second time I towed I followed owners manual and disconnected the speedo cable.
 
Yes, you read correctly. Locking the front hubs allows the gears in the transfer case to turn and splash lube the rear output bearing. If it was me towing for long distances, I would put all shifters into neutral, disconnect the rear u-joint and wire or strap up the drive shaft plus tape the u-joint caps.
 
As greg said all you really need to do is remove the rear driveshaft and make sure the hubs up front are unlocked. If those two things are done the rest doesn't matter.
 
Thanks guys. The first time I towed I did remove the rear driveshaft completely and at our destination for the weekend I drove around in 4 wheel utilizing the front axle only. That worked but the Scout did not seem to like running on the front axle only, especially at freeway speeds. Seemed to have some vibrations. I am assuming that towing 4 down with everything in neutral, front hubs unlocked, I am risking some lack of lubrication somewhere in the drivetrain?
 
Yes, the transfercase rear output bearing won't get lube without some gears turning. In a manual transmission, it's a similar thing. The main shaft turns with the driveshaft, but no gears are turning to splash lube it or the bearing either. That's why it is said that for long distance towing, remove the drive shaft; or just unhitch the rear u-joint and hang the shaft. Do it right or do it over.
 
We towed our 64, four down, for years behind our rv's with no issues. Trans in high and t-case in neutral with the front hubs locked.

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