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Question Jeep mileage adds while towing?

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Cars are not like the bikes we rode as kids with the speedo connected to the front tire. On the older mechanical ones the speedo gear is in the transmission. Since the driveline is in neutral it will not register miles. Probably on the 2003, its ecm driven. Does not matter if its a digital or mechanical speedo, it will not register miles. I detest liars, you dodged a bullet
 
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.... you dodged a bullet
'dodged a bullet'. Thanks to this forum/thread. I had not contacted the seller yet as I wanted to validate my concerns. Glad my instincts were correct, that is, the instinct to come to an experienced pool of people for advice.

Thanks again.
 
Cars are not like the bikes we rode as kids with the speedo connected to the front tire. On the older mechanical ones the speedo gear is in the transmission. Since the driveline is in neutral it will not register miles. Probably on the 2003, its ecm driven. Does not matter if its a digital or mechanical speedo, it will not register miles. I detest liars, you dodged a bullet
Hopefully your comment is not directed toward me! But if it were I will double down on my response! I realize that some might expect my real name were Jack, but it's not. My days of repairing cars without manuals are behind me, but the memory still serves pretty well! I do find somethings said offensive, but in the act of helping, I will egnor some.

However as trivial as this thread is, as the PO was able to resolve the question at hand you implied something I will not leave alone!

Least you do "your" research you should hold your tongue!!!


As far as where on older jeeps the speedometer gear is this PDF may answer any speculation!
 
I will say that in the digital gauges, but with steering wheel locks you had to turn the key at least to Acc position to unlock the steering wheel. If they did not disconnect the battery it “may” record mileage. if the battery was disconnected and the wiring to the to the Jeep tail lights from the motorhome did not contain diodes power could be feed back to the Jeeps system and power the ECM. I know because I just did it a few weeks ago wiring up my Jeep.

Now personally I would not believe it. Plus if it says 200+k miles on it, well that’s what it is. When you go title it you would have to record that mileage and value would drop.
 
Hopefully your comment is not directed toward me! But if it were I will double down on my response! I realize that some might expect my real name were Jack, but it's not. My days of repairing cars without manuals are behind me, but the memory still serves pretty well! I do find somethings said offensive, but in the act of helping, I will egnor some.

However as trivial as this thread is, as the PO was able to resolve the question at hand you implied something I will not leave alone!

Least you do "your" research you should hold your tongue!!!


As far as where on older jeeps the speedometer gear is this PDF may answer any speculation!
I have no idea what you are talking about. Grow up. Transfer case or transmission, it does not matter for this conversation. The transfer case is in neutral in the jeep when it towing, lest, you forgot you can destroy the motor and, if lucky, add 5 miles onto the speedo before doing it. I have not forgot the things that you never knew. I was trying to help the op. I have changed out a number of those gears on different vehicles trying to get the ratio correct for larger tires. Grow some skin
 
Barely taking our first baby step. Can't afford to take this path twice so trying to get it right first time. My first question... Looking at an add for a nice looking Jeep. I read this:
"2003 Jeep Wrangler ·
5 speed Manual Transmission
203K miles - Driven about 80K, pulled behind a Winnebago for remaining miles.
Front & Rear Tow Receivers
Convertible Top (Excellent Condition)".
Does the mileage actually accrue on odometer while towing, and if so I imagine there is no real way to validate a claim of 'towed' vs 'driven' miles. Thanks in advance. I'm gonna have a lot of questions.
I have towed nothing but jeeps CJ, TJ and a JK none have ever added milage when being towed. My JK I tow with the key off since the steering wheel does not lock.
 
Barely taking our first baby step. Can't afford to take this path twice so trying to get it right first time. My first question... Looking at an add for a nice looking Jeep. I read this:
"2003 Jeep Wrangler ·
5 speed Manual Transmission
203K miles - Driven about 80K, pulled behind a Winnebago for remaining miles.
Front & Rear Tow Receivers
Convertible Top (Excellent Condition)".
Does the mileage actually accrue on odometer while towing, and if so I imagine there is no real way to validate a claim of 'towed' vs 'driven' miles. Thanks in advance. I'm gonna have a lot of questions.
A little more information, it may possible to record milage if the key was in the ON position. If I remember correctly the speedo gear is on the tail housing of the transfer-case, so the rear driveshaft could turn this gear with the transfer-case in neutral. Just a thought the TJ does have an electronic odometer.
 
A little more information, it may possible to record milage if the key was in the ON position. If I remember correctly the speedo gear is on the tail housing of the transfer-case, so the rear driveshaft could turn this gear with the transfer-case in neutral. Just a thought the TJ does have an electronic odometer.
Thank you. I was considering speaking with the seller primarily because of 'claimed' low mileage and that the Jeep appears already configured to tow. I had read somewhere something related to what you have described but can't remember what brand/make/models it applied to. I may reach out to seller and see if they have s legitimate explanation. I certainly appreciate everyone's friendly input and knowledge. My next question here, after I decide which Jeep I want, will be how to get it configured. Hopefully that won't raise too much ruckus 🥴😬🤣. I have seen other places that many folks can be very passionate in their opinions regarding which Jeeps are preferable to others. I'm just looking for something that will get the wife and I a few miles in and out of camp, wherever we go. No grand designs of driving hundreds of miles at a time with it. I understand that towing does put 'some' wear on mechanicals.
 
I looked for a 1999 - 2006 (coil springs and straight 6) manual trans, 6 cylinder hard top with actual low milage and no modifications, suspension or otherwise. Color was last on the list although I had my preferences. Found a 2001 that fit the criteria with just under 75k which was good enough. You’ll find plenty of info here on different configurations for towing and manufacturers for equipment.
 
All about new vs old! If the odometer is digital, it may not have power, therefore not log towed miles, but that is speculation. If odometer is analog, the speedo gets its data from the main output tail shaft. What that means is if the rear wheels on the jeep turn, miles are recorded. Another reason to trailer! Remember that everything is wearing, not just the drive train!!!
I doesn't matter if the Jeep is old or new, Digital or analog. I have had all. The output shaft does not turn. The transfer case is always shifted into neutral.....unless you an idiot and forget. On the older Jeeps, one had to turn the ignition key one notch to unlock the steering but it did not engage any power.. In our 2018, there is no steering lock. No need to leave a key in the ignition thus, again, not power. Towing or trailering is a matter of choice. Do trailer tires, wheel bearings and brakes not wear? And then there is the BS about what to do with the trailer once you reach your destination. The big difference is convenience and that is why the majority of toads are Jeeps and that they are flat towed. Further, the industry average distance traveled per year by motor homes is about 5000 Miles and not all of those miles are towing miles. Given the durability of Jeeps, I suggest the additional wear is insignificant.

Darrell
 

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