Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Dinghy Towing (Read 3558 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #50 –
Quote from: Roland Begin –
Important you don't forget anything when hooking it up.
Yep, like one of the tow bar arms!!!  Still don't know how I did that.  Was last winter down at Skidaway SP in Savannah.  Put the pin and lock on and everything, but the one arm was not attached.  Bent the other just a hair.  Have to send it in to Blue Ox and get it fixed.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #51 –
Oh yea! Forgot, you can't back up without bending at least one tow arm. Don't ask me how I know that. :'(

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #52 –
Jerry, As yours is a 5 speed you may not know the answer but I'm wondering if I should have the auto in P, N or 2 along with the transfer case in neutral for towing?  How about the key...in ACC?  I have to find out about the hubs.  Seller doesn't know so I won't find out till I pick it up next month.  He's storing it for me till I can get up to get it in about six weeks.  He says everything is automatic for towing so if the hubs are auto locking the previous owner just took his chances.  I hope they are manual so I don't have the expense of changing them. 
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #53 –
I tow a Suzuki X90 which has the same 4x4 drivetrain as a sidekick (or a Tracker). Automatic tranny in park, transfer case in neutral, manual front hubs unlocked. The automatic tranny in park keeps the output shaft to the transfer case from turning which would damage the tranny. Asuna manual front hubs are not difficult to find because they were used by Suzuki for years. There are two different seals, a gasket or an "O" ring. Be sure to get lockers which are sealed the same way as the auto lockers you are replacing because the spacing is different. My X90 came with "O" ring type auto lockers, however, most Trackers come with manual lockers.

Ignition key in ignition is to unlock the steering wheel. I removed the steering locking mechanism so do not need the key in the ignition. I did not want to discharge battery with key in "acc" position and key half way between "off" and "acc" jiggled into off because there is no indent to keep the key from turning.

Backing up with X90 attached is something I do all the time, even around shallow curves. Have someone beside the car who can signal if the front wheels get pushed to the "hard left" or "hard right" position. Pull forward to straighten the wheels before backing up some more. Continuing to back with wheels in full lock will cause damage to tow bar. 
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #54 –
Dwayne, 

Have the seller check the front hubs.  If manual there is a two position knob with an arrow pointing to either 4x2 or 4x4. 4x2 is the towing position and unlocks the front wheels from the front axle. I have superwinch hubs and you can get them new for around $130. 

I do exactly what Wyatt does when hooking up except I put the tranny in 2nd gear.  Make sure your locking pin is in on the hitch (pull up on the tongue to make sure it doesn"t come off the ball!). Make sure your safety chains or cables are hooked up, hook up for lights is secure ( I use duct tape on both connections), test your turn signals and brake lights and make sure your parking brake is off.  Don't lock the doors unless you have spare key!  Under 3000lbs you don't need an auxillary braking system. Use the same procedure every time and after a few times you can do it with confidence in about 5 minutes. Having a backup camera really helps when making turns, etc. because you won't hardly know its back there.  I towed mine with a minnie winnie over 10,000 miles without one and without incident.

Wyatt,

I still have the steering wheel locking mechanism so I turn the key to ACC and turn the radio off. I haven't had a problem yet with the key or the battery, and I would appreciate your procedure for removing the locking mechanism. I'm not worried about tracking the mileage but it it would nice not to worry about the key or accidentally  locking the steering wheel. I love the X-90 and have you done any other mods to it?

Thanks Wyatt and good luck Dwayne!

Jerry



























The selected media item is not currently available.
Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #55 –
Haven't picked it up yet but the seller insists that the hubs can be manually operated from outside or remotely from inside.  Doesn't sound right.
Dwayne Keith
1992 U240
3116/MD3060

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #56 –
No!  But around here in the winter months, some people leave their hubs locked in and use the inside transfer case to engage and dis-engage the 4 wheel drive as they need it.  I don't know of any hubs that can be manually operated from outside or remotely from inside. 
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #57 –
Dwayne,

I agree with Pat. If the seller can send you a close-up photo of the front hub then we should be able to determine which type it is.  The OEM hubs are completely sealed and should say AUTO  free wheel hub on them.

Jerry
The selected media item is not currently available.
Jerry and Cindy Maddux
1993 U300/36WTBI DD6v92TA
build 4271  "Miss Lou"
1995 suzuki sidekick 4x4 toad
Gulfport, Ms

"Pride of Ownership"

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #58 –
Clearly there are many versions of front 4X4 hubs, on my 2011 F350 4X4 there is no need to Manually twist the hub selector,  whe you select the 4 wheel position, the hubs are engaged buy vacuum or electric. This setup is incapable 4 down towing as no method of selecting  neutral in the transfer box, all electric shift. Works great for what it is.
Dave M
 

Re: Dinghy Towing

Reply #59 –
Auto hubs on the Suzuki X90 work like a broom handle which can be extended then locked with a twist. Unlock by twisting in the opposite direction. The auto-lock hubs on my Bronco II were the same.

In later years, Suzuki moved the locking mechanism from outside the wheel to inside the front differential, such that the right and left half shafts turned with the front wheels all the time. Many purist 4x4 folk objected to the increased fuel consumption that this apparently caused and replaced the axle end blanks with manual lockers.

The steering lock on the X90 is on the bottom of the steering column. I removed the press pin fixing the round cover, then removed the plunger which locked the steering and the spring which pushed the plunger up when the key was removed (actually spring and plunger just fell out). I found this mechanism with a visual inspection and a hunch - did not know result until it was done, but knew I could reinstall if not the steering lock. 
Wyatt
96 U320 40 WTFE, build 4943
84 Toyota Supra towd
2015 Jeep Wrangler towd
Victoria, BC, Canada