I am buying a 2000 Dakota that does not start/run and will have to be towed. It does not have an owners manual, so can anyone tell me if the axle has to be disengaged or will the transfer case put in neutral do the trick to tow with a dolly? Thanks in advance ~M

 

Use the tow dolly, and pull the rear driveshaft. That way, you KNOW you are safe. You can tie the shaft up, and leave it in the t-case, to prevent it from puking fluid. (though, since nothing is turning, not sure how much of an issue that would even be.)

 

Then putting the TC in neural wouldn't matter?

 

Nevermind, I just realized the truck wont start to put TC in neutral so I'm gonna have to take driveshaft out. 🙄

 

Another reason to dislike electronic 4x4.

I would think you should just be able to turn the ignition on, to get power to the 4x4 control stuff???

 

I've looked the truck over for about an hour, and realized the 4WD has the shifter in the floor, does this mean it's not electronic and I can put the TC in neutral w/o starting it? Sorry for the ignorance, my other 2 Dakotas have the shift on the fly, '02 & '03. Bought them new so working on a Dakota is new to me, haven't had to do anything to them.

 

Yeah, the stick on the floor you can shift whenever ya feel like it. Might be difficult to get it to shift not running, but, I suspect if you let it roll a bit, it's doable.

I would still pull the rear shaft....... Just to be safe.