Hello, yes i am new to the forum, not really big on spending too much time on my computer... anyways i have been searching for a 1st gen 4Runner for about a year now that is in my range and fixing capability. I have found a few but tragic accidents claimed a few of them(drunk drivers) before i could even go see them in person. Point of this thread... I have found an 87 4Runner that needs a head gasket and radiator, Radiator cracked and it overheated. the truck is 90 miles from my house and i have to find out how to get it home if i buy this one(its real cheap, you'll be jealous) I'm pretty sure it needs a flatbed to not wear out anything on it, anybody know of a cheap way to get this thing towed home? maybe renting a flatbed trailer? where can i do that, i've searched online unsucessfully, My dad has his 07 V6 tacoma that i could pull it with? just looking for suggestions. thanks a heap

 

You could pull your 87 on a dolly with the taco...possibly. Im not sure of the weight ratings on the taco though..

If you do tow the 4runner without a flatbed, remove the rear d-shaft. or unbolt it from the diff and tie it up out of the way.

 

For flat towing see below (2nd Q&A):
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/TLCA_Tru...ech.05.03.html

Might check with some local U-Haul type places to find a flat bed trailer or see if you can locate a local 4WD club and see if anyone there has a trailer for their rig. A tow bar on the truck and the rear drive shaft removed is probably the lowest cost option. Or a tow dolly with either the front or rear wheels up off the road would also work short of a trailer.

 

thanks for the quick responses guys. good forum you've got here. i know i can rent a tow dolly but i didnt think to unbolt the rear driveshaft. i haven't towed anything but a boat on a trailer and some lawnmowers at my work. didn't want to kill the Runner before it gets home

 

I have pulled a few first gen's and a second gen home with a Uhaul dolly behind a T-100. If its a manual transmission, there's no reason to undo the driveshaft, unless you really want to... just put it in neutral. A set of aux lights with the magnetic bases is good to add to the rig.

 

it is a manual. but wont the driveshafts still spin and cause harm to the transfer case because of lack of lubrication? there is no neutral on the transfercase

 

There is a neutral on the transfercase. If you're going more than 50 miles, take the shaft off. If you're just doing less than 50 miles, it will be fine. I pulled my 1985 Pickup home with my 1990 4runner about a distance of 35 km.

 

negative: even in with the transmission and transfer cae in neutral the rear driveshaft is still spinning. I destroyed a transfer case flat towing my '84 and never knew the reason, just replaced the case and than I became edumacated:
From the master of Toyota Transfercase:

Originally Posted by Marlin Crawler
On all auto chain driven and manual gear driven t/cases, if it is towed in two wheel drive, the output shaft will turn, but there will be no way for the oil at the bottom of the case to get to the top where the output shaft is. On the chain driven cases, the input shaft turns the planetary housing which drives the oil pump. Gear driven cases use the input gear and low range gears to throw oil on the inside of the housing that collects the oil via gutters and directs it to the rear of the case by gravity. Both style of cases, must have the input shaft spinning to lube the output shaft, speedo gears, and rear seal of the t/case. The rear driveshaft must be removed.
Marlin

Get a tow dolly, drop the rear shaft. I just sold my '05 Tacoma. Your dad's '07 will tow a 4runner a short distance like 90 miles fine.