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Author
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Topic: towing a mustang
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rockafellz
Journeyman Posts: 5
From: San Lorenzo, CA, USA
Registered: Aug 2001
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posted 08-20-2001 11:37 AM
   
Hello again All,I once again need your advice/help. I plan on towing a 1965 mustang with an automatic transmission. I will be towing the car ~400 miles. I have done some research already and I plan on renting a tow dolly or a car carrier. I'm leaning towards getting the tow dolly just because it's a lot cheaper. What I need help with is... I read that I have to disconnect the driveshaft, how hard is it to disconnect the driveshaft? If I disconnect the driveshaft, should I be concerned about ATF leaking and/or differential oil leaking? I also read that the steering wheel has to lock in the center position? Will that be a problem? If towing the car with a tow dolly is not safe, I will get a car carrier. My tow vehicle is a 5.4L 2000 Ford Expedition 4WD. In your opinion is that adequate enough for the trip? What is the maximum safe driving speed on flat straight freeways? Thanks in advance for the replies. Erik
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H8CHEVY
Gearhead Posts: 106
From: Southern Cali
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 08-20-2001 12:37 PM
Erik, as far as diconnecting the driveshaft there are two ubolts with 4 nuts, where the driveshaft hooks onto the third member (rearend).Then it slides out of the tranny. No fluid will leak out of the tranny or the rear end.. As far as locking the wheel in place maby one of the real gear heads around here can help you out... I towed my mustang with a little 2.3L Ranger so I think that Expedition should be more that adequate for the trip. I know at the Uhaul by my house its $10 more for the carrier trailor than the tow dolly.. so I would think it would just be easier to get the dolly and not waste your time disconnecting everything, and keep the wear and tear off the stang. 
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pony boy
Gearhead Posts: 247
From: n.y. n.y.
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 08-20-2001 12:38 PM
Hi I can answer a couple of questions for you.Taking out the driveshaft isn't too hard it's bolted to the rear by two u-bolts.Once you undo these it slips right out of the transmission.The rear won't leak,but the transmission will,you can buy a plug for the rear of the tranny to keep it from leaking.As for locking the steering wheel,when I used a dolly to tow my 65 coupe we used a steering wheel lock,It was similar to the club anti theft lock but this one locked the steering wheel to the brake pedal.It was cheap and held the wheels perfectly straight.As far as your tow vehicle I'm sure that will definately do the job.Personally I would try to get a full car trailer,but if you are going to get a dolly I hope these tips help somewhat.When I used a dolly for mine we had to go about 50 miles,I didn't remove my driveshaft though I just put the car in neutral.Good luck
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sigtauenus
Gearhead Posts: 1184
From: Lemoore, CA
Registered: Jun 2000
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posted 08-20-2001 07:03 PM
quote:
Originally posted by pony boy:
Hi I can answer a couple of questions for you.Taking out the driveshaft isn't too hard it's bolted to the rear by two u-bolts.Once you undo these it slips right out of the transmission.The rear won't leak,but the transmission will,you can buy a plug for the rear of the tranny to keep it from leaking.
All true. With the car flat, leakage from the tranny will be minimal, basically just whatever is still in the yoke when you pull it from the transmission. More may leak depending on how steep of an angle the car sits at on the dolly. If you can't find a tailshaft plug for the tranny, just go with a plastic baggy and a rubber band. Not perfect, but it will work. quote:
As for locking the steering wheel,when I used a dolly to tow my 65 coupe we used a steering wheel lock,It was similar to the club anti theft lock but this one locked the steering wheel to the brake pedal.It was cheap and held the wheels perfectly straight.
I towed a 67 one time without locking steering wheel and didn't have a problem. The tires were strapped down to the dolly tight and the wheels turning while on the dolly was not a factor. quote:
As far as your tow vehicle I'm sure that will definately do the job.Personally I would try to get a full car trailer,but if you are going to get a dolly I hope these tips help somewhat.
Right on. Your Expedition is more than enough power to tow the mustang. quote:
When I used a dolly for mine we had to go about 50 miles,I didn't remove my driveshaft though I just put the car in neutral.Good luck
Do not try towing 400 miles in neutral with the driveshaft attached. Automatic transmissions in neutral still turn the gears, but the pump doesn't turn, so there's no lubrication. Its ok for short trips (like the 50 miles mentioned above), but you run the risk of burning up the transmission on longer trips. I've had buddies learn that lesson the hard way. I don't like dollies very much, and keep them to 45 or 55, whatever they are rated at (usually the dolly is labeled at a place like U-haul), but I own my own car trailer and pretty much drive the speed limit to 5 over and it handles well. I would say a safe speed would be more of a function of safely stopping it, ie, if you have electric brakes on the trailer or not. [This message has been edited by sigtauenus (edited 08-20-2001).]
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Boss Hoss
Journeyman Posts: 29
From: Georgia
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 08-20-2001 08:20 PM
I myself will probably need to tow my early Mustang at some point, and I was considering using a dolly. One obvious question (at least in my opinion)...in order to avoid problems with the transmission turning while towing, what is wrong with towing the car by the REAR wheels and letting the front wheels drag? Is this not good to do? I am assuming you would use a "club" to lock the steering wheel if you did this. I have seen cars towed by the rear wheels, and I just think it would be a natural thing to do if you really wanted to keep the transmission and driveshaft intact. What is everyone's opinion on this?------------------
***Boss Hoss*** *andy* ([email protected]) [This message has been edited by Boss Hoss (edited 08-20-2001).]
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bluetech
Journeyman Posts: 61
From: Far and Away
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 08-20-2001 10:38 PM
I had all of my present cars towed by the rear wheels. That's because I wanted to make sure that the trans(A/T) won't suffer any damages. Also because I don't have to check if the differential has lubricant in it. But make sure you lock the steering or you're inviting trouble.
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John Holloway
Gearhead Posts: 337
From: Romeoville Illinois
Registered: Jul 2000
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posted 08-20-2001 10:50 PM
A long time ago I used a TowBar and a v-6 Chevy Citation to tow my mustangII around,I took out the driveshaft and installed a yoke into the trans that I bought from a junkyard.You can go to a tool store and buy a trans plug so the fluid won't run out too.I now Have a Dually and a 24ft.trailer...Life is Good!!
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Toronado3800
Journeyman Posts: 36
From: St. Louis, MO
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 08-21-2001 02:32 AM
Ey,
Towing a rear drive car rear wheels up is fine but it becomes VERY important to have the front wheels locked, like with the steering lock, seat belt wrapped through the wheel, and the belt off your jeans through it and closed into the front door important! If they aren't straight the car won't track right behind you and if they turn while in motion it's time to pray.Towing with the front wheels up I still liked to tie up the steering wheel but have done it w/o. Them little front drivers like Hyuandi's are just made to be wheel lifted with the front up (you just MIGHT be able to tow a C-6 or TH400 500 miles at 50mph like the AAA books claim, but most front drivers will fry in a mile or two towed with their drive wheels down, except for my Toro which AAA says can be towed 500, but I won't be the guinee pig) When you yank the driveshaft when wheel lifting from the front you don't even have to remove it completely if you can find some satisfactory way of tying it up like to the exhaust or something, just don't loose it on the hwy! Going 400 miles I'd go car carrier. It just follows you. Wheel lifts / dollies require constant attention to road conditions not to scrub your ride's bumpers. Dips pulling out of gas stations require the 45degree approach and all that extra trouble. Good luck,
Marc
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