I may be getting a 1983 GL Wagon, manual with the DR 4x4. Can I tow this across 150 miles or so with a two-wheel tow dolly from U-Haul, or will I need to get the whole trailer?

It'l tow just fine on a dolly. Ebrake on and tranny in neutral.

Also,make sure it's in FWD mode only.

Wait, e-brake on? Tow with the rear wheels on the dolly?

 

I'm just confused, as my 00 Forester needed to be trailered, and I don't want to hose rears or transfer cases.

 

So, in 2WD, in neutral, rear wheels off the ground, e-brake on?

Rear wheels on the ground.Front wheels on the dolly.Ebrake on 'cause on that rig,the ebrake is only on the front wheels.Tranny in neutral and front diff in front wheel drive mode.

I don't know about the Forester.The ebrake system may be different on that.

But,on the '83 GL,the ebrake only locks the front wheels.

OK, learn sumpin' new ever' day. I've never come across a car that the e-brake locked anything but the rear wheels. /shrug

 

Forester can't be towed with any wheels on the ground. Or, so am I told.

 

I appreciate the help!

 

James

yep. the early soobs had e-brake on front calipers...

 

and you could even flat tow the old ones if you wanted... well, the man trans ones at least

Yep - I had a neighbor that flat towed an '85 GL 5 speed D/R behind his motorhome for years. Bought it new and eventually had to replace it (had 320k on it) but the new soobs wouldn't flat tow so he bought a Saturn :-\.

 

I brought an '83 wagon back from Seattle on a two-wheel dolly many years ago. Works just great.

 

And if you have to do it with a newer one - you can pull the rear driveline section. More work, but if it's all you have to work with it can be done.

 

GD