Another towing question

jeffrayy · 08-24-2009, 08:25 PM

Ok, I have come across a great deal on a fishing boat. It is a '15 fiberglass boat. I am guessing that the the weight of boat and trailer is about 2k pounds +. I have a '98 ZJ with the 4.0 liter. I am also going to be putting a 2 inch BB on when the parts come. The question is will the boat and the lift (I have 30 inch. tires) put too much strain on my tranny?

**the88thpianoman** · 08-24-2009, 08:34 PM

Not at all. I'd recommend adding an aux trans cooler, but the 4.0 and properly cooled 42RE can pull 2k pounds literally all the time and be just fine. My 4.0 and 42RE pulls up to 5k pounds on a fairly regular basis. I also have a 2.5" BB and will tow just as much when I eventually move up to a 4.5" lift.

jeffrayy · 08-25-2009, 09:46 AM

Great!!!! Now I have another question or maybe two. Should I get a regular, or heavy duty cooler? How difficult (or expensive if someone else does it) to put a cooler on?

1997ddzj · 08-25-2009, 09:51 AM

2k aint nothing. The big factor of towing with a ZJ is the brakes. But youll barely notice that load is even back there.

tsconver · 08-25-2009, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffrayy

Great!!!! Now I have another question or maybe two. Should I get a regular, or heavy duty cooler? How difficult (or expensive if someone else does it) to put a cooler on?

try to match the cooler to the GVW you will be at. Overcooling can also have ill effects such as putting the tranny in limp mode and preventing overdirve use when you are not towing.

SnowLeopard · 08-25-2009, 10:16 AM

Also, you might have the tow-prep package. Or do you have the full tow package from the factory? If it's the latter, you'll already have the 3.73 gearing and a tranny cooler along with the hitch and wiring. Check the hitch and see if it says Mopar. That can sometimes be misleading if a two package was installed later on by the dealer. So you'll probably want to check the build sheet to be sure. I thought I needed an aux cooler, and then I looked closer. I already had one. I had all the tow prep stuff but no wiring or hitch. I would definitely have your brakes checked out though. I know the ZJ's breaks are not the greatest.

jeffrayy · 08-25-2009, 10:36 AM

I am fairly certain that I don't have the tow-prep package. I add the hitch a few weeks ago and I still had the little bracket for shipping that was attached where the hitch should go.

What kind of upgrade to the breaks would be recomended? Are we talking new calipers and everything, or just upgraded rotors?

SnowLeopard · 08-25-2009, 10:49 AM

As far as I know, the stock brakes should be fine for towing as long as you aren't hauling anything overly heavy. I just know that mine aren't as great as they should be, still ironing that out. If you really want to get some good brakes though, PM Kolak. He'll set you up with some awesome rotors and pads. I've been considering it since I've had such annoying issues with my brakes.