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Apparently towing with a Cherokee is miserable...
In my ongoing quest for a good tow vehicle, I've always skipped these as memory has GRM telling me to stay away. Is my memory correct? I'm interested in both ZJs and WJs.
I'm beginning to feel like CarKid...
My folks have a WJ and WK. From what I've seen I'd steer clear.
Jensenman will tell you to run.
I love our ZJ, but towing is a big fail.
Balls!
ignorant wrote:Jensenman will tell you to run.
Yes he will. The early stuff (through '97) will be pretty well worn out and the 98-up V8 is a problem child. 4.0 engines are tough as nails but the trannies are a bit suspect. No, it's not the same as the Aisin (also called the Toyota) tranny in the little Cherokee.
Was it me, I'd look for a Sequoia, a later Expedition or a Tahoe.
I picked up a zj to haul my rally car seems to driver nice and tows not bad for the money, 5.2 hasn't decent hp and returns ok gas mileage. I plan to off road my a little to
what do you plan to tow? I have a scirocco and a 18 ft open dual wheel trailer
racerboy000 wrote:what do you plan to tow? I have a scirocco and a 18 ft open dual wheel trailer
Well the AF pays ~$1 a pound plus mileage if you move yourself when you PCS. So uhh... trying to get a "free" truck here...
Also, looking for an excuse to buy something I can move current (motorcycle) and future (who knows) toys around with. And with my upcoming PCS to Omaha, I'mma going to need something to smash around the snow drifts in. If Cherokees weren't apparently USELESS at towing...
Sorry to sidetrack, but what's PCS?
I have been around and towed with two different 5.2 98ish Grand Cherokees. Both have been reliable overall. Gas mileage is around 18 on the highway little less when towing.
One has over 250k on the original motor. The trans went out around 200k and I know it has at least 50k of those miles towing a heavy 18ft trailer. Towing included running that trailer with a 62 Continental loaded with all my friends stuff. Towed it like a champ just make sure you are running trailer brakes.
Permanent Change of Station.
stay far far away. the turn of the century models are plauged with electrical issues (do you like to loose all electrical power randomly?. The 4.7 is an ok motor, but not a powerhouse for towing a lot.
I'd look for a V8 explorer, exped, or tahoe.
Wait, I just found your tow vehicle (assuming you're still around San Antonio like your profile says) for not much money!
http://austin.craigslist.org/cto/1601068854.html
1993 Roadmaster Estage (wagon) with 90k miles for $2500.
03+ V8 4Runner....and I'm saying that as a former Cherokee owner...
Osterkraut wrote:I'm beginning to feel like CarKid...
Ain't it grand? haha
irish44j wrote:03+ V8 4Runner....and I'm saying that as a former Cherokee owner...
An excellent option, but overbudget, I'm afraid.
older V6 4Runner then. Tow capacity should be around 5000lbs. You should be able to find a late-90s one within your PCS budget :)
Early 4 runner=slooooooow
I've had positive experiences with mine, but not a lot of towing. We've towed a 3,000lb ski boat around with no problems, but nothing larger.
Our 1993 4.0 has about 250k on it now, the tranny failed at 240k or so. Everything electrical on it still works.
Our 2002 Overland 4.7 has about 150k on it now. It's had issues with the A/C heater vents from the get go. The motor is very strong and has plenty of power for non-towing duties. Gets about 18-20mpg at 75mph.
Wrong Jeep. What you want is a Woody. Grand Wagoneer
I've towed quite a bit with my 1993 Grand Cherokee. Going is fine but it's not going to stop as well or handle a trailer as well as say a full size Ford. The front brakes on mine are the same as a Cherokee and I think the rear drums are bigger. Personally I would look for a '97 or '98 for the better interior, better brakes, and better electronics.
If you're looking for something that can tow, be driven easily as a DD, and go off road it's not a bad choice. Mine has 210k on the original engine and transmission. Even the alternator is original!
How about a diesel F250? I think they sent about half of them to Texas.
I towed an empty heavy car hauler (~2000 lbs) from Ontario through the rocky mountains to New Mexico and then back with ~3000 lb Starion on top using a 1996 Grand Cherokee 5.2L Quadratrac that had 300 000 km on it at the time. The only problem I had on the way was the OE fan clutch failing and then some issues to to my bodged repair of said part (long story.) It towed perfectly well though, even at 75 mph through the mountains in Colorado.
Dead constant 14L/100km both ways, full trailer or empty trailer didn't matter. Tough truck.
Wife had one. A used 2002 model with the 6. Not a big fan, not a big fan at all. Too many problems, felt like it was a ticking time bomb, had to replace too much crap, including the crap engine even though I think the 6 has a good reputation. Now on the other hand, my dad had one in the late 90's with the 5.9 liter V8 and that thing was a lot of fun, maybe because it was new?
