I recently purchased a 1995 dakota 4x4 with automatic trans.The truck lost oil pressure while driving it home. I towed it about 40 miles with the transfer case in neutral and the trans. in park per owner's manual. I later had it towed by a 'professional' tow company to my home(about 140 miles)After installing a junk yard engine, I discovered the transfer case wouldn't shift at all. The tow truck driver towed it with the front tires on the ground.I believe he put the trans. in neutral, but not the transfer case.He claims to have towed it properly and blames any damage on me. He has provided a used case which I installed only to discover my front diff. is free wheeling.The diff. doesn't have a vacuum actuator, Also when I removed the old case it was stuck in 4 wheel High. I'm wondering if all that damage occurred from the way it was towed. Before purchasing the vehicle I engaged the transfer case in high, low and back to 2 high with 0 problems. Any one have some helpful in put ?

 

Welcome to the site. It should have been towed on a flatbed as rear wheel cars can not go above 35 miles per hour if they are towed with the front wheels in the air. My Coronet needed towed and the driver drove 20 MPH so that he would not damage the drivetrain (it is not a 4x4). I will move this thread to the first generation Dakota section as someone there will be more helpful,
FF

 

The tow truck driver did do it incorrectly. I would say take it up with his boss or go higher if it is a larger company.

Also the replacement case sounds like it was an older case, with vacuum switch for the front axle. But with your truck not having a vacuum operated front diff it should still work just fine. I don't understand why it didn't work.

 

The replacement case was identical to the origional. I forgot to mention that even after the origional damage, I was able to drive the truck back and forth to work for a couple of weeks, just no 4x4.When I installed the replacement case I noticed the front driveline spun freely. I am pulling the front diff. cover this weekend to assess the damage.

 

check the tag on the transfer case, it should be a New Process 231

 

It is a np231 D

 

exactly why i find 1 good mechanic..tow company..auto parts store..etc and stick to em. my mechanics do stuff for free here and there. the tow company is owned by family friends. and the store employees love me. the last time someone in my family had something towed it wasnt by our usual guys and the impatient *** just put the jeep transfer case into nuetral and winched it up which messed up the alignment and some front end parts. thats why i never leave my truck when its getting worked on or towed or anything. not saying you did lol just my 2 cents and all

 

I usually don't depend on anyone for my mechanical stuff. I would have towed it home myself if I had access to a tow vhicle, but I was in a tight spot. A co-worker suggested the company(he uses them regularly without problems)The company claims they are only agreeing to fix the t-case problem to stay in good with him.I haven't contacted them yet about the front diff.