I installed a remote oil filter with thermostat since I tow hard and have to go thru the mountains every time. (think WOT repeatedly for 5 to 8 min at at a time) Come to find out that the oil gets wayyyyy hotter than the engine water temp. I then installed a heat exchanger inline with my oil filter that uses the radiator fluid to warm up/cool down my oil quicker (takes about 10 min to warm up water and 30 min for oil to reach same temp normaly) and keeps it within a couple degrees of my water temperature. Water temp is about the same cause the cooled oil also cools the rest of the engine.
On long hills, it used to take a long time for the oil to cool back down. now it won't rise nearly as much and cools as soon as I reach the top of the hill

For those curious about why I didn't use an oil cooler, its because the oil HAS to reach temperature high enough to evaporate the water into it accumulated thru condensation. (my aircraft mechanic job pays off here too) besides, the radiator can cool down so many BTUs. This way the cooling "load" of the rad is spread between the water and the oil.
I also like when in warms up quicker, especially in the winter.
Oil pressure also reflect the temperature. It never gets really low on idle when hot anymore.

For Auto transmission, I would definitely add tranny cooler. for Manual, the oil/water heat exchanger is more than enough to keep things living a long time.

 

so new guy here, and glad yet sad I found this forum and did a search.

I have wanted a Cherokee 6cyl for a long time, Ive gone to many forums and found out years and things to avoid.
I found one that is in my budget ( retired low income). Its a 98 sport with an automatic, 137k, and a aftermarket tow package. 3rd owner, bone stock. Looking at the pics, it does not have the dana rear end. And what brake upgrades is above poster talking about. Im not sure I can afford right now, so many changes, the coolers would be #1
I have not bought it yet, and now may not.

I found this thread, towing with a Cherokee. darn.
As I have a 20 foot tow behind camp trailer, that I could pull with my Tacoma v6. I wanted to get rid of the Tacoma, 230k with a salvage title, and get this Cherokee

I have the skill to do the work to upgrade to a different rear axle, and p/s, trans coolers are not a big deal to install. Electric tarus fan sounds like a smart move
I live in the northwest, and towing is not gonna be a common thing, a few times in the summer, and maybe long freeway drive down to so.cal to visit and live with my son for a few months

so.....basically...Im reading these Cherokees wont handle it. Is that true ???

 

20' camper? I would definitely recommend against that. XJs simply aren't large enough to do that safely. They can get it going fine, but stopping and handling at speed over like 20 MPH is going to be a problem.

 

sadly, I thought just looking at them , it wont work out. yet my Tacoma could handle it
my friend suggested an old wagoner,, he said they were basically 3/4 ton trucks
just really like Cherokees

I imagine grand Cherokees are not any different

 

Nope, they are a little heavier but still narrow and short wheel-base. Like the XJ they are rated to tow 5,000lbs (both I6 and V8) but that is pushing things.

Of course if you want a Cherokee to tow with there is always the SJ Cherokee (pre-84), Those are a 2-door Wagoneer. That is if you can find one in decent shape that doesn't cost a fortune. I've always wanted an SJ Cherokee or Grand Wagoneer but every one I see around here is either a rust bucket or they want $15k+ for it, and I can't see paying that much for a 25+ year old vehicle.

 

WJ V8 is a different story. power, brakes, and stability

Max trailer weight = 6,500 lb
Max trailer length = 30 feet
Maximum gross combined weight rating = 11,000 lb

In comparison a Dodge Dakota with the same 4.7L V8 is only rated to

Max trailer weight = 6,100 lb
Maximum gross combined weight rating = 10,500

I do all my towing with my Grand Cherokee.

 

ZJs, however, are basically the same as an XJ.

 

I think why the xj's aren't rated so high is not because of drivetrain or suspension, but because they don't weigh anything for an SUV.

1992 S10 Blazer is 4400
1988 Cherokee is 3375

Heavy is good for towing. Helps keep that trailer in line.

 

The old redneck rules to towing is the whatever is pulling should out weight the trailer,And whatever is pulling should have more wheels on it too.I have towed more then i should have with a pickup before,Its not bad on city roads at lower speeds.But on the interstate can be a white knuckle ride when the trailer starts to drive you.

 

If that was a rule to go by semi's wouldn't haul nearly as much as they do. I think a cherokee would be fine up to 4k lbs. the biggest problem is the short wheelbase imo

 

They don't. Ive tried. Trailer damn near pushed me threw a stop light on damp ground. Any XJ cant handle the extended driving at highway speeds.

 

So has anyone installed a trailer brake controller, I tow my single axle Hybrid camper with my Cherokee without a trailer brake controller however I'll be installing one soon. The camper already has trailer breaks why not use them. jmo

 

Someone posted on here about using a Crown Victoria electric fan, that

is a two speed.

 

The reason is actually right there in the name: "semi". They're "semi-trailers", not like you and I are towing, in some areas just called articulated trucks. The fifth wheel places the load ahead of the rearmost axle, which makes a tremendous difference in load capacity and handling. Not to mention properly configured brakes. They're completely different animals.

 

Do note that the 5000LB tow capacity that is being thrown out here is NOT on a jeep with a standard hitch. It's for XJ's that have a weight distributing hitch.

Tow capacity without a weight distributing hitch is as the OP stated. 2000LBS.