So can I tow my 97 with the front wheels on a tow dolly?

On page 144 of the owners manual it states

""towing a disabled vehicle

"Four-wheel-drive vehicles should be towed with the front raised and the rear wheels on the ground. Insure that the transfer case is in neutral (N) and the transmission is either in park (automatic transmission) or in gear (manual transmission)

Page 131 of the owners manual

Recreational Towing (behind motor home, etc)

4x4 Vehicles

Caution internal damage to the transfer case will occur if a front or rear wheel lift is used when recreational towing

So both of these are from the owners manual....which is correct?

It also says place transfer case in neutral and transmission in park and then hook up tow bar..

So can I tow it on a dolly or not?

 

Yes. Just remove the rear driveshaft if you're unsure. After that, nothing will be rotating except the rear axle.

 

That's what I'm trying to avoid....I really don't want to keep hooking it up and disconnecting it each time I stop for a few days at a location.

 

Both are fine. Transmission in Park and transfer case in Neutral. As long as you do that, even with the rear drive shaft in you'll just be putting those extra miles on about half of the drive train. Within the transfer case there's a small oil pump. It is driven directly off of the main output shaft - that is to say it will always be lubricated in the rear DS is turning. No worries.

The problem in the transmission - its oil pump is driven by the input. It's very important to put it in Park as hydraulic action just from the spinning components in the transfer case can cause it to turn, and lead to wear as theres no lubrication without the pump turning.

 

^X2 I have towed both of my GC and the XJ flat behind the Motor Home best way to go if you have a good Tow Bar and the Jeep is wired for lights. I do not have the hookup for the XJ only for my 04 GC but I can hookup or unhook in just about 1 min. and ready to travel.


When I take the XJ with I prefer my race car trailer fast and easy to use......If something breaks a way to get it loaded and home easy. I have flat towed with my last 3 RV's but this Diesel Pusher sure does pull them easier.


If you plan on doing this often buy a good tow bar and mount $7-$1500 its worth every penny the dollies are a PITA to work with on a trip.

 

Towed the Xj up to Zion over the last weekend with a front wheel dolly, all went well, placed transfer case in neutral and transmission in park, unlocked the steering and all went well.

I had a tow bar setup for it but went with a dolly so I could two my YJ also.

 

I towed my 94 4.0 aw4 with the front wheels on the dolly and the tears on the ground. Transfer case in neutral me transmission in park.
Towed like this for about an hour. No problems 1 year later.