Car dolly

What's the best way to tow my 4 runner cross country?

 

Flatbed, enclosed would be better though

 

Car dolly’s SCARE me !!

I know a lot of people use them but IDK

4 tires on a TRAILER and I’m Happy

 

What Blue Pearl said. Get all 4 wheels off the road.

The issue is lubrication in the automatic transmission when the engine is not driving it but all the parts are spinning. I know there is a neutral position for at least the manual transfer case, but I’m not sure where in the gear train the “disconnect” actually occurs. I dragged my mother-in-law’s PT Cruiser from Phoenix when she moved. It was actually less expensive to rent a full auto trailer from Penske (along with their truck) than the tow dolly, it’s a lot easier to control if you need to back up, and it puts zero miles on your Runner. If your tow vehicle is full size or larger, go with the trailer (avoid the “tail wagging the dog” scenario).

 

I would think pulling the rear driveline would solve any lubrication problem in the transmission.

 

If you have the money have someone truck it on a car carrier. Also, if you have a transponder for tolls remember to remove it or it'll be getting charged on the way, the truck driver should know and remind you of that.

 

Yes, pulling the rear drive line would avoid the lubrication issue, but then whatever the front end of the drive line came out of would be open and would be subject to dribbling fluid or accumulating road gunk.

 

Not trying to argue but I've never seen a 4runner leak from removing a driveline.

 

It’s all good. I’ve never pulled one out of any Toyota. However, back in the day, I’ve pulled drivelines from all kinds of vehicles to replace u-joints and they always leak something. I just assume that something similar is possible with a 4 Runner, especially with the front wheels sitting higher than the rear on a tow dolly.

 

No, the drive shaft unbolts. 4 on each end. Everything remains sealed on the Toyota.

 

Drive it...

 

Good to know. A good “plan D” in a pinch.