I'm moving from CA to TX. I'm going to be towing my Jeep behind my Suburban with a towbar. Should I put the 5 speed in gear or leave it in neutral? I know obviously that I should put t-case in neutral. I don't want to, but would disconneting the driveshafts be the best and most time consuming way to go. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

I have towed dozens of 4X4's... ALL were towed with the transfercase in neutral and the transmission in PARK or a low gear. I always place the transfercase in neutral and then start the engine and put the tranmission in gear and give some gass to make sure I absolutly have the transfercase in neutral.
Make sure to turn the key on to disconnect the steering wheel so the towed vehicle will trail properly.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

I agree with Big Jim, now. I always towed with both in neutral, but the owners manual says to put the Transmission in gear. Remember backing up will not be easy. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

The answer depends on what transmission and transfer case you have. Naturally, any automatic transmission should be placed in Park, because the fluid pump works off of the input shaft.

However, some transfer cases (like the Dana 300 in my CJ7)shouldn't be run more than 50 miles or so in neutral. This is because the t-case gears are splash lubricated - and on the D300 the splash is created by the input gears, not the rear output gears (which are too high in the fluid level) which won't create the proper splash for gear-lubricating. If I had a manual tranny, I could put the t-case in 2WD and the tranny in neutral. The rear wheels would cause the t-case output gears to spin, that would cause the t-case input gears to spin and splash lubricate the t-case.

However, I have an automatic ranny, so it must be placed in Park to prevent it from turning. So the t-case can't be left in 2WD.

So for me, if I'm making a short, less-than-50-miles, trip, I would just put the tranny in Park and the t-case in neutral. If I was making a longer trip than that, I'd have to disconnect the rear end of the rear driveshaft.

That was a major PITA. So, when I converted the rear axle to a full floater with lock-out hubs, I gained a big advantage for flat-towing. Now, I just unlock all four hubs and tow away. Just gotta remember to engage the rear hubs before disconnecting the tow bar, else the Jeep coasts away!! (g)

What is the benefit of having the the 5 speed manual transmission in gear versus having it in neutral. I have a 2000 TJ with the stock t-case.

The benefit is that for SURE the transfer case is positivly in neutral!!
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Pull the driveshafts, If you have ever seen what a tranfercase an tranny looks like if a bad bump was hit, and 1 in a billion chances it engages, you will spend a dog
pile of money.............

According to "06 Tj book

Place parking break off....
Place t-case in 2wd or neutral cant remember....
Revs. 10 ft. then forward....
Place manual trans in 1st gear....
Place t-case in neutral....
Dont attempt to tow with clip on, use only frame mounted tow bar....

If memory serves me right that should do it... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />
C.

Step #2 must NOT be neutral, otherwise you couldn't accomplish Step #3. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />