Explorer and a towdolly/trailer to tow my Jeep

[Skooter_Built]

Goal: To save up enough this summer to buy a 1500 or 2500 Dodge Ram or Chevy/GMC 4x4 truck, 94 or newer. then i can borrow a trailer from my uncle to hall around my Jeep when need be. Now here is the question for the time being, i was wondering if a 97 Explorer Eddie bauer, with towing package, 4.0 SOHC motor and air ride suspension would even have enough balls to pull my Jeep on a tow dolly or a normal trailer. In my opinion i think this would be pushing the towing limits and safety limits of the setup. What is everyone elses opinions?

[Blackjackbender]

you may be able to get by. I have pulled about 5k (w/ brakes) with an exploder before and felt fine, but that was a newer one with a IRS so It may of been worse then a older one because of the IRS or may of been better because of slightly longer WB.

if theres brakes on the tow dolly I would possibly do it. But I do not have near the amount of towing expierence as many other people on this board so I would take someone elses advice

[Bones]

I flat-towed my old CJ5 with my old 95 eddie bauer exploere with the 4.0 OHV and it was fine. It gets hairy in a snow storm, but I've pulled that from numerous 1-2 hour trips and a couple 7+ hour trips...

you'll be fine

[Roadhouse]

Explorers with the V6 are rated to tow 5000-5500lbs. Mine has 3.73's and is rated for 5500lbs. I would tow my ZJ on a dolly with my Explorer and not think twice about it..........well that is after I get my crappy rear axle fixed.
Actually I would tow my ZJ on a trailer with trailer brakes, and load equalization hitch behind my Explorer if the rear axle was in top condition(I need to get that fixed)

Just dont speed and take it easy. I'm not a huge fan of tow dollys, but they can be used if you are smart about it.

[Bones]

sounds like you need to get your rear axle fixed.

[Roadhouse]

Originally Posted by Bones

sounds like you need to get your rear axle fixed.

tell me about it, $1500 at the Dealer. I haven't talked to KillerB yet. I have an '02 first year of the IRS. The differential they used is a piss of shit. The clutches are wasted in the LSD and it shudders and shakes at every turn. I was told the problem was fixed by '03 models. So I need a new diff and was told no open diff or aftermarket diff will fit this IRS diff.

[Bones]

junk yard????

[cornfed]

Originally Posted by Bones

junk yard????

Junk yard.... maaaaaaan Roadhead don't need no stinkin' junkyard.


Honestly, if you can wait a week or two I'll be ready to sell parts off an '02 Explorer at work. Seriously.

edit: I purchased a driving, non-wrecked Exploder for parts for one of my programs. We're keeping the hood, driver side front and rear doors, the dash, driver's seat, and center console w/ trans shift lever. When I get it back, I gotta sell the parts. It's an '02 XLS SOHC V6 2WD 5spd w/ 72k.

[Roadhouse]

so what would that rear axle be in a 2wd? I don't know much about these new ones since they went to IRS rear....I've been told the 8.8 in the rear of them does not accept older 8.8 parts?

[cornfed]

According to the VIN tag, the axle code is D4. According to HERE the axle is an 8.8 w/ 3.73 LS. It's definately an IRS. I'll have pics up, soon.

[Roadhouse]

Originally Posted by cornfed

According to the VIN tag, the axle code is D4. According to HERE the axle is an 8.8 w/ 3.73 LS. It's definately an IRS. I'll have pics up, soon.

did it shudder and shake before you quit driving it:tonka:

[cornfed]

Not according to the previous owner. This was not our company vehicle. I bought it from a private seller. The seller replaced the Explorer with something more fuel efficient, and didn't off it because of any mechanical issues.

[Calvynandhobbs]

I just sold an 02 Explorer a few months ago because I had heard about the rear differential problems. No problems when I sold it, but you never know what lies in the future for those 02s. On the towing that started this post, I had a 97 Explorer EB All-Wheel Drive with the 5.0 and it towed great.

Roger

[PavementPounder]

Originally Posted by Skooter_Built

Goal: To save up enough this summer to buy a 1500 or 2500 Dodge Ram or Chevy/GMC 4x4 truck, 94 or newer. then i can borrow a trailer from my uncle to hall around my Jeep when need be. Now here is the question for the time being, i was wondering if a 97 Explorer Eddie bauer, with towing package, 4.0 SOHC motor and air ride suspension would even have enough balls to pull my Jeep on a tow dolly or a normal trailer. In my opinion i think this would be pushing the towing limits and safety limits of the setup. What is everyone elses opinions?

I would buy Stan's Ram and not worry about any of this.

[Stan]

Originally Posted by PavementPounder

I would buy Stan's Ram and not worry about any of this.

X2

What price range are you in Skooter?

[Skooter_Built]

Price range im tryin to save up $5500 by September, i already got under $2500 in the bank. Yes i would love to buy Stans truck, but theres no way in hell i could afford it at what I make, and im not getting a loan. Unless Stan wants to do a payment plan

[PavementPounder]

Seller financing.

[Stan]

Originally Posted by PavementPounder

Seller financing.

Ummmm..................................NO.

[Skooter_Built]

i dont like getting loans, i only buy things if i have the money. Ive always done that, and thats how ive payed off my jeep and done everything to it.

[bigblocked]

A buddy of mine towed a 26 or 28 foot boat that was around 6500 lbs and he said he thought it was going to break the exploder in two. Guess I would try it and see. If you would like to give it a test run your more than welcome to try my trailer.