Towing Questions
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Senior User
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 324
Likes: 0
From: TX
Towing Questions
I'm new here so hello to everyone!! Well here it goes. I have a 1997 4dr 2wd explorer with a 4 liter sohc with a 3.55 rear end. I want to pull a 23' travel trailer. I pretty much know I need a tranny cooler and equalizer hitch to start. How much would I benifit from a power module and a k&n type air induction kit? Would a oil cooler help as well? Any help with a certain type or brand will be useful. Or any other mods that I could try to increase hp and torque. This is my wifes daily driver and I would like to keep it as reliable as possible but still tow my camper 5-8 times a year. Do they even make a power module for a explorer? If so do they make one that can be switched between economy and towing? Thanks again...
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 380
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Towing Questions
Any or all of those options you listed will help with the towing, life of tranny and overall life of the X. The first things I would get would be... class three or IV hitch of course...
1. tranny cooler (www.sumittracing.com) bigger the better.
2. add-a-leafs/helper springs (www.jcwhitney.com)
3. K/N drop in or cone filter (most shops sell them)
4. switch over to synthetic oil (Mobil 1, Amasoil... etc.)
5. Aux oil filter/cooler (www.summitracing.com)
6. Weight distributing hitch
7. B&M shift kit (www.summitracing.com
8. Chip (www.explorerexpress.com)
There are not a lot of power aids for the SOHC out there. It is pretty beefy from the start and with good maintenance (yearly tranny fluid change), it should serve you well for 5-8 trips a year. I towed my 16' trailer and Bronco II (6,000lbs combined) with my '99 XLT 4x4 SOHC for a year and never had any problems. The hills will slow you down of course, but you will be surprised at the power.
1. tranny cooler (www.sumittracing.com) bigger the better.
2. add-a-leafs/helper springs (www.jcwhitney.com)
3. K/N drop in or cone filter (most shops sell them)
4. switch over to synthetic oil (Mobil 1, Amasoil... etc.)
5. Aux oil filter/cooler (www.summitracing.com)
6. Weight distributing hitch
7. B&M shift kit (www.summitracing.com
8. Chip (www.explorerexpress.com)
There are not a lot of power aids for the SOHC out there. It is pretty beefy from the start and with good maintenance (yearly tranny fluid change), it should serve you well for 5-8 trips a year. I towed my 16' trailer and Bronco II (6,000lbs combined) with my '99 XLT 4x4 SOHC for a year and never had any problems. The hills will slow you down of course, but you will be surprised at the power.
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,532
Likes: 5
From: Trussville, Alabama
Towing Questions
Hey Stealth,
if you haven't already done so, I suggest you ask more questions in the "Towing" forum.
IMHO, a 23 ft travel trailer is gonna be a bit much for an Explorer.
You might wind up having the tail wagging the dog.
Not to sound like a know-it-all, but I'd do a bit more investigating before hitting the road. There are some pretty knowledgable folks in the "Towing" forum. Give it a look.
Oh, by the way, Welcome to FTE. I hope you enjoy it here as much as I do.
Thanks.
if you haven't already done so, I suggest you ask more questions in the "Towing" forum.
IMHO, a 23 ft travel trailer is gonna be a bit much for an Explorer.
You might wind up having the tail wagging the dog.
Not to sound like a know-it-all, but I'd do a bit more investigating before hitting the road. There are some pretty knowledgable folks in the "Towing" forum. Give it a look.
Oh, by the way, Welcome to FTE. I hope you enjoy it here as much as I do.
Thanks.
