Yet another towing question....

[lil_loco]

Been reading on previous threads about towing but not getting the info I seek and have no intentions to hijack.

 

I have an 87 longbox MJ with 4.5" lift 32" tires 4.0l engine aw4 trans d30/44 combo with 3:55 gearing. The 44 is newer from a 2000 with chromo shafts and oversized brakes albeit still drum it also has a low km positrac. I upgraded the brake booster to a new unit designed for the zj/wj.

 

I am buying a 2008 palamino banshee pup toy hauler equipped wit ebrake and load distribute on bars. Gvwr approx 3800lb.

 

I do plan to put my 86 DT200 on the deck possibly a TM 450cc dirt bike too.... not much else really.

 

Will she handle it? Recommendations to improve hauling (do not suggest another truck).

 

Thanks :)

[lil_loco]

P.s. I hate autocorrect

[mikekaz1]

the 4.0 and aw4 along with the auxiliary tranny cooler and d44 was rated for 5000lbs from the factory. matched with trailer brakes I see no issue with towing other then maybe being a tad slow from 3.55 gears

[gogmorgo]

Factory tow package is a d44/aw4 combo, rated at 5000lbs.

 

You could more than likely get away with putting two dirtbikes in the bed...

[johnj92131]

You seem to have most of the bases covered.  Especially in the brakes department.  What you seem lack is the heavy duty cooling for the engine and the trans.  So watch your temp gauge.  The only thing I would be concerned with is the rear springs - you don't mention what, if anything, you have done over the stock rear leaf springs.  But your equalizing hitch will help you out here, so not too worried about that.

 

Also, I "assume" your hitch is a proper factory type Drawtite hitch.  Give it a try with some relatively short trips and see how it goes.  I would be surprised if your trailer is loaded to 3200 lbs.  It will slow you down, but should be OK.

[lil_loco]

The rear springs were a full kit for the 4.5" lift from rough country.

 

It's getting a new rear hitch bumper but I'm looking for a decent priced class 4 2" receiver.

[64 Cheyenne]

The rear springs were a full kit for the 4.5" lift from rough country.

 

It's getting a new rear hitch bumper but I'm looking for a decent priced class 4 2" receiver.

 

Hope you ain't planning on towing 3300 lbs with this^^^

[lil_loco]

No not planning to tow with the bumper but may use it to aid hookup

[Eagle]

Lift springs are made for lift and (usually) for flex, NOT for load capacity. You might need helper springs or air shocks for towing.

 

With 32" tires, your effective axle ratio is cut back from 3.55 to 3.21. That's not much different from the stock ratio for a 5-speed. To tow that kind of weight, you need more gear. 4.10s would be about ideal. And you should add a tranny cooler and, if you don't already have one, an auxiliary fan.

[lil_loco]

It does have a trans cooler but I'll look into additional capaciity options. Suggestions for such as well as aux fans welcome....and does anyone carry a rear hitch for these anymore?

[benjy_26]

The trans auxilary trans cooler off of ZJ's is a pretty beefy unit. I'd look into grabbing one from a boneyard.

[lil_loco]

Something like this work?

 

 

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B000HEADH4/ref=mp_s_a_1_9?qid=1462479974&sr=8-9&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=transmission+cooler

[Megadan]

if you want to do it on a budget you can always hit up the junkyard.  Ford E250 and 350 Vans came with big stacked plate style oil coolers.  I picked up a couple the last time I was at the pick and pull for $11 a pop in good shape.  I just filled them with B12 (or seafoam or mineral spirits) and rinsed them out really good.

[krustyballer16]

I build hitches for the mjs...

Check out my ad in the vendor classifieds...

[lil_loco]

But I bet shipping to me would be insane.... :(

[gogmorgo]

It actually was surprisingly not bad when I had my hitch shipped back in December to the Great White North. I think it came in around US$270 after shipping, although the exchange rate was pretty awful at the time (and it still is) and I think it worked out to around CAD$380... But I would need to check the numbers.

[lil_loco]

What about this???

http://www.jcwhitney.com/draw-tite-receiver-hitch/p3051912.jcwx?filterid=d1169y1987g2j1 

 

Draw-tite denies any hitch for the comanche but JCWhitney says this works.... did I miss reading something?

Truck is almost done and waiting for a hitch 

 

 

[87MJTIM]

That JC Whitney is a FRONT BUMPER hitch, not a rear bumper.

 

I purchased from Krusty and I'm happy with it (but I'm "south of the boarder").

[lil_loco]

I build hitches for the mjs...

Check out my ad in the vendor classifieds...

 

 

Sent you a message!

 

if you want to do it on a budget you can always hit up the junkyard.  Ford E250 and 350 Vans came with big stacked plate style oil coolers.  I picked up a couple the last time I was at the pick and pull for $11 a pop in good shape.  I just filled them with B12 (or seafoam or mineral spirits) and rinsed them out really good.

 

I have a bad run o luck with used rads and such.... but thanks for the suggestion :)

[64 Cheyenne]

 

I build hitches for the mjs...

Check out my ad in the vendor classifieds...

 

 

Sent you a message!

 

if you want to do it on a budget you can always hit up the junkyard.  Ford E250 and 350 Vans came with big stacked plate style oil coolers.  I picked up a couple the last time I was at the pick and pull for $11 a pop in good shape.  I just filled them with B12 (or seafoam or mineral spirits) and rinsed them out really good.

 

I have a bad run o luck with used rads and such.... but thanks for the suggestion :)

 

 

I might be skeptical of a used JY radiator, but I would definitely consider using one of those types (JY) coolers for the trans or pw str.

[lil_loco]

Lift springs are made for lift and (usually) for flex, NOT for load capacity. You might need helper springs or air shocks for towing.

 

With 32" tires, your effective axle ratio is cut back from 3.55 to 3.21. That's not much different from the stock ratio for a 5-speed. To tow that kind of weight, you need more gear. 4.10s would be about ideal. And you should add a tranny cooler and, if you don't already have one, an auxiliary fan.

 

The truck has timbrens installed and the trailer will have a weight distribution setup so hopefully that will help. 

[DirtyComanche]

I'd install a rear anti-sway also.  You can set it up with disconnects for when you don't need/want it.  They make a huge difference, having towed with similar trucks with and without them.

[johnj92131]

I have towed close to 3000 lbs with my truck from sea level over the local mountains (4200 ft max) to the Imperial Valley (below sea level) and back home to San Diego. 

 

My truck has the stock 3.55, stock size tires, AW4 transmission, Drawtite hitch and full MetricTon/Big Ton factory package.

 

The mountains do require downshifting and they slow the truck down.  Other than that - it works.  Just not fast.  And I watch my speed on the down hill runs.  Try to keep to 60 or less.  Speed limit with a trailer is 55 mph or 90Kph for you Canadians.

 

Air shocks or air bags may be something you want to try.  I say, give your current set up a test drive and be prepared to make some changes (mostly) in how YOU drive.

 

Lastly, Just buy your hitch from Krusty - his workmanship is Top Notch.

[krustyballer16]

I pull an 18' steel car hauler with my mj. Usually has my side by side and 2 quads on it (roughly 2200 lbs) and I just hauled a Ford Focus up some hills and hollers.

I'm running 235s with stock geared Dana 35 with an ax15 and a 4.5" Rusty's lift.

 

I don't have the 4.0L. I have a 3.3L cummins (85 hp/215 ft/lb) but still pulls about the same.

I installed trailer brake controller and upgraded master cylinder.

 

No problems pulling, just downshift. And stopping is fine, again, downshift.

 

And I run one of my hitches, obviously.

 

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

[Eagle]

 

Lift springs are made for lift and (usually) for flex, NOT for load capacity. You might need helper springs or air shocks for towing.

 

With 32" tires, your effective axle ratio is cut back from 3.55 to 3.21. That's not much different from the stock ratio for a 5-speed. To tow that kind of weight, you need more gear. 4.10s would be about ideal. And you should add a tranny cooler and, if you don't already have one, an auxiliary fan.

 

The truck has timbrens installed and the trailer will have a weight distribution setup so hopefully that will help. 

 

 

These?

 

That should help.