Hello everyone,

I just finished setting up my 1998 F-150 for towing behind my Motor Home. Can anyone tell me how I can keep the miles from Adding up on the odometer when it is being towed?

Les

 

What kind of counter do you have, analog or digital? Seems if the truck is in neutral, off and bieng towed as such, I would think it wouldn't rack up miles, in digital form, or by yanking the speedo gear for analog, no? Interesting.

 

It has an analog odometer. Maybe I had the key in the on position, I will try it again.

Les

 

1998 models have analog odometers, so with the transfer case in neutral you should be good.

 

DO NOT FLAT-TOW IT with the t-case in N. Follow the instructions in the owner's manuals or you could damage the t-case &/or trans. Ford also publishes a yearly manual that describes how to tow every vehicle in production. You can probably dl it free by surfing around this site:
http://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/...9/maintoc.html
If it's not available for your year, change the URL to something later, like 2003.

 

Disconnecting the rear driveshaft will do it. But definitely follow the flat tow instructions.

 

You cannot flat tow the electronic 4x4 vehicles. Manual 4x4, just throw the t-case in neutral. 4x2 = disconenct drive shaft.

 

APT
You're gonna ruin your t-case, or someone else's.

 

I read the manual before I bought the truck. The manual states that I can tow 4 wheels down & to shift the transfer case to neutral & cap off vacuum line to the front rear. I do have the manual transfer case. If this info is not correct please let me know.

Les

 

How so? The manual t-case alowws for a complete disconnect from the transmission. From my 2003 Owner's manual regarding manual transfer cases:

Using the N (Neutral) position
The transfer case N (Neutral) position overrides the transmission
and puts the vehicle in neutral regardless of transmission
gearshift lever position. The vehicle can move forward or
backward.
This position should only be used when towing the vehicle.
Do not leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the
N (Neutral) position. Always set the parking brake fully and turn
off the ignition when leaving the vehicle.

 

As I said in my first post, the transmission isn't the only concern.

You're flinging out advice as if one answer works for EVERY truck. Just because it might be OK to flat-tow yours with the t-case in N; that doesn't mean it's OK for the original poster's truck, or anyone else's who might read this thread. Some t-case fluid pumps are driven off the INput shaft, so flat-towing them with the d'shafts installed will burn up the rear OUTput shaft bearings, and more.

 

After reading the post here i'm not sure if I can flat tow or not. My owners manual tells me I can. I'm sorry if I started a heated thread here, I really would like a confirmation I can flat tow my truck.

1998 4X4 F-150, Manual Transfer case


Thanks for the help

Les

 

If the owner's manual says it's OK, then it is. But with the d'shaft installed, the VSS will be spinning, and the odo MIGHT be counting those miles. Do a short test to find out. If it is, just unplug the VSS for towing. Be sure to reconnect it before driving.

 

I have no Idea where the VSS is. Can someone tell me where the best place to unplug it would be and what it looks like?

Thanks for the help

Les

 

Top front of your rear axle. Unplug it. Steve83 gave you a picture of it. Click it to make it bigger. But you don't have to do that. I'm purty sure that 98 model will not track miles with the key off.