Towing equipment
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Senior User
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From: Sacramento
Towing equipment
My 96 4.0 extended now tows a 1200 lb popup camper trailer on occasion. 2 questions: Am I not correct in recalling that a 4.0 extended has the tranny cooler (tow package) as OEM? 2nd question: On the flat stretches (lotsa those,I'm in the Sacramento valley, CA) is it OK to tow in OD? Thanks
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From: Mitchell, SD
Originally Posted by MO51
Am I not correct in recalling that a 4.0 extended has the tranny cooler (tow package) as OEM?
2nd question: On the flat stretches (lotsa those,I'm in the Sacramento valley, CA) is it OK to tow in OD? Thanks
Former ******
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
Towing in overdrive is fine, unless the tranny starts to pop in and out of overdrive. This is called hunting, as in the above post, and it is caused when the computer wants to kick in down a gear based upon engine load, but then once it picks up a bit of speed, it shifts back into overdrive, then the engine load increases again, so it shifts back down. On flat areas, with a medium weight trailer, this is not likely to happen. If you are towing a really heavy trailer, or going up hills a lot, don't use the overdrive.
On the tranny cooler, go ahead and get a high performance aftermarket one. The stock one is not very good, and is kind of smallish.
On the tranny cooler, go ahead and get a high performance aftermarket one. The stock one is not very good, and is kind of smallish.
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From: Sacramento
Thank you both for your info. Would you remove the OEM exterior cooler, or leave it and install the upgrade cooler in series? Doesn't look like a lotta spare room in front of this van. My 51F1 has just a good sized JC Whitney aftermarket cooler in front of a 302 and a C4. No intank cooler. Does very well.
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From: The Show Me State
MO51,
I installed mine (97 4.0 and 93 3.0) in series, I had no desire to "re-engineer" the stuff that was already there. You're right, there's not a lot of room, but there's enough...
DadVan
I installed mine (97 4.0 and 93 3.0) in series, I had no desire to "re-engineer" the stuff that was already there. You're right, there's not a lot of room, but there's enough...
DadVan
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I just installed a Hayden cooler in series with the OEM one. Used ty wraps and rubber hose insulators to mount it on the power steering cooler .
Check ebay, hayden cooler, for some good prices.
Check ebay, hayden cooler, for some good prices.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: SW VA
I have a '91 ext. 4.0 and tow my fourwheeler (600lbs) on our trailer (650-700lbs) and use OD when Im above 55mph. I live in the Appalachian Mountains, and the van will just chugg right up all but the steepest grades.
I will usually keep it in OD until it shifts down, or if I know I wont make the hill in OD, I will pull it back into D.
I will usually keep it in OD until it shifts down, or if I know I wont make the hill in OD, I will pull it back into D.
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From: The Show Me State
All,
I forgot to comment on the OD question...
That's actually one of the things I love about my '97. Based on the nifty electronic control (button on the end of the shift lever...), it seems they "planned" for folks staying in OD when they could, switching to D only when REQUIRED.
I tow(ed) a 10' pop-up with the '97 A*,a 4.0L, and left in in OD most of the time except in really hilly areas (like the Ozarks in MO and AR...).
DadVan
I forgot to comment on the OD question...
That's actually one of the things I love about my '97. Based on the nifty electronic control (button on the end of the shift lever...), it seems they "planned" for folks staying in OD when they could, switching to D only when REQUIRED.
I tow(ed) a 10' pop-up with the '97 A*,a 4.0L, and left in in OD most of the time except in really hilly areas (like the Ozarks in MO and AR...).
DadVan
5th Wheeling
Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Manitoba
Just so you know, I have a 92 aero with a 3.0 and 245k. I have been towing a 23 foot flagstaff trailer for 8 years now with no problems. I can averager 50 mph unless it is really windy. I put in an oversized trans cooler and an equalizer hitch. I tow 2 to 3 times a year and usually traver 250 miles each way. So far so good. The only thing that has ever gone is the exhaust gasket between the manifold on the drivers side and the pipe.
I never use OD as the manual says not to.
I never use OD as the manual says not to.
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