Towing with a grand
04-01-2013, 08:41 PM
#1
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Towing with a grand
Just traded my 96 xj for a 96 zj. Wondering how good they are for towing. I am debating towing a 3000lb car with it cross country on a dolly. I need to do a lot more research but I was just wondering what you guys thought.
04-02-2013, 12:09 AM
#4
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Ahwatukee, Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 960
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
make sure the dolly has electric brakes and youll be fine. the V8 is rated to tow 6500 pounds. leave yourself more room to stop and try not to make any sudden moves. and turn overdrive off so you dont burn up the trans. when taking off from stop lights, i found it helps to start in 1st gear and shift it up manually. just dont expect good gas mileage 
04-02-2013, 08:34 AM
#5
Junior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Northern Indiana
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6 Stroker
I tow pretty regularly with my 5.9 ZJ. A tranny cooler is the only thing I've added. They have plenty of power, thats not the issue, the biggest problem is the shorter wheelbase. Just use common sense and it'll be a great tow rig.
04-02-2013, 11:54 AM
#6
CF Veteran
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Alaska
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
thanks for the input guys. ya, definitely not expecting good gas mileage but should i add a tranny cooler to it? guess it would only help...
04-02-2013, 11:55 AM
#7
Senior Member
If your ZJ has factory tow package, then make sure the tow dolly has electric brakes as stated. The brake wire should be in the driver's side kick panel taped off. My own experience towing a 1990 XJ 4 door on a dolly. No brakes made stopping interesting, leave lots of room. That was an unplanned event, and I towed it about 250 miles. The I6 did just fine, but brakes on the ZJ are barely good enough for the ZJ alone. Just don't be in a rush.
Trending Topics
04-02-2013, 06:07 PM
#8
Old fart with a wrench
If your ZJ has a factory tow package, you should have an aux trans cooler already. If the hitch was added later, you'll definately need a trans cooler. Ditto on the electric brakes. If your ZJ isn't equiped with electric brakes, you can install an after-market unit with a separate control lever designed for travel trailers and boats. That way you can save the ZJ's brakes a lot. Also, when towing at night, turn on the towed vehicle's parking lights.
If you add a separate trans cooler, make sure you include the radiator's trans cooler as well. This will warm the tranny on cold days.
If you add a separate trans cooler, make sure you include the radiator's trans cooler as well. This will warm the tranny on cold days.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
xjallseasons
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
12
05-22-2016 12:47 AM
Bruce Hauptman
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
3
09-05-2015 09:31 PM
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)