towing my 1st Gen 4x4 with a uhaul tow dolly???

So I need some advice and knowledge. I am moving and am going to be towing my truck with a tow dolly. My question is will it work for my truck? I have a 99' 4x4 v6 with rear open diff. No locker. I am on 33" tires. The truck is also a 5 speed manual with auto locking hubs. Uhaul site says if you have a rear wheel drive car or 4x4 you must remove the drivshaft? Is this the case for me even though my truck Is a manual transmission? Can I just load the front wheels up on the dolly put the truck in neutral and with the open diff it would be ok? Any help is appreciated.

 

Just undo the rear driveshaft, should be 4 bolts with nuts and tie the driveshaft up to somewhere solid with a strap to keep it 100% out of the way.

 

You're still spinning the trans if you don't pull the shaft.

Ok for a few short slow miles, but not for a big move.

 

So even if I have the Tranny in neutral it would mess up the transmission?

 

Ok. I am going hundreds of miles away.

 

Do have it in neutral but your rear tires are still going to roll of course.
Get the front tires up onto the dolly (slowly) you do NOT want to over run it.
Strap both front tires down, neutral and e-brake off and have your driveshaft unbolted and strapped out of the way.
Ride into the sunset

 

Thank you! Arizona here we come!

 

Anyone have other recommendations for such a long trip?

 

A manual is only lubricated by splash, splash that only occurs if the cluster is spinning. The cluster doesn't turn unless the input is turning, thus there is no lubrication, unless the motor is running.

You're talking 4 bolts, just pull the ds.

Now then. In case I'm wrong about how the Tacoma trans works, lets call in @gearcruncher

 

You are correct. Mark the DS aligned when you remove it so you can align it to the same holes when reattaching it.

The DS is balanced and this should keep it that way.

 

If you do not remove your driveshaft you will be spinning the countershaft in the transmission, without the transmission input shaft turning because the engine will be off. The first point of failure is normally the needle roller bearing inside the input shaft that supports the primary or main shaft. You will also have a lack of lubrication in along your primary shaft gears that are floating.
For a short trip, ok, for a long trip, removing the rear driveshaft is simple and safe.
Just my opinion...

 

Okay, probably stupid question but:

If you tow with the drive shaft connected, and the truck in neutral, will the ODO record mileage? I could see it happening for mechanical ODO's but not digital.

 

Coast down a long hill and find out. lol

I believe it would record the mileage on mine which is not digital.

 

Thanks everyone for the knowledge

 

Do what I did when I moved to AZ last year. Just spend the extra bucks for the trailer. Way easier to back up than a dolly.

 

Only important if you are pulling the two piece DS apart. Removing from the diff flange is fine, they aren't balanced together.

 

transfer case is what your really worried about. People used to pull manual small cars all over the country behind RV's.
Is it good for the trans. No.

 

My first choice but they don't have any available for my time frame.

 

Does anyone have any experience with the uhual auto transport trailer? I was able to get one of these instead of the dolly. I am wondering if I will have any issues with fitment with the tie down straps for my wheels? I have 33" tires (285/75/16). There site is vague.

 

I towed my '98 Taco from SoCal to Atlanta GA on a dolly. Used the dolly because I didn't want to pull the extra weight of a car trailer. Wired the taco's brake lights to the dolly. Disconnected the DS. Just a tip: I gave the Penske truck a tuneup before I left. Installed new plugs, and air cleaner element. Truck had over 90,000 miles, and the plugs looked like they had never been changed. Idled and ran rough before tune, and smooth as silk after (even if it was a Ford). Probably saved the cost of the plugs and element many times over with better gas mileage. Just sayin'.

- JAMES