plinkerneil

OK, new to the forum, not exactly new to the XJ. I've been lurking here for info on intake upgrades, mostly.

I've had the same 2-door '94 since I ordered it new from the factory in '94. It gave me some trouble early on, but everything got rebuilt under the 7/70 warranty, and I've maintained it religiously, replacing any peripheral parts as they wore out--pump, thermostat, radiator, exhaust header, and most recently the starter. Replaced the rear seals, master cylinder, blah, blah blah.

Ask me why the engine block has 69,990 fewer miles than the chassis does.

Anyway, it runs great now, better than stock, and great mileage, too. I'm not an off-roader (except for farm roads and camping trips), I just love things that are simple and work well. Dropping $1K into the Cherokee every couple of years has been lots cheaper than buying a new truck. Besides, at this point I'm just used to the darn thing, don't know quite what I'd do with a different vehicle.

So my question is why the towing capacity on the XJ is rated as 2000 lbs. for pre-'97, and 5000 lbs for '97 - '01? I'd like to tow my in-laws' 3500lbs sailboat but don't want to blow anything up now, after all these years.

I've used the search function on the forums, and I know people tow up to 5000 pounds with the earlier XJs, but I'd like to know why Jeep only rates them for 2000 lbs. If it's the crappy old synchros that were weak, no problem--they've been replaced.

Anybody know something?

Abovetimberline

It has to do with the receiver and hitch you have,yours must be rated for 2,000lbs mine is class 3 which is good for 5,000.

plinkerneil

This isn't a hitch rating. I've got a Class 3, 2" receiver. It's the maximum towing capacity as rated by Jeep. Check the specs at Edmunds:

http://www.edmunds.com/used/1994/jee...314/specs.html

Abovetimberline

What I see is a generic posting that does not include the tow package ratings. I have not towed something that weighed 5,000 with mine,but I guess it could for short distance.

thefirebuilds

the max cargo rating of your vehicle is very important. it relates to your suspension, both front and rear, total tongue weight on your frame, brake capacity, engine hp and wheel base. The engine hp is typically the least affected...I'd be pretty damn nervous putting 150% the weight rating on my vehicle. I don't even like to pull close to 90%.

On my van I'm pulling about 800 lbs over my max cap and she is REALLY topped out. That's a quarter ton truck with 12,500 max capacity!

plinkerneil

Yes, exactly. That's why I'm asking. As far as I can tell, there were no major changes to the XJ between '96 and '97, but the '96 is rated to tow 2K lbs regardless of tow package, and the '97 is rated to tow 5000 lbs with the correct tow package. Why the change? Major differences in the suspension?

Or was this just the manufacturer jerking us around, so they don't have warranty liability?

plinkerneil

OK, I'm a jerk.

Just went outside and actually checked my user's manual, and it'll tow 5000 lbs. Shoulda RTFM.

Actually, when I bought the thing, Chrysler would only rate the manual transmission for 2000 lbs without a transmission cooler. (On a manual? Huh?) But I guess that was just Chrysler-speak for "we're not going to fix your tranny if you break it towing something big".

Anyway, show's over. Move along, nothing to see here, folks.

4x4Jeep

i towed my boat, weighing about 4000lbs (including trailer) from Orlando to Key West, only stopping for gas and food. (and of course back, within a week) used up a lot of gas, but otherwise it towed fine, was cruising at 65mph most of the way. that was on a stock 93 xj w/ 4.0l straight-6

Abovetimberline

I am sure it can be done and safely,I have a truck also and use it if need be. I have towed cars behind my jeep on dollys,I guess they were about 3,000lbs,but it was on level ground and no inclines.

thefirebuilds

That sounds a lot more fun than most of towing experiences

to the OP, when in doubt, consult that door jam sticker. Always a good indicator. Transmission coolers are a cheapish investment too if you think this is the weak point. With my automatics I always tow with overdrive locked out.

plinkerneil

That's the stupid part--it's a manual transmission. I suspect the 2000lbs rating was just because of the then-new 7/70 drivetrain warranty, and the synchros during those model years were weak. Most all of them would get stuck trying to get into 2nd gear during winter, when I lived up north. The later ones, starting in '97 I believe, were much more stout.

But, like I said, stupid POS synchros got replaced with the newer ones when I had the tranny rebuilt on Chrysler's dime.

My user's manual says it'll tow 5000lbs with the transmission cooler, and I think I can handle a clutch well enough to not stress the transmission at all. So as far as I'm concerned, I'm good to go for short distances.

For longer distances, given the overall age of the vehicle, I think I'd do a couple mods to it. The hydraulic-clutch fan really drags on the system (I think it might be about ready to fail), so I'd like to replace it with an electric fan, a 180* thermostat, and maybe a bored-out throttle body, to get better throttle response when starting. I just bought a 99+ intake today, and Chrysler paid for the newer exhaust header version (with the flex pipe), so that'd probably do it. With all that, the engine should run up to higher horsepower smooth and cool.

(Edit to say: OK, sounds like the 180* thermostat is a bad idea. The computer wants to see the engine at 195* before it will go into closed-loop mode. I'll have to research the temp control a bit more.)

troy fritz

In my factory owners manuel it says with class 3 hitch and 4.0 auto with trans cooler you can tow up to 5,000 pounds . Thats for a 96 XJ.2,000 lbs with a class 1 hitch and 3,500 lbs with a class 2 hitch. Not to exceed 9,060 lbs GCWR. for 4x4 and 8,781 lbs for 2 wheel drive. 300 lbs tongue for c 1 , and 750 lbs tongue for class 3 . Does not say for class 2 . That should clear up everything.