Tow vehicle Qx4

[HOSERSMURF]

New to forum, looking for information from those that know. I want to buy a Qx4 to use as a towed behind our motor-home. From my experience in the past with a Pathfinder some changes must be made. What I am thinking is installing manual lock out hubs so that I can disengage the front axle. I think I should be able to put front end up on a tow dolly and tow the unit with 2 wheels down with the manual transfer case in neutral and the automatic trans in park or neutral. Could someone chime in with expert opinion. From my previous sorry experience the Japanese transfer cases disengage the input into the transfer case as opposed to the North American disengaging the output, and hence the front and rear drive shafts. I'm thinking both drive shafts will still turn but with the manual hubs unlocked I should have no problem- am I right--please and thank you.

[Mike W.]

Disclaimer, I am not an expert on this, don't know the answer, but just thinking out loud.

But I see where you're going and it makes sense that putting the transfer case in neutral would work, although why install manual hubs since it would be up on the tow dolly anyway. And as you may have noticed, manual hubs don't seem to be listed for QX4's. I read an explanation one time that made sense though I forget all of it, but it related to being able to shift into 4WD on the fly and in doing so you could really damage things. For that reason I have not installed them on my Q, even though I'd sure like to pick up the 1 or 2 MPG they're supposed to add.

A thought on testing it would be to park on a hill somewhere, put the transfer case in neutral, then put the truck in park. Since park works off the transmission, it should roll if the transmission is fully disengaged.

[HOSERSMURF]

The reason for the manual locking hubs is, the Japanese transfer cases do not disengage the front and rear drive shaft when the transfer case is put into neutral- they stay locked together. I know this from a previous sorry attempt to tow a 2000 Pathfinder on a tow dolly. We ended up making 2 black marks from the rear tires across a parking lot as the front tires were tied down securely and the rears were locked to the front via the transfer case. I was able to tow an Xterra with manual as the owners manual explains- put the transfer case in 2WD and the transmission into neutral. This site infact details how to replace the locked front hub on Pathfinder/Qx4 and Warn and several other manufacturers list manual locking hubs for the Pathfinder/Qx4. The Qx4 is a Pathfinder with more lipstick.

[Mike W.]

Yes, I am familiar with QX4 and Pathfinder being mostly the same. And yes, Pathfinder hubs will fit (I'm pretty sure) but I have not seen a listing for locking hubs for the QX4, at least the later one like I have and I suspect you are looking at, I believe for the reason I mentioned above.

As far as the transfer case locking the front and rear driveshafts in neutral, but not in 2WD, it seems odd and unlikely, but I'll take your word on it, I really don't know.

This thread may be of interest to you. manual-locking-hubs-and-allmode-4wd-03-le-t616571.html

[Hawairish]

You absolutely should not flat tow any QX4 or Pathfinder. You not supposed to even tow them with the rear tires on the ground. Every year owner’s manual states so.

And to clarify other items:
QX4’s don’t have part-time (manual) transfer cases; All-mode only.
Manual hubs will fit all models. Generally not recommended for the All-Mode trucks for a variety of concerns not being addressed here.

[HOSERSMURF]

The Pathie and Xterra, if standard trans, can be towed 2 down with transfer case in 2wd and trans in neutral. What I'm hoping and looking for is to do the same with an automatic trans by installing the front locking hubs. As to what Nissan states in their manuals, all these vehicles have long passed their Best Before Date, so I intend to modify it as required to do what I need/want it to do. In the RV world a very poor second choice is a rear driveshaft disconnect. I don't think I'll need that as I'm hoping the manual locking hubs will provide the needed disengagement. Another option is to have the rear axle machined and manual locking hubs installed there, though I know it has been done on other brands, don't know about Nissan, but assume adaption by machining can't be an impossibility. I like these older trucks, for some reason the people who have owned them have for the most part kept the maintenance up on them. Looking at Jeep Liberty as an example- they mostly have been owned by people/families with limited resources and maintenance has been a low priority. Now with the pandemic I hope to find a reasonable deal as close to my small town as possible.

[Hawairish]

Manual hubs on the vehicle is fine. No concerns there, towing wise. It's the rear axle spinning up the transmission that's the problem.

Converting the rear axle to full float plus manual hubs is extreme. I'd expect the cost of any such work would exceed the value of the vehicle, whether it'd be customizing the H233B axle, or outright replacing it with a Toyota rear axle where full-floater kits exist for it. The latter is the approach I'd go, money being no object, but that's one helluva downward spiral on the wallet. It'd be cheaper to just buy a car hauler, despite having to tow more weight.

The driveshaft disconnect is interesting...I just learned that existed the other week. I don't care for the engagement assembly hanging off the pinion snout the way I've seen it installed. I'm sure it all works fine, but it just looks janky to me. For what seems to be about a $1K job between driveshaft modification and installation, it doesn't seem all that terrible of an option, all things considered.

If you're really keen on towing a 4wd Nissan SUV that's similar to the QX4, I think you have your 1st answer: buy a manual transmission Pathfinder or Xterra. There weren't MT QX4s...all are AT+All-Mode, and particularly for the All-Mode, Nissan expressly says to not tow it with any wheels on the ground (Nissan didn't account for manual hubs of course because they weren't factory items). Availability (or practical odds of finding) those vehicles with MTs varies by years and generations. And if none of those will do, I think you have your 2nd answer: Jeep.

[Mike W.]

What about locking hubs on the front (unlocked while towing) and towing it backwards with the rear wheels off the ground? Might be laws against it but I've never heard of them.

A real 3 pedal truck with a manual transmission would simplify things, but #1 I don't think Q's even came that way and #2 nice R50 platforms trucks are very hard to find, a nice one with a manual would be a true needle in a haystack. If they weren't, that's what I'd have.

[VStar650CL]

What about locking hubs on the front (unlocked while towing) and towing it backwards with the rear wheels off the ground? Might be laws against it but I've never heard of them.

Not illegal but it's a bit of a pain. You need to tie up the steering wheel tight, preferably dead straight.

[Mike W.]

What about locking hubs on the front (unlocked while towing) and towing it backwards with the rear wheels off the ground? Might be laws against it but I've never heard of them.

Not illegal but it's a bit of a pain. You need to tie up the steering wheel tight, preferably dead straight.

I was thinking the steering wheel lock might take care of it and lock in a straight ahead position.