I'm looking at buying my father-in-laws 96 Cherokee. The interior is rough, but the mechanical is solid. This will be used primarily to pull my Pop-up camper (2500 pounds loaded) and do general errands around the house. Here's the basics:

2wd
4.0 HO
Auto

I'd like to lift approx 3 inches and run 31 X 10.50s. And I'd definitely like to stiffen the rear suspension. These Cherokees sag bad with any kind of load on the rear end.

My main concern is the towing capability.

Thanks for your time and opinions.

 

Im pretty sure that that 2wd will do just fine pulling that pop-up.

 

Get air shocks for the back. They will help with the tongue weight for sure. I pull a 3,000 pound GVWR (I've pushed that on more than one occasion) 6'x12' enclosed trailer behind my XJ (1,200 miles each way) and it does great other than the fuel economy which runs 11 to 12 MPG.

 

Depending on asking price, keep in mind that a 4x4 isn't gonna run you much more if any. Don't feel obligated to buy it just because its family. I usually try NOT to buy from family or sell to family. Because if something goes wrong it can cause, um, tension. That being said, a 2wd Cherokee should tow that just fine.

 

Thanks for the quick replies.

I know what you mean JeepDaveTJ. I've never bought or sold any vehicles with family before. But I'm considering it.

One last question. What about the lift and 31s? I believe that if the lift is done correctly, it won't affect towing performance. But what about the larger tires?

 

you would probably have to check the weight capacity of the tires but other than with the lift there should not be no problems but yes the air shocks do help a bunch

 

does that 96 already have the towing package on it? if not, you might want to put a tranny cooler on

 

If you want to run 31's and still tow with it, I'd suggest regearing that rear end to 3.73 to make back the power you lose going to bigger tires. And depending on which rear end it is, maybe even an axle upgrade.

 

Good point Donnie. I'll definitely check the gear ratio.

Didn't all of these Cherokees come with a D35 in the rear end?

 

some came with D44 with tow package.. easy to tell apart...D44 looks kinda like a diamond in the ruff if you tilt your head 90% a d35 looks like a watermellon.. not round kinda oblong...

 

Or the Chrystler 8.25, which looks like a Dana Turdy Five with a flat ledge on the bottom of it. And it's a much stronger axle.