I have 1997 ford ranger 4x4 automatic and would like to flat tow this truck. I can't find a neutral tow kit for it. Is there anyway that I can do to flat tow.

 

Pull the driveshafts

 

Couple of things you can do
The BW1354 transfer case does have a Neutral it is just not a selection with the electric shift module(GEM) Ford used.
The Neutral Kits added that position to the GEM, as a separate button and confirmation LED, it required Ford Dealer to reprogram the GEM.

If you were electrically inclined you could do this yourself without using GEM.
Its just a 12volt motor and contact wheel inside shift motor housing, that you would splice into to set Neutral up.
Pictures of wiring and contact wheel here: How to: Rebuild 4X4 Shift Motor | Ford Explorer and Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations


Other options are, the Shiftster, $60: https://the-shiftster.myshopify.com/.../the-shiftster
This can be used in place of the electric shift motor, so you can manually shift transfer case.
Yes you do have to get under the vehicle to shift it
If you have manual hubs on the front you can leave it in 4high all the time and just lock the front hubs when 4WD is needed, but you would have to get under the vehicle to shift to Neutral and then back when done towing

Or Driveshaft separator, this would be installed on rear drive shaft and uncouples it from differential for flat towing


Or, getting hard to find, get a Manual transfer case, BW1350 or BW1354 will work, the shifters for these seem to be even harder to find than the transfer case, lol.

 

Thanks for your help, as it was very useful and I'm looking it to the shiftster. I'll let you know what I find out, and thanks again.....

 

The Shiftster has a Detent(hole in the plate) for 2wd, 4high and 4low, you pull out on the handle to pull up the pin in the hole, then rotate the handle to align it with your selection, then pin slides down into that hole and this holds it in that selection.

It doesn't have one for Neutral, but it is just a hole in the plate, so you can drill it before installing.
Hole every 90deg, 2wd--90deg--4hi--90deg--neutral--90deg--4low

 

Is there a mark or something to identify where neutral is suppose to be

 

Did you look at the 4th picture here: How to: Rebuild 4X4 Shift Motor | Ford Explorer and Ford Ranger Forums - Serious Explorations

Shift rod is pointed at 2wd(2H), if it was point in opposite direction it would be in Neutral

Shift rod doesn't turn 360deg, it can only turn counter-clockwise from 2WD to 4H, then "neutral" then to 4L, and then it must be turned Clockwise back to 2H

So if you get a Shiftster add that hole to hold transfer case in Neutral for flat towing

And REMEMBER!!!!!!!!
When you shift transfer case to Neutral..............PARK NO LONGER WORKS!!!!
Vehicle WILL start to roll so BLOCK a tire, before shifting to Neutral

If you set parking brake REMEMBER to release it for towing, more than a few people have burnt up rear brakes when towing a vehicle

 

Is anyone else having trouble getting ahold of the shiftster? I ordered one for my 1997 ranger and it hasn't arrived yet. I've tried calling them several times and just get a recording, I've left a message for them to call back or e-mail me with no success, is there someplace else that I can order another one? Thanks for your help Rudy

 

Is this where you ordered from: https://the-shiftster.myshopify.com/.../the-shiftster

 

yes it is

 

yes it is, should I reorder

 

No, but I haven't read of any problems, wait time does vary

I would imagine that with the limited market for these he would want to sell out before reordering.
And maybe wait until he had some pre-orders before paying for the new batch
But just guessing

 

I wonder how I can pre-order so he can set one aside for me. I can't seem to get a hold of him. Thanks for everything your doing for me