I have a 2001 Jeep cherokee sport with 33" tires, just installed new front and rear brakes. I am looking at purchasing a boat from a friend that weighs around 2900 lbs with the trailer... giving the fact that I have larger tires is this a good idea or bad idea to tow this boat? I have had mixed opinions from mechanic friends some say no problem some say they wouldn't but none of them are cherokee jeep people so I need advice from people that have experience with towing with jeep cherokees. I will be adding a trans cooler regardless. thanks for the advice.

 

Did you regear or leave them stock? How heavy is the boat trailer? I'm not sure about yours but my '91 is rated to tow 5,000 lbs. I tow real close to (and sometimes over that). I just keep a check on my fluid and change it to keep it clean. I have an extra tranny cooler and just plan on running it until it dies and I'm running 31's by the way. Also, I've been towing logs on a trailer 3-4 times a week for over a year now and it's still running strong.

 

Definitely add a transmission cooler at the least.

For short distances you'll probably be ok but you need to be sure to run it in 3rd. Do not run it in drive.

The long grades that we tend to have in the Greenville area is usually pretty punishing on the transmission while towing something.

Ultimately, you really need to regear the axles before you go towing the boat a lot.

I towed a ~2500 pound boat with my Jeep on 33's (Stock gears) for a while. Now, I don't have second gear in that transmission.

Either way, it'll pull great. Keeping the transmission from overheating should be your main concern.

 

Any braking concerns?

I'm less than happy with my brakes on 33s without pulling.

 

the combined weight of the boat and trailer is 2900 lbs not sure of the weight of just the trailer. Will be adding a trans cooler for sure and possibly may go ahead and rebuild the tranny it shifts fine and smooth but I can get a good deal on a rebuild so I may do that. Im looking at towing maybe twice a month to the lake on the weekend in the summer. lake hartwell which is about 45 mins down 85 from me. But I just want to be on the safe side I know it will pull it but just concerned for the mechanics of the vehicle. Thanks for the input on that.

 

not since I installed new brakes. seems to do just fine I had a car pull out in front of me and I slammed on brakes and it stopped very well to my surprise. I am actually looking at the ford 8.8 upgrade with disc brakes so that would be a big help. Im running a cryco 8.25 now w/ 3.55 gears.

 

Unless you can get a 8.8 already made for an XJ I don't know if that'd be worth it.

You can easily swap discs onto a 8.25, and an 8.25 can handle 35s.

 

Late models had WAY better brakes than early models.

My 99 has spectacular brakes.

 

I pretty regularly tow a 3000 lb trailer up and down mountain passes with mine. 30" tall tires, added a transmission cooler. The transmission would get a little warm (no insulation between my leg and tunnel). Cooled down quite a bit after I ditched the roof rack. 3.55 gears by the way. Used to do it in my manual f150 with 32's without a problem too.

 

85 has a few good sized grades on it but not until you get up above Greenville.

From Greenville to Anderson is pretty dang flat.

 

you have my attention then. the main reason for the upgrade was for the disc brakes. I know the 8.25 is a good strong axle. Do you have a thread for DIY on doing a disc brake swap? Will certainly look into that.

All in all Im thinking with a disc brake upgrade and a trans cooler that a few trips to the lake in the summer shouldnt be to much of a hassle for the ole' jeep.

 

Durango's (and even Dakota's) had 8.25's and disk brakes was an option...

 

One of many threads on disc brake swaps: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/d35-c8-25-swap-w-sye-zj-disc-brake-conversion-126719/

Any other vehicle with the C8.25 and discs will be a direct swap too, like the KJ Liberty.

Definitely add a transmission cooler. Don't **** around with rebuilding the transmission, it is a waste of time and absolutely not necessary.

Take this guy seriously. You need to regear.

 

10-4 on that. 3.73 or 4.10s?

 

Here's the disc brake swap:


https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/re...-8-25-a-57807/