Did you see this?

Bill(Wis) · Mar 18, 2021

This was the interior of a Jeep engine that was in a Jeep that was inadvertently towed quite some distance in first gear, low range. This is only a guess, but I can imagine someone maneuvering the Jeep up behind the towing vehicle going as slow as possible while someone else hitched the two together and then just turned the engine off, leaving it in gear, and away they went. It was estimated that the engine could have reached 50,000 RPM. Did about $30,000 worth of damage. That would be close to the price (after discounting) of a new base Wrangler. I would just keep this one for parts and buy a new one. I know, it was stupid, but stupid things happen. ???

37 chief · Mar 19, 2021

I was told of someone who hooked a Model A Ford behind a motorhome, and left it in gear. Off they went. By the time it was noticed the motor was ruined It got so hot the motor was smoking. Stan

4play · Mar 19, 2021

I've seen several fails like this through the years on RV or flat towed vehicles. Leave t-case in Neutral, put manual trans in gear, or auto in park for 4x4 vehicles. I'm surprised the t-case didn't explode too, but I doubt it's ok.

That's a Rubicon with a 6spd manual. Low range (4.0:1) 1st gear (5.13:1), axle (4.10:1) total or crawl ratio of 84.2:1. At highway speeds the engine was turning around 15,000 RPM give or take. Nowhere near 50,000 RPM but still way too much.

4play · Mar 19, 2021

Edit: Sorry, I forgot to multiply the low range ratio (4:1) into the equation. So, 15,000 rpm x 4 = 60,000 wow!!!. I wonder what gear they left the trans in.

It's still possible it wasn't in low range, even if it wasn't. The trans being in a low gear would probably resulted in similar carnage.

used red MN · Mar 19, 2021

Must be looking at the back two cylinders. I came to the conclusion by the fact that the main bearing you still see in place is not discolored. So the very rear main bearing an the back throw and the flywheel end of the crank must have disintegrated and been thrown out of the engine. At which point everything in front of that stopped turning. When that section of oil pan broke out the oil would have been lost out of the engine. At which point I am sure any bearing left in the engine would have been discolored due to lack of lubrication. So that is why I assume everything ahead of the cylinders missing their pistons must have stopped. Interesting carnage, thanks for posting!

fastfarmall · Mar 19, 2021

That had small main brg support bolts, not that it mattered in this case!!

Sprint 6 · Mar 19, 2021

The owners of our local Mexican restaurant paid to have their grandfather's CJ 7 transported from Mexico City area after he died, to the border, then transferred to a shipper. After the Jeep arrived here, they found out it had been flat towed to the border, in gear! My friend's shop put a new engine in it. The 258 they took out looked a lot like that, the block wasn't even stable it had so many holes.

MarkB_MI · Mar 19, 2021

It surprised me that the wheels would even turn in low range.

DR. EVIL · Mar 19, 2021

I wonder what they were towing the Jeep with? With a crawl ratio that high I'm surprised the tires
didn't just skid along the pavement.
After a lifetime of trying to pull start balky diesel and gasoline engines I've seen plenty of
trucks/tractors skid tires as opposed to spin the engine. A certain 4010 diesel I call The MONEY PIT
comes quickly to mind.

John T · Mar 19, 2021

As a frequent RV traveler I have seen and heard so many horror stories where transmissions or tires or worse was damaged by improper towing !!!!!!!! Maybe look at the OWNERS MANUAL and other sources like perhaps the Remco Tow Guide or Trailer Life Magazines (went out of business however). I have flat towed 4 down auto tranny 4WD trucks and auto tranny cars (lots of Saturns and Hondas and many tow Jeeps) and NEVER had a problem but the vehicles were equipped for such.

DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND RESEARCH

John T 49 year RV owner
Towing Fails

SVcummins · Mar 19, 2021

Is that one with parts expensive parts but nobody ever knew what? Sounds like a pi$$ poor operator to me

Determined · Mar 19, 2021

Does not take a long distance to create carnage, I saw a little 4 cyl front wheel drive car that had been pulled across town behind a tow truck from the rear while still in gear.
An oil pump does not do any good when is is turning backwards.

lugnuts2030 · Mar 19, 2021

Would it qualify for a return Core? lol

Super H Mike · Mar 19, 2021

My Exwife once drove our Durango from Colorado to Minnesota in 4x4 low, I have no idea how it survived, expected it to look more like that picture.

Bill(Wis) · Mar 19, 2021

If anyone is still reading this post, yes, there was more than just engine damage reported. The bell housing, the transmission, the transfer case, etc. All toast. That's where the $30,000 repair bill came in. And yes, they said it was in low gear, low range. I'm still guessing that someone, maybe a family member or a blond girlfriend

>)) drove it as slowly as possible up to the tow vehicle. If in low range that would have included 4wd, and when positioned correctly someone else who was guiding the driver hooked it up. Then the driver, job over, simply turned the engine off and away they went. That's my guess. Being in 4wd probably made turning the drive line a little easier than 2wd would have. Greater efficiency. (;>))

DoubleO7 · Mar 19, 2021

So was it being towed by a TRACTOR??

Did you see this?

Bill(Wis)

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37 chief

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4play

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4play

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used red MN

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fastfarmall

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Sprint 6

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MarkB_MI

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DR. EVIL

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John T

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SVcummins

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Determined

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lugnuts2030

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Super H Mike

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Bill(Wis)

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DoubleO7

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