Raising my XJ's towing capacity
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 209
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From: Curacao, Willemstad
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L inline 6
Hey guys, how are you all.
It's been about 3 years owning my XJ and I am loving her.
Sadly though because she can't tow much and uses alot of gas, we are thinking
of selling her.
I've started looking for other jeeps and SUV's for sale that I can use to tow and
still have fun with but I know that it will never feel the same.
What we really need is a car that's as wide and long as my 98' XJ, uses less gas but still tows more.
My Jeep right now can tow about 3500 lbs, I know this because that's around
the same weight as our boat and you can hear at the engine noise that we
are pushing her limit.
What we're looking for is a jeep that can tow atleast 5000 lbs. preferably more
I then thought, instead of selling her, why not increase her towing capacity.
Me not knowing much about cars or rigs (sadly) am limited to what I know.
This is why I'm asking...
What do I have to know and do ?
Are their books that can help ?
My first thought was to put in a v8
Which engines would be recommended ?
Are their any diesel engine (Cummins, Powerstroke, Duramax) that'll fit ?
PS are their any Jeeps, suv's around the same size as an XJ that can tow more ?
It's been about 3 years owning my XJ and I am loving her.
Sadly though because she can't tow much and uses alot of gas, we are thinking
of selling her.
I've started looking for other jeeps and SUV's for sale that I can use to tow and
still have fun with but I know that it will never feel the same.
What we really need is a car that's as wide and long as my 98' XJ, uses less gas but still tows more.
My Jeep right now can tow about 3500 lbs, I know this because that's around
the same weight as our boat and you can hear at the engine noise that we
are pushing her limit.
What we're looking for is a jeep that can tow atleast 5000 lbs. preferably more
I then thought, instead of selling her, why not increase her towing capacity.
Me not knowing much about cars or rigs (sadly) am limited to what I know.
This is why I'm asking...
What do I have to know and do ?
Are their books that can help ?
My first thought was to put in a v8
Which engines would be recommended ?
Are their any diesel engine (Cummins, Powerstroke, Duramax) that'll fit ?
PS are their any Jeeps, suv's around the same size as an XJ that can tow more ?
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 126
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From: Denver, CO
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Curacao, Willemstad
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L inline 6
Member
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: Denver, CO
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L I6
btw, what kind of capacity do you need? Just a little more for your boat, or is there something bigger you need?
My dad's 2000 Tundra was a great hauler, and not too big, but not as small as the XJ
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 209
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From: Curacao, Willemstad
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L inline 6
That's kind of my point. If you want more towing, it's hard to find something small, but maybe something will pop up. Good luck!
btw, what kind of capacity do you need? Just a little more for your boat, or is there something bigger you need?
My dad's 2000 Tundra was a great hauler, and not too big, but not as small as the XJ
btw, what kind of capacity do you need? Just a little more for your boat, or is there something bigger you need?
My dad's 2000 Tundra was a great hauler, and not too big, but not as small as the XJ
outboards and repowering boats makes me worry that soon we'll have to tow
heavier boats.
5K lbs makes me feel safer and the XJ's lengths really makes it alot easier for us to park boats in our yard.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 209
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From: Curacao, Willemstad
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L inline 6
Trending Topics
As far as fuel economy:
16 mpg * 20 gallons = 320 miles traveled
18 mpg * 20 gallons = 360 miles traveled
40 miles traveled is not enough of a difference to really matter.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 209
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From: Curacao, Willemstad
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L inline 6
I think you should probably sit down & figure out what you want the vehicle to do. Why does it have to be a diesel F-150? pick-ups are specifically designed to haul/tow.
As far as fuel economy:
16 mpg * 20 gallons = 320 miles traveled
18 mpg * 20 gallons = 360 miles traveled
40 miles traveled is not enough of a difference to really matter.
As far as fuel economy:
16 mpg * 20 gallons = 320 miles traveled
18 mpg * 20 gallons = 360 miles traveled
40 miles traveled is not enough of a difference to really matter.
I was looking at f-150's but they also turned out to be too big.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 209
Likes: 0
From: Curacao, Willemstad
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L inline 6
Cherokee length:13'11.5" width:5'9.4"
Ford F-150 XL Standard cab length:17'2.9" width"6'7.3"
ETA:
As was mentioned how about a Grand Cherokee w/5.7
Last edited by Turbo X_J; Sep 25, 2013 at 09:59 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 43
Likes: 7
From: Eastern Wa
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O.
My suggestion would be to get a good towing vehicle such as a diesel pickup that could tow any boat you could come across and then pick up a used 5k forklift for moving boats and trailers around your lot.



