increasing towing capacity
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
increasing towing capacity
I would like to know how to increase my towing capacity. I have a '96 explorer xlt 4wd 4dr. , std. transmission, 3.71 rear end gearing. I would appreciate all the input you guys have. Thanks! 
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
The owners manual for my 87 Ranger shows that with a 3.08 dif/manual trans/2.9 liter it can tow 1000 lbs. With 3.45 or 3.73 2000 lbs..
So the simplest way to up your towing cap. is to go with a higher ratio diff.. Automatics can tow more, but who wants all the grief that comes with an automatic.
So the simplest way to up your towing cap. is to go with a higher ratio diff.. Automatics can tow more, but who wants all the grief that comes with an automatic.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,516
Likes: 1
From: SoCal
I'd love to do a 302 swap in my 87 Ranger, but the smog folks here in Cal would'nt approve. In another couple of years i'll be buying a 94 or older F-250 so I can tow a 30 foot fifth wheel trailer & do some serious traveling. What are you wanting to tow?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 335
Likes: 0
From: NJ
How much are you looking at towing and what motor do you have? From everything that I have read here, the going census is to not pull anything over 3500 lbs. regardless of the vehicle setup. The V6 is not guttsy enough to maintain highway speeds with any more weight then that, besides the trailer has a tendancy to sway due to the realatively short wheel base on the Explorer.
