Has it been done, can it be done? 80s 4x4 Chevy Suburban

[JoeChiOhki]

Just wondering, is it possible to flat tow a 1984 Chevy K10 Suburban four down without having to disconnect the drive shafts?

It's the 4x4 version with the 700R4 automatic and NP208 Transfer case going out to the front and rears, with the auto locking front axle (I have a bypass method that I can use to disengage this so that it actually doesn't lock).

[JoeChiOhki]

rockhillmanor wrote:
Look at your owners manual under recreational towing.
It will state right there if the vehicle can be towed 4 down or needs a dolly.

I'll be very amused to see that in the Owners manual of an 80s vehicle, I don't recall ever seeing that in one for a car built before the 90s.

[rockhillmanor]

Look at your owners manual under recreational towing.
It will state right there if the vehicle can be towed 4 down or needs a dolly.

[JoeChiOhki]

1320Fastback wrote:
NP205 should not be flat towed unlike the NP208.

The 205 is splash lubricated off the front drive and the 208 has a pump that connects to the rear output.

For short distances some have left the 205 in 4wd and put the trans in neutral but I would simply pull the shafts and wrap the ujoints with electrical tape.

Sorry I got my numbers backwards, the NP208 is what she has, apparently, I brain farted today.. The NP205 was replaced with the NP208 in 1981.

[1320Fastback]

NP205 should not be flat towed unlike the NP208.

The 205 is splash lubricated off the front drive and the 208 has a pump that connects to the rear output.

For short distances some have left the 205 in 4wd and put the trans in neutral but I would simply pull the shafts and wrap the ujoints with electrical tape.

[JoeChiOhki]

ktmrfs wrote:

JoeChiOhki wrote:
Just wondering, is it possible to flat tow a 1984 Chevy K10 Suburban four down without having to disconnect the drive shafts?

the K10 is a 4wd correct? normally if it is a true 4wd, no center differential, putting 4wd transfer case in neutral lets you flat tow.

but I'm sure someone with this vintage can verify.

Yeah, its the 4x4 version with the 700R4 automatic and NP208 Transfer case going out to the front and rears.

One of the the bits I'm wondering about is the one I have has the auto engage front axle. I can bypass the engagement for that with a relay and a valve, but I'm wondering if even with it disengaged will the transfer case spinning without the engine running will cause the heat and strain issues.

[ktmrfs]

JoeChiOhki wrote:
Just wondering, is it possible to flat tow a 1984 Chevy K10 Suburban four down without having to disconnect the drive shafts?

the K10 is a 4wd correct? normally if it is a true 4wd, no center differential, putting 4wd transfer case in neutral lets you flat tow.

but I'm sure someone with this vintage can verify.