Hi everyone, I have 98 4dr sport I6 w/265xxx on it bought wrecked and brought it back to life. I want to tow a small camper. Currently though my trans shifts into 4 at 45 MPH and 5th near 50. Last time out she wouldn't shift to 5th cause I couldn't get to 50. She started blowing oil from the rear main I believe, my wife said " ooh look there's smoke" so I shut her down and limped back home at 35MPH. When not pulling she runs fine w/ a bit of cat chatter at idle. Guessing the engine is too weak and the trans is not shifting as necessary. My question is, Is the I6 too small to pull a 3620 lb trailer or too old and wore out? I'm looking for feedback to either rebuild or go with a larger engine/trans configuration. I'd hate to rebuild get it all back together and still not be able to pull it. So what do you guys think?

 

You can try this simple free fix first. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/free-quick-fix-41821/ and if it doesn't help go from there...Tj

 

A aw4, the auto tranny you have, is also a 4 speed, not a 5.

 

Ahh Yes thanks for adding that...Tj

 

Thanks for the tip. It did help the shift some, it'll be something to dial-in and tinker with.

 

DOH!? my bad. Freudian slip

 

the 4.0 can tow, yours might just be a little wore out and tired with that many miles, ive towed a k5 blazer with mine on the highway, you can tell its back there for sure but the xj can do it, id recommend a heavy duty tranny cooler and a nice fluid change and filter too

 

So what I'm hearing is, yes the 4.0 can pull 3620 but just. That tells me I may need to consider a stroker or V8. Am I getting what's been said?

 

You really don't need to spend all that money on a Stroker (unless you have $$$ to burn) and a V8 will require lots of MOD's and $$. I pulled a F250 one mile down the beach after he blew his trans and had no problem whatsoever. Maybe some small mods like boring the Throttle Body, CAI and a header. That will give you some extra HP...Tj

 

Now according to ford150.net/specs/05sd_specs.pdf
curb weight F250 standard cab 4x2 is 5648 lbs. WOW that really gives me some hope for my tired engine. I'll look into those mods and maybe things will work out thanks

 

and i guess i should mention i pulled my buddies suburban up my street in the snow, and my street is really steep, we used to call it san fran when we were younger, and bomb it with skateboards haha, hopefully that helps you, and yeah to give you an idea of mods, ive got a flowmaster cat back with a cat delete (better off with a high flow cat to keep it legal) cold air intake, neon injectors, and a jet tuner, not much more than bolt on stuff and i know im making really good power, a stroker isnt needed

 

towing capacity is 5000lbs on the xj.