increase towing capacity?
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Junior User
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increase towing capacity?
O.K. I have a 1996 explorer with a 4.0L 4wd manual transmission and I want to increase my towing capacity. How do I go about doing this without hurting the tranny or engine? Please give me some ideas. Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Fort Smith
increase towing capacity?
Since you have a manual, a shift kit would not be very feasible on the tranny. I am not the world's best on tranny's, but from what I have heard from others, there is not much that can be done to the tranny ith the 4.0's. Maybe a tranny cooler, oil cooler, and some performance gains?!?! A Diablo chip would help - give you a little better response throughout the rpm range. I would guess you have a 3.73 gear with the 4x4, but if not, that could help. Basically you pull something two ways - with power, or with gears.
How much are you trying to gain? What would you be pulling and how far?
How much are you trying to gain? What would you be pulling and how far?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,742
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From: UT
increase towing capacity?
Getting the load to move is only half the battle. The other half is getting it to stop. I've heard of some people who have trouble with rotors warping just trying to stop the truck by itself.
Towing capacity is determined by several things (strength of drivetrain, suspension, and brakes, and probably others). I suppose the real question is, what is the limiting factor on your explorer?
Towing capacity is determined by several things (strength of drivetrain, suspension, and brakes, and probably others). I suppose the real question is, what is the limiting factor on your explorer?
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Fort Smith
increase towing capacity?
Good point about the brakes mrshorty. If you can wire electric trailer brakes and use them, it makes towing so much nicer than being pushed down the road by a trailer that outways you.. 
Another thing I just thought of is making sure to get a Class III hitch. Trying to tow heavy weight off the bumper can result in a lot of damage if something goes wrong or you ahve to slam on brakes.
Another thing I just thought of is making sure to get a Class III hitch. Trying to tow heavy weight off the bumper can result in a lot of damage if something goes wrong or you ahve to slam on brakes.
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Junior User
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increase towing capacity?
Well I do have 3.73 gears in the rear so it does help and ford told me that my total gross combined weight ratio is 7,000 pounds. now I whent and weighed my boat and vehicle and it came out to be 6,720 pounds so I am right there. So I am concerned about hurting the tranny and also the breaking if I get into a bad situation. I do have a class three hitvh so I am good to go there. So what can I do. Thanks for the replies.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Illinois
increase towing capacity?
An Aux tranny and oil cooler would help out quit a bit. Install a Aux tranny filter. Get a set of adjustable "helper" leafs for the rear. If you haven't already, switch over to synthetic fluids. Install a K/N drop in or cone filter. Look into a chip, shift kit and larger MAF. Lastly, get some good slotted rotors and metallic or semi metallic brake pads.
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increase towing capacity?
I do have one more question. I keap hearing about this tranny cooler but as far as I know there is no tranny cooler for a vehicle that is a manual tranny. all the tranny is is a gearbox. So could you guys inform me if there is something that I don't know. Thanks
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