With a 1985 S10 4x4 Blazer that has an automatic transmission installed, do I need to use a Flatbed truck if I am only going to tow it 5 miles? What is the proper way to tow this vehicle to avoid damage to the drivetrain?
If your 85 (like my 84) has manual transfer case, put floor lever in Neutral. This disconnects both front and rear driveshafts, and then you are OK to tow with rear wheels on ground. ( or even all wheels on ground if just pulling it with another vehicle)
If it has the manual T-Case then shift it into neutral and it can be towed without a flatbed. If it has the electronic shift then tow it on a flatbed (personally I like to use a flatbed all the time, less chance of other damage to the vehicle.)
You already received two good answers. If you have any doubt about the vehicle's ability to put both drive shafts into neutral, you will want to put the vehicle on a flatbed to haul it. You can test the neutral gear position by shifting the 2high/4high/4low lever into the neutral position, and then puty the drive shift into "Drive" or "Reverse" and you should be able to hear the freely- spinning gears under the floorboard, while the vehicle does not move.
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