Towing with a lifted Grand Cherokee

[cLAYH]

So I'm thinking about trying to simplify things and ditch the truck/trailer/RV combo as well as my heavily modified ZJ and go back to a ZJ(or maybe a WJ) on 33s and tow a RV trailer behind it(3000-4000#).

Obviously it will be a V8 and be regeared appropriately but I wonder how well a lifted Grand will tow? My sister has a '93 V8 ZJ with a 3" front to rear lift and we tried towing a 2000# tent trailer with it and it was awful. I'm thinking something more highway friendly that could pull long distances.

Is a lifted WJ any better for towing than a ZJ?

How is the 4.7 for towing compared to a 5.2 or 5.9?

[85IrocZ-28]

I hate towing with the 4.7. It works, and it gets the job done, but it isn't nearly as tow friendly as a old push rod motor (5.2 or 5.9). The newer over head Cam motors don't have the same low end torque. Every time I tow, I wish I had the ZJ still.

[robinsonfam1]

i am lifted 3.5" with the 5.2 and tug around a large pop up camper quite often. i really have 0 problems. Keep the OD off and go. IIRC it weighs about 3500# loaded.
one thing i do suggest is using a simple sway bar attached to frame of camper and then tow ball on jeep. made a HUGE difference with the short wheelbase of the ZJ. Before i could only go about 55 while white knuckled. now as fast as i want really. i tested it to about 90 with no issues. note that was a test only. i drive the limit no matter what with a trailer.

[tcar]

Lifted are not as safe as normal. Higher center of gravity, more suseptible in crosswinds, etc.

WJ is worse towing, has a spaghetti sway bar on the back.

[cLAYH]

Thats what I've been hearing, the 4.7 is quicker than the 5.2 but doesn't seem to have the same "grunt" as the 5.2 did. Also WAY more options and cheaper to up the power on a magnum motor than a 4.7.

Been considering putting leaf springs on the back of a ZJ to get good towing characteristics out of it. Kinda miss the leafs I had in the back of my XJ. They were a custom pack that I made that flexed very well and still had decent weight carrying ability. Also felt more "stable" then the coils on the back of my ZJ.

[country_boy454]

Towed my brothers boat, about 4000lb(Volvo 6 cylinder inboard motor), behind my ZJ before it was lifted and after it was lifted. I will say it towed better lifted then it did stock. Thinking it has to do with the Up Country springs I'm using over the non UC springs.

[90lsturbo]

i towed a 93 eclipse on a tow dolly with mine and it has the 4.0 i6 lifted 4" and it did suprisingly well im sure the 5.2 lifted would better seeing you have more low end power then my high mileage straight 6 will ever see lol

[95_V8_ZJ]

i tow my 660R Raptor, and 400EX on my custom trailer. my trailer, eh, i think at the scale house it was just shy of 1800#. so fig around 3K# (give or take) and i can safely avoid a deer in the rain, going around 80 and still have control over the rig. for this small of a load i can tow with the od on, i just turn it off when going up hills, my trans temp gauge reports back before the hill around 160* after the hill in D (3rd with torque converter lockup) aroun a shade under 200*.

if you tow another vehicle on the trailer (i.e. all 4 wheels on a trailer) compress the suspension a lil bit with a ratchet strap in the front and rear. that way, while the axles are also tied down, when u make a sudden turn, to avoid an acciedent, your suspension on the veh being towed doesnt shift the weight of the trailer back and forth and throw your tiny lil ZJ around causeing catastrophic and/or deadly results.

BTW my ZJ is lifted 2" on 32 X 11.50 - 15 BFG Mud Terrains, and this coupled with 4 wheel disc brake, leather, Infinity sound system, i love going to the MX tracks. room for 2 of my buddies, and their gear. COMFY

[Johnny_C]

Originally Posted by cLAYH

So I'm thinking about trying to simplify things and ditch the truck/trailer/RV combo as well as my heavily modified ZJ and go back to a ZJ(or maybe a WJ) on 33s and tow a RV trailer behind it(3000-4000#).

Is a lifted WJ any better for towing than a ZJ?

How is the 4.7 for towing compared to a 5.2 or 5.9?

i throw this idea around all the time to Clay; ditching the YJ and and doin a 6.5" on a WJ and 33s