Just wanted to know if you could flat tow a 86 Subaru 4x4 auto trans without doing damage to drivetrain???

Not more than about 5 miles without burning up the trans.

i thought as long as it was in FWD in neutral it would be fine.... although is this with a tow dolly or just towing?

I had a friend push me in my 86 3AT 4WD wagon home (broken timing belt). About 10 miles. The 4WD can not activate if the engine isn't running. We only traveled on streets, no highways. Under 40MPH. The only part of the drivetrain that should be at risk is the automatic transmission output shafts / bearings, since the ATF pump isn't running. But the rear output tail shaft is below the oil level, and the FWD (internal to the case) drive is pretty low in the housing also.

 

That 86 transmission is still working, now in it's 3rd car, my 87.

 

Not sure if it made any difference - I use synthertic ATF. It does help them shift better in winter.

I had a friend push me in my 86 3AT 4WD wagon home (broken timing belt). About 10 miles. The 4WD can not activate if the engine isn't running. We only traveled on streets, no highways. Under 40MPH. The only part of the drivetrain that should be at risk is the automatic transmission output shafts / bearings, since the ATF pump isn't running. But the rear output tail shaft is below the oil level, and the FWD (internal to the case) drive is pretty low in the housing also.

 

That 86 transmission is still working, now in it's 3rd car, my 87.

 

Not sure if it made any difference - I use synthertic ATF. It does help them shift better in winter.

 

this is true, but if in 4wd mode when engine stalls you have to disengage it manually from under the car,

 

had to do that with my 1985 5 speed when timing belt broke in order to use a dolly to tow it

this is true, but if in 4wd mode when engine stalls you have to disengage it manually from under the car,

 

 

The 3AT 4WD drive is activated by an electric solenoid. ATF flows through the valve to a clutch pack to transfer power to the rear driveshaft. If the engine isn't turning, there is no ATF pressure to activate the clutch pack.

 

I haven't done much of anything with the standard transmission since I retired my 78. I'm not sure why the 4WD lever wouldn't disengage the rear wheels - unless they happened to be bound up from normal cornering, etc. To release that, all you need to do is jack one rear wheel off the ground, & move the lever.