I'm going to get my XJ towed to a mechanic tomorrow. It's a 2001 XJ Sport 4x4 Automatic.

I'm working to get a flat bed tow truck, but it might be a regular tow truck.

For a flat bed, I'm guessing it's just a matter of putting the XJ's transmission in neutral and let them winch the XJ onto the flat bed. I'm thinking it won't matter the position of the 2WD/4WD lever. Does this all sound correct?

If it's a regular tow truck (lift the front end of XJ), is there anything special to do? I'm guessing put the XJ's transmission in neutral, but what about the 2WD/4WD lever?

 

Put the transfer case in neutral and the transmission in park to tow it.

 

no. that's for a flat tow, like behind a motorhome.

just let the tow truck operator do his job. he knows what he's doing. don't try helping him, trust me, it's what i do.
but just so you know, if it's a flatbed, he will hook up the winch to the frame, or front/rear bumper if yours is aftermarket with d shackles, then he will put the jeep into neutral. don't have it in neutral while he's under it. even if it's on flat ground. if there's no driveshaft, warn him.
if it's a wrecker, he will lift whatever wheels he can get to, then he will put dollies under the other set of wheels, so all four wheels are off the ground. he may use straps, depending on the wheel lift he's using. the trans stays in park for this tow truck.

 

You still want the transfer case in neutral for towing with the front wheels off of the ground, or else the transmission output will be spinning and it could burn up the transmission since its not being lubricated by the pump. If he puts dollies under the other two wheels or tows it on a flatbed that won't be an issue obviously.

 

[QUOTE=caged;3572979]no. that's for a flat tow, like behind a motorhome.

just let the tow truck operator do his job. he knows what he's doing. don't try helping him, trust me, it's what i do./QUOTE]

You sound like you know what you're doing, but unfortunately like auto mechanics, they range from experienced to idiots. Most of the drivers around here just throw the tranny in neutral, lift the front, and drive away. For a short tow of a few miles it's probably not an issue. A longer tow or the 242 left in fulltime 4wd would be a problem. I watched a guy last year stop 2 miles down the road to release the parking brake after he noticed the smoke. Checking your owners manual and/or asking for advice to understand what the tow truck operator should do isn't a bad idea. I would just let the driver know that what the drivers manual suggests and then get out of the way.

 

if it's a wrecker style. make sure he uses dollies. don't let him tow it without them. insist on it, or ask for another driver.
if it's a flatbed, don't worry about it. he may or may not put the jeep in park, once he strapped it all down. he may use chains for the rear, make sure it's to the t-slot holes on your frame, and to cross the rear chains. front needs two safety chains and use load binders.

 

It's getting so AAA won't tow ANY car anymore without flatbedding it.