ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: seamaster on August 20, 2007, 02:32:09 PM
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How do you flat tow the toy?
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I am sure there is an easier way but IMO the bset way is to remove the driveshafts.
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Suzuki Sidekick Flat/Dolly Towing Instructions
by Jim "Ack" Cambron
(Note that this information is useful for towing the Geo Tracker and Suzuki Samurai)
The following is an excerpt from the 1993 Sidekick Owner's Manual:
Towing Method "A" Four wheels on the ground/Manual transmission Towbar)
Item / Position
Ignition / "ACC"
Emergency Brake / OFF
Manual Transmission / 2nd Gear
Transfer Case / Neutral
Hubs / FREE
Note: If you have auto-locking hubs, follow the instructions in Towing method D (below) to make sure that the hubs are in the "free" mode.
Stop every 200 miles (300 km). Leaving the transmission in 2nd gear and the transfer case in neutral, run the engine 1 minute to circulate the lubricant in the transfer case.
Towing Method "B" (Four wheels on the ground/Automatic Transmission)
Item / Position
Ignition / "ACC"
Emergency Brake / OFF
Automatic Transmission / Park
Transfer Case / Neutral
Hubs / FREE
Note: If you have auto-locking hubs, follow the instructions in Towing method D (below) to make sure that the hubs are in the "free" mode.
Stop every 200 miles (300 km). Start the engine. Leaving the transfer case in neutral, place the transmission in "D" and run the engine 1 minute to circulate the lubricant in the transfer case.
Towing Method "C" (manual locking hubs, front wheels on ground and rear wheels on a dolly)
Item / Position
Ignition / "ACC" (unlocks steering wheel)
Hubs / FREE
Set the the front wheels so that they are pointing forward, then secure the steering wheel with a wheel clamping device designed for towing.
Towing Method "D" (auto-locking hubs, front wheels on ground and rear wheels on a dolly)
Item / Position
Ignition / "ACC" (unlocks steering wheel)
Hubs / FREE
Before placing the rear wheels on the dolly, make sure the automatic hubs are unlocked by using the following procedure from the Free-Wheeling Hubs" section:
(Editor's note: If you are familiar with the procedure and used it after the last time you had the transfer case in 4-Low or 4-High, disregard the following. However, to be on the safe side, I am including the procedures for locking and unlocking the hubs. -- Ack)
Locking Automatic Locking Hubs:
1 Stop vehicle completely
2 Disengage clutch or put Automatic transmission into Neutral and place transfer case into 4L or 4H.
3 Drive forward slowly to lock automatic locking hubs
Unlocking Automatic Hubs:
1 Stop vehicle completely
2 Disengage clutch or put Automatic transmission into Neutral and place transfer case into 2H.
3 Drive the vehicle 4 to 5 feet in the OPPOSITE direction that the vehicle was moving just before you placed the transfer case into 2H. This will unlock the automatic locking hubs.
Set the the front wheels so that they are pointing forward, then secure the steering wheel with a wheel clamping device designed for towing.
Towing Method "E" (2WD vehicle, front wheels on ground and rear wheels on a dolly)
Item / Position
Ignition / "ACC" (unlocks steering wheel)
Set the the front wheels so that they are pointing forward, then secure the steering wheel with a wheel clamping device designed for towing. Editor's note: There are no instructions for dolly-towing a vehicle with the rear axle on the ground. It would be my assumption that this is the case because Suzuki does not expect the owner to be equipped with the necessary information (bolt torque specifications, etc.) to properly remove and re-install the rear driveshaft.
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Thanks for the very detailed answer!
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Suzuki Sidekick Flat/Dolly Towing Instructions
Editor's note: There are no instructions for dolly-towing a vehicle with the rear axle on the ground. It would be my assumption that this is the case because Suzuki does not expect the owner to be equipped with the necessary information (bolt torque specifications, etc.) to properly remove and re-install the rear driveshaft.
My handbook states this should be limited to no more than 50 miles at a maximum of 30mph. This is without removing the driveshaft, I did type out the full text but it timed out.
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Everything from SKAsammy is very detailed and right on. On my 87 Samurai I added a rocker on/off switch on the ignition power cable, this prevents the battery from discharging when towing, and also comes in handy as a kill switch.