I purchased an FB in San Francisco and I need to tow it back to Texas.

My current plan is to use a tow bar.

Option 1: remove valance and connect tow bar brackets directly to tow loops under front bumper.

Option 2: remove entire front bumper assembly and connect tow bar brackets to points where the bumper shocks were.

It is a 5-speed, but I was going to disconnect the shaft from the diff and trans.

Any comments or recommendations?

Can someone measure the distance between the tow loops?

Can someone measure the distance between the bumper shocks?

Thanks,
Brian T. Carter

 

Leave it together and rent a trailer.

 

Get a trailer, according to California Vehicle code book, if the car is not currently registered it may not touch the roadway. You are traveling thru several states, I would honestly recomment getting all 4 wheels off the payment.

 

It is currently CA registered/titled and current, but the title will be signed over to me.

A trailer one way would cost over $500. For $100 more, I could have it shipped. Since I am not paying for the gas, it is really attractive price-wise to pick it up. The only additional outlay is a tow-bar which I get to keep.

The only reason I am not driving it out is a) I don't want to unnecessarily put on miles, b) there is currently no AC I will be passing through the desert in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas in September, c) I don't know the car well enough to trust it for a long-haul, and d) the exhaust is basically a straight pipe - I will have headache within 30 minutes (not to mention basically be begging for some environmentalist-wacko minded cop to stop me).

Is there a specific technical reason I should not tow it on the roadway? If I remove the drive shaft, would it do any damage (several others told me 'no')? ...or is it just bad Karma?

I already have a light bar, so that will be attached on top.

Thanks,
BTC

 

Drop the drive and go for it, I would put some new gear oil in it prior to leaving, just so you know that its fresh.

Never tow bar my Rx-7, tow dolly and trailer though. See what a one way tow dolly would cost you.

 

get a tow dolley... uhaul charged me$50 a day for intown towing..... i went to houston to pick up a first gena and came back..


if you dont use a full trailer, drop the driveshaft, and fill the rear end with fresh oil.... just BE SURE TO PUT CHAINS ON THE CAR TO THE TOW VEHICLE...

 

when you pull the driveshaft be sure to put a spare drivshaft yoke into the rear of the trans and zip tie it down that way trans fluid won't get all over the ground, and your rear tires... which would make it real slippery.

we assume you have a tow vehicle with good brakes.

 

Actually, that price was for a tow dolly...a trailer would be closer to $900 one way.

Unfortunately, UHaul is not that stupid...they realize that if you want it for more than a day, it isn't local. I rented one 4 years ago to rescue my dead Bronco II that died *exactly* have-way between Houston and San Antonio. I believe it had an odometer on it.

Anyway, I can call and ask. I could do the whole thing in 5-6 days, which would put it around $300 plus tax. A tow bar is about $130. The only thing a tow dolly would do is get the front wheels up...I don't see much advantage to that. I suppose it is more secure overall.

Where can I get a spare yoke to put in the rear of the trans...that is an excellent idea? Any ideas on a good substitute to plug that hole?

Thanks,
BTC

 

damn, thats alot for a tow dolly. i would just strap some chains on and go for it. no a tow bar should work fine. good luck

 

Why bother plugging the hole, just drain the transmission gear oil, that way nothing will run out. Since the drive line is removed you can't drive it anyways.


John

 

The car is in the Mission district of San Francisco. There is really no room to work there, although I was thinking of initially driving/towing it to this business park area I know of in Foster City (about 40 miles from SF) and doing stuff there to make it easier to tow.

I really don't want to go through the hassle of draining it, what to do with the gear oil...although I am 100% sure I was going to change the oil once I get to Texas anyway...hmm...I'll think about it. Maybe that isn't such a bad idea afterall...then I just use a rubber-band and baggie to cover up the hole to prevent road debris from entering. Still, what to do with the oil...in CA, handling used gear oil is probably a felony punishable by death.

Thanks,
BTC