[Dean]

I tow a 2013 F250 4×4 diesel King Ranch. I had the driveshaft disconnect installed at Draiveshaft Services in Atlanta. It has been flawless in every way. I’d do it again in a second.

[Archived]

Very satisfied after two years on my 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4×4. Installed at Driveshaft King in Dallas. Total installed cost $1,1000

[Dick]

how about the steering wheel lock? and the turning of the wheels? how does that work?

[Archived]

I address the steering lock on the F250 by leaving a “dummy” key in the ignition in the OFF position. The dummy key is a standard, noncommunicating Ford key I had cut at a hardware store. After attaching truck to bus and pulling the dtiveshaft disconnect, I remove the normal key, insert the dummy key, turn it one click forward, then one click back, and leave the dummy key in the ignition. On my car the two-click deal disengages the steering lock, and it will stay unlocked until the dummy is removed. This way the car is completely off, and no one could steal the truck with the dummy key.

On a previously-owned ’08 Wrangler I simply removed the locking pid from the column.

[joel]

Some vehicles do not have a steering wheel lock. I know my 50 Ford does not. Nor does our Hummer.

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1999 XLV X-6872,  liberty #440

[Archived]

Hi Jeff,

Is your FJ a standard or Automatic. I would like to get one but after reading Toyota’s information about not flat towing I was reconsidering. Have you had any issues at all. Any information would be appreciated.

Mark

[needtocamp]

Happy New Year Mark – We have had zero problems with the Remco driveshaft disconnect on our 2013 Toyota FJ Cruiser 4×4 with automatic transmission, and we thoroughly enjoy both the disconnect and the FJ as a toad. As mentioned above, we use a non-chip ignition key turned slightly “on” to free the steering wheel so the front tires turn/follow our coach. In my pre-purchase research, I found a few others who successfully tow an FJ, as well as other Toyota vehicles, without issue. If you have a disconnect installed, I highly recommend you prepare a written check-off list to guide you step-by-step each time you connect to tow to ensure you do not miss a step. I believe Toyota states no flat towing as the transfer case/transmission would not be lubed if the transfer case and transmission were simply put in neutral and then towed. About the FJ, we chose it as we thought it was more comfortable, roomy, and likely more dependable than a Jeep, which is more easily towed. Our first trip with it was three weeks in Silverton, Colorado where we road nearly all the old mining trails where the FJ performed flawlessly. We had never been off-road and found the FJ to climb like a mountain goat. We are obviously very pleased with it. The only disappointment is that Toyota will discontinue the FJ after the 2014 year model.

[Chris]

Happy New Year to you as well Jeff. Thanks for input about your FJ, you also brought up a point that I’ve questioned othes about, that being the dependabilty of the Jeep products vs the Toyota. As most people know the Toyota’s are usually very dependable and give few problems. The FJ is the direction that we are heading and I might get back with you in the future and get more information.

And we are just North of you up in Arlington. Our oldest son and his family are close to you, they live in New Waverly.

Mark and Gail

[Tom]

I know drive shaft disconnects work great on two wheel drive automatics. But how does it work on a four wheel drive? Won’t you have front and rear differentials still drive the transfer case? Or do you disconnect both front and rear drive shafts?

Gerald

[Bob]

Likely auto or manual front hubs so front wheels don’t turn half shafts & therefore front diff. Most 4×4’s (except Land Rover/Range Rover) aren’t permanent four wheel drive.

[Archived]

All my 4 wheel drive vehicles with the exception of the Audis had a neutral in the transfer case that made them acceptable for towing.

Some 4WD have no neutral and cannot be towed because of that.

[Archived]

I have a ford 4×4 Excursion that I tow and use a disconnect on the rear drive line. They work great, but one thing you must watch is if you tow a trailer with the Truck the cage that holds the disconnect will loosen and fall off. I have gone thru two of these until I talked to a REMCO tech and he told me that they have seen this before. He also told me that REMCO sold this product line to someone else. Currently I only use the disc that locks the drive shaft and crawl under to move it. If I elect to get a thrid cage I will check the u-bolts that hold the unit on before and after towing. The only purpose of the cage is to shift the disc ring back and forth.

Automatics in 4×4’s are either manual switched at the hub or they have a switch in the cab to place the vehicle in 2wd, 4wd hi or 4wd low, if in 2wd the front hubs are disconnected then you only need to disconnect the rear driveline with the REMCO.