Towing capacity.....
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 504
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From: Gilbert, AZ
Towing capacity.....
Hey all,
Whats the towing capacity of a 1997, 1998, and 1999 Explorer with both the V-6 and V-8 engines? I want to be able to comfortably tow a raced out 5.0 stang.
Thanks,
Dan
Whats the towing capacity of a 1997, 1998, and 1999 Explorer with both the V-6 and V-8 engines? I want to be able to comfortably tow a raced out 5.0 stang.
Thanks,
Dan
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 39
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From: Florida
with a V6 you should be able to tow a small stang(especially if its a fox body(had one of these muhaha)) my friends dad has a 98 sport with a 6banger an tows a huge boat.....just make sure you turn over-drive off otherwise your tranny will drop faster then you can blink.
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Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Gilbert, AZ
Ok, so i guess i'll look for a V-8 Explorer in the 97-99 range, and possibly some 3.73 gears. Whats the stock rearend? 3.27 or 3.55?
Thanks,
Dan
Thanks,
Dan
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
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I would not even get a v-8 explorer if you want to tow a car, you will get lots of sway, and when you get passed by cars they will almost blow you off the road. If your looking to tow a car you should get a f-150 with the v-8 or a 250 with any of the engine options would do it, but only if its a mustang heavyer will require a diesel, and keep in mind you need a trailer brake controller for anytrailer that tows more than 4,000 lbs, and i would not tow that in any model of an explorer, they have a narrow wheel base and while towing the truck wont have any *****, there not built for towing, you will reduce engine and tranny life greatly. WIll the explorer tow it YES, will it have power probally not, but if your going to buy something to tow, go with an f-150 or 250, make sure if you get a 150 get it with the v-8, If it were me i would go with the 250 with with a diesel engine, gives you lots of options in the future for towing more weight
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Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
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From: Florida
golfboy are you ok. he said a raced out mustang which is around 2000lbs.mine broke at 2200lbs after all my stuff was done.first off the car stock would not even wiegh over or close to 4000 or more.so his trailer should be of good size an nothing like you said. just go to a trailer place tell them your towing a whatever year stang an they will show you what you need.my neighbor has a 6 maro dragged out an tows it on a trailer big enough to hold the car with WOOD planks. an a explorer with a V8 you wouldnt be all over the road.one thing you weigh almost 6000lbs.mine is 5600lbs with the 4.0L V6.so his tires will be planted to the ground
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 131
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From: Austin, Texas, U.S.
Explorers weigh about 4,100 lbs. wet without the driver. They aren't as heavy as people think. Also, the wheelbase on a 2-door X is somewhat short, so the trailer will sway a bit, but the 4-door Explorer will tow just fine.
I see no reason why the 4.0 SOHC couldn't tow a small Mustang. It has 250 lbs/ft of torque, and mine will get up and go very well. Mine is a very strong motor, but you may want to watch the transmission. The 5-speed auto (5R55E) isn't the strongest bugger in the world. I have never had a problem with mine, but I only have 113K miles. Get a cooler.
A V-8 4-door Explorer with 3.73s or 4.10s will haul that Mustang around without any problems, and eliminate the transmission "scare". Trailer brakes aren't needed much at all with a small Mustang and the 4-wheel disc of the Explorer, but get them anyway to be on the safe side. Don't get an F-150 or F-250; that is overkill. A diesel...
that's ridiculous for something that small.
I see no reason why the 4.0 SOHC couldn't tow a small Mustang. It has 250 lbs/ft of torque, and mine will get up and go very well. Mine is a very strong motor, but you may want to watch the transmission. The 5-speed auto (5R55E) isn't the strongest bugger in the world. I have never had a problem with mine, but I only have 113K miles. Get a cooler.
A V-8 4-door Explorer with 3.73s or 4.10s will haul that Mustang around without any problems, and eliminate the transmission "scare". Trailer brakes aren't needed much at all with a small Mustang and the 4-wheel disc of the Explorer, but get them anyway to be on the safe side. Don't get an F-150 or F-250; that is overkill. A diesel...
that's ridiculous for something that small.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Austin, Texas, U.S.
Originally posted by golfboy17
Cm snipe, go ahead and tow a car with your explorer you'll see its all over the road with no power at all, there only good for towing small trailers
Cm snipe, go ahead and tow a car with your explorer you'll see its all over the road with no power at all, there only good for towing small trailers
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 131
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From: Austin, Texas, U.S.
Oh, I hate to post *****...but 1996 began the V-8 option since the Mustang stopped the 5.0 V-8 in 1995 (Ford has to use those extra 8's somewhere!) and the SOHC 4.0 began in 1997.
The OHV however continued until I believe it was 2001, because it was still the only motor to have the 5-speed manual option on it. The SOHC is now the standard engine in the 3rd Generation, and it now has a 5-speed manual option to my knowledge. The OHV is now gone. Make sure when they say 4.0 in a late model 2nd Gen (1995-2001) that it is a SOHC 4.0, because that's the V-6 you want, trust me.
The OHV however continued until I believe it was 2001, because it was still the only motor to have the 5-speed manual option on it. The SOHC is now the standard engine in the 3rd Generation, and it now has a 5-speed manual option to my knowledge. The OHV is now gone. Make sure when they say 4.0 in a late model 2nd Gen (1995-2001) that it is a SOHC 4.0, because that's the V-6 you want, trust me.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 39
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From: Florida
ok i just went out an checked the manufacturers label on the driver side door. the front of my X weighs 2710lbs the rear weighs 2950 an it says the the gwvr is 5320...the front an the read weigh 5660lbs. minus the 340lb motor an thats the gwvr.plus an average guy is around 180 give or take 20 makin the X around 5800lbs which is close enough to 6000lbs. i have the 4.0L SOHC an again modified stangs are really light.prolly as light as a crappy kia spectra. plus your gonna have swayin motion on anything being hauled.ive been on bridges an seen huge f350 with trailers seeing them things swing slightly over into other lanes.so your arguement on "your gonna have a ton of swayin an when cars pass you by..."is pointless.ever been stuck in a turning lane when the straight lane passes you??your car/suv/truck will shake.
Freshman User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 39
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From: Florida
ok im gonna make this clear.the engine in my X is not the stock one. it was replaced after it was released from a fleet company. According to the dealership i bought it at, the mechanic informed me it is a SOHC it was used but it was put into what i have now.sorry for the confusion if you thought it was the stock motor.i just wish they put the 5.0L in it i woulda paid the extra money