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Towing a 4 speed  Rate Topic 
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 Posted: 07-20-2026 07:13 pm
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ptroot
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I'm getting prepared for towing my late brother's 1973 J-H with a 4 speed from southern Wisconsin to Minnesota. We have a tow dolly.

It hasn't been driven much, less than a couple of hundred miles, in the last 2 years so I don't want to chance problems on the road until I understand its reliability.

Anyway, is it OK for the car to be towed with the drive shaft insitu? I know from experience, the TR7 5 speed could not be towed, due to the oil pump of that transmission. The 4 speed came from Sunbeam.

Should I remove the drive shaft, or is that not neccessary.

Paul.

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 Posted: 07-21-2026 01:12 pm
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noomg
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Paul,

I'm familiar with the TR7 trans and the problem with towing it, it has a pump that lubes the trans when the motor is running without it the trans can be damaged. The J/H 4spd doesn't have a trans pump so you're probably OK to tow as is but under the heading of better safe than sorry, we're only talking 4 bolts and about 20 minutes. Your call.

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 Posted: 07-22-2026 05:48 pm
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Sander
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Leaving the shaft in could cause tranny overheating. If you remove the shaft completely you risk tranny oil spilling out and making a real mess. I have disconnected the shaft at the axle and strapping the shaft up to the exhaust pipe leaving the front of the shaft in the tranny. Rear wheels spin, without overheating the tranny and no fluid leaks out.

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 Posted: 07-24-2026 09:17 pm
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ptroot
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Sander wrote:
Leaving the shaft in could cause tranny overheating. If you remove the shaft completely you risk tranny oil spilling out and making a real mess. I have disconnected the shaft at the axle and strapping the shaft up to the exhaust pipe leaving the front of the shaft in the tranny. Rear wheels spin, without overheating the tranny and no fluid leaks out.

Thanks, it makes sense to remove.

Does the transmission not have a rear seal? Or are you just assuming the seal may leak?

Paul.

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 Posted: 07-25-2026 01:11 am
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chuckcm14
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I liked the Uhaul car hauler for my 900 mile trip. The car ran so no problem loading. I guess you could wrench it up or use a come along. I have used a two wheel trailer no problem but a little hard to backup. Turns quick. I guy met on the road was hauling a rear wheel drive car with the rear wheels on the cradle. Kept the steering unlocked. Did not have to remove the driveshaft.

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 Posted: 07-25-2026 04:53 pm
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ptroot
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I looked around on the internet to find the best way to strap the driveshaft up. And being paranoid, really didn't like the idea.

But I found a universal kit of transmission plugs on Amazon for $15. So they are on the way.

Thanks all.

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