jeep wrangler towing questions

[scootsmason]

Considering buying a 2001 jeep wrangler with manual trans or a 2005 wrangler with auto trans. Wanting to tow behind our new 2014 Itasca spirit 31k class c. Can either or both of these be towed 4 wheels down? I've checked and can't find any dinghy guides that go back to 2001 without paying for them.
Any special concerns or issues to be aware of?
Thanks

[tropical36]

Retiredblade wrote:

tropical36 wrote:

Retiredblade wrote:

tmoore2 wrote:
Towed a 2000 wrangler with auto transmission for 6 years. Mine had to have the
key in the ignition to unlock the steering wheel. Sometime in the past few models
they eleminated the steering wheel locks. Don't know what year that started though.

My 2000 had to have the key in ignition also, but I fixed that, take the plastic cover off the steering wheel collum you'll find a little flat panel held on with two screws, first you have to brake off the little needle like points in center of screw head. Take screws out, and a little 1/4" x 1/2" shaft with a spring falls out. Leave that out, and put panel on. You never have to leave you keys in ignition for it will never lock again.

Does your 2000 model have an air bag? Friend has a 2003 Wrangler, I believe and it has a lock as well that should be removed, but he has some concern about the air bag.

Sure it's got a air bag, what's that got to do with steering well lock? The passenger air bag lock is down by the automatic shifter for the transmission. 96-2006 wranglers are all the same, they changed styling in 07 I believe

I didn't really look at his Jeep and was assuming that the air bag was in the steering wheel and messing around with it might cause a problem or even cause it to deploy.

[Retiredblade]

tropical36 wrote:

Retiredblade wrote:

tmoore2 wrote:
Towed a 2000 wrangler with auto transmission for 6 years. Mine had to have the
key in the ignition to unlock the steering wheel. Sometime in the past few models
they eleminated the steering wheel locks. Don't know what year that started though.

My 2000 had to have the key in ignition also, but I fixed that, take the plastic cover off the steering wheel collum you'll find a little flat panel held on with two screws, first you have to brake off the little needle like points in center of screw head. Take screws out, and a little 1/4" x 1/2" shaft with a spring falls out. Leave that out, and put panel on. You never have to leave you keys in ignition for it will never lock again.

Does your 2000 model have an air bag? Friend has a 2003 Wrangler, I believe and it has a lock as well that should be removed, but he has some concern about the air bag.

Sure it's got a air bag, what's that got to do with steering well lock? The passenger air bag lock is down by the automatic shifter for the transmission. 96-2006 wranglers are all the same, they changed styling in 07 I believe

[MPond]

falconman wrote:

RoyB wrote:
I have towed my 1999 Jeep Wrangler with manual transmission and the transfer case in NEUTRAL many times with my Truck. No problems at all...

Roy Ken

You might want to check your owners manual, but I think even with a manual transmission it needs to be in gear for proper lubrication.

The manual transmission doesn't get lubricated by being in gear. It is often recommended to put it in gear when towing so that the output shaft can't spin.

Think of it this way: even when the transfer case is in neutral, there is still fluid movement within the case, and this can cause the transmission-side of the transfer case to turn if it's not locked in place. Putting the transmission in gear will resist the motion of the fluid, and prevent the output side of the transmission from spinning without lubrication.

[falconman]

RoyB wrote:
I have towed my 1999 Jeep Wrangler with manual transmission and the transfer case in NEUTRAL many times with my Truck. No problems at all...

Roy Ken

You might want to check your owners manual, but I think even with a manual transmission it needs to be in gear for proper lubrication.

[mowermech]

If you get the proper tool for the secure torx screws, you don't have to break the "little needle points" in the screw heads.
With the prevalence of these "secure" screws in Jeeps, you should have a set of the proper tools anyway. they are available from any good tool dealer(Snap-On, Mac, Matco, Perhaps Craftsman, maybe even Harbor Freight!

[tropical36]

Retiredblade wrote:

tmoore2 wrote:
Towed a 2000 wrangler with auto transmission for 6 years. Mine had to have the
key in the ignition to unlock the steering wheel. Sometime in the past few models
they eleminated the steering wheel locks. Don't know what year that started though.

My 2000 had to have the key in ignition also, but I fixed that, take the plastic cover off the steering wheel collum you'll find a little flat panel held on with two screws, first you have to brake off the little needle like points in center of screw head. Take screws out, and a little 1/4" x 1/2" shaft with a spring falls out. Leave that out, and put panel on. You never have to leave you keys in ignition for it will never lock again.

Does your 2000 model have an air bag? Friend has a 2003 Wrangler, I believe and it has a lock as well that should be removed, but he has some concern about the air bag.

[Retiredblade]

tmoore2 wrote:
Towed a 2000 wrangler with auto transmission for 6 years. Mine had to have the
key in the ignition to unlock the steering wheel. Sometime in the past few models
they eleminated the steering wheel locks. Don't know what year that started though.

My 2000 had to have the key in ignition also, but I fixed that, take the plastic cover off the steering wheel collum you'll find a little flat panel held on with two screws, first you have to brake off the little needle like points in center of screw head. Take screws out, and a little 1/4" x 1/2" shaft with a spring falls out. Leave that out, and put panel on. You never have to leave you keys in ignition for it will never lock again.

[Off_Pavement]

This is the bumper D-ring adaptor that I use from Blue Ox...

[falconman]

There are adapters to fit certain tow bars that allow attachment to an aftermarket bumpers D Rings. I'm using a Smitybilt bumper with a Blue Ox tow bar connected by adapters from Warrior products. Just make sure the bumper is strong enough.

[tropical36]

IMAGNLife.com wrote:
Slightly off topic, but I'm planning to buy a newer Wrangler to tow and will probably change the bumper to something more heavy duty for offroading. Do you know if you can attach the tow bars of these like the stock bumper? Thanks a million - JB

There's usually a somehow, someway. I like DEMCO base plates for the Wrangler and you could always install it first, before buying the after market product and when all else fails, weld the base plate on the outside. Just make sure the the bumper is on there good first, as the DEMCO plate fits in behind the bumper plates, so no way they can come off unless it rips them completely off the frame itself.

[IMAGNLife_com]

Slightly off topic, but I'm planning to buy a newer Wrangler to tow and will probably change the bumper to something more heavy duty for offroading. Do you know if you can attach the tow bars of these like the stock bumper? Thanks a million - JB

[tropical36]

tmoore2 wrote:
Towed a 2000 wrangler with auto transmission for 6 years. Mine had to have the
key in the ignition to unlock the steering wheel. Sometime in the past few models
they eleminated the steering wheel locks. Don't know what year that started though.

Sometime after the introduction of the JK series in 07 and for sure by late 09. However, I'm most sure I saw a two door 07 or 08, without the lock, so have never been able to put a real fix on it....

[Hikerdogs]

Both machines you describe are in the TJ series. We've towed our 2004 Jeep Wrangler with the automatic transmission (TJ series) well over 100,000 miles without any problems. As long as it's a 4 wheel drive version it can be towed 4 down without any modifications. It can't be towed using a dolly.

No 2 wheel drive models of the TJ series can be towed 4 down without disconnecting the driveshaft. There aren't that many 2 wheel drive Wranglers of that era around. They were sold mainly in the south east and other tourist areas as rentals for use on the beaches.

[mowermech]

It is worthy of note that the OP was looking at a 2001 and a 2005 Wrangler.