No, I won't being doing that since they clearly state that you can't tow a TJ on a front wheel dolly or damage will occur and far too many rigs are running around with front hub kits show that to be erroneous information.
That is clearly logical.
What is not clearly logical is your statement to leave it in third to maintain lubrication which is bizarre since nothing is turning, so it doesn't need lube.
Better would be to state to leave in gear to take the lack of lubrication out of the equation.
I have the same question, putting aside the "don't raise front wheels", which is 100% exactly the same as installing locking hub." This looks to be proof Chyrsler puts out warnings that aren't needed.
If we did just listen to the Owner's Manual, nowhere in the manual does it say anything about lubricating the transmission. Too many posts are stating this in the same breath as what is actually stated, and providing confusion that let's nonsense get spouted.
Seems from reading, for a manual, put it in gear. There's no reason for any gear to be picked, just personal preference on an "IF" the Transfer case suddenly gets slammed into gear, while being pulled, while in motion. Not sure this is really that good no matter what gear, but ok I get the "just in case" I guess.
I cannot see any logical reason that the Trans needs to be lubricated, if it's not moving, which it shouldn't by any logic, be moving. Seems to me, that it's just a valid a guess that someone somewhere, thought "if it's in gear, the dam thing won't rattle around, for WHATEVER reason." If it doesn't rattle around, then it doesn't need lubrication....ipso facto these posts about lubrication.
Either way, the owner's manual doesn't address it, at least mine doesn't for the 2005. Just says put it in gear (and P for Auto). If people are dreaming up the why, which is a valid question, so stuff doesn't rattle around is as good an answer as any from what I can see.
START EXACT QUOTE FROM OWNER'S MANUAL:
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for
recreational towing.
CAUTION!
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that
the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before
recreational towing to prevent damage to internal
parts.
1. Depress brake pedal.
2. Shift automatic transmission into N (Neutral) or de-
press clutch pedal on manual transmission.
3. Shift transfer case lever into N (Neutral).
4. Start engine.
232 STARTING AND OPERATING
5. Shift automatic transmission into D (Drive) or manual
transmission into gear.
6. Release brake pedal and ensure that there is no vehicle
movement.
7. Shut the engine off and place the ignition key into the
unlocked OFF position.
8. Shift automatic transmission into P (Park).
9. Apply parking brake.
10. Attach vehicle to the tow vehicle with tow bar.
11. Release parking brake.
CAUTION!
Damage to the transmission may occur if the trans-
mission is shifted into P (Park) with the transfer case
in N (Neutral) and the engine running. With the
transfer case in N (Neutral) ensure that the engine is
off prior to shifting the transmission into P (Park)
(refer to steps
7 – 8 above).
