I have a 1990 Lebaron i wish to tow aprox 150-160 miles on a dolly. car +dolly weighs in at aprox 3500 LBS I know people have asked questions like this before and i did look but just want some more feed back if people could please help out. thanks. This is probably over what my truck is rated to tow but am wondering if it is still capable. It might take a few miles out of the auto trans but thats no big deal ta me, putting a trans in isnt that hard and ive already had a few Chysler transmissions apart (a604)

Truck is a 1991 ranger w/ 4X4 trans cooler and 3.73 ratio rear/front diff.

2.9 liter engine.

Runs pretty well and im in ILL so the trip is fairly flat.

Any tips comments concerns, opinions, anything would help thanks guys.
Otherwise, if you dont think its capable, id get a 1990 dakota my friend has for sale, needs a rear main seal. Its 2 wheel drive though and would prefer to keep the 4X4 ranger at this point.

I know it'll pull it probably not too awful fast but if i can maintain 50 or so in third gear(take it out of OD naturally) id be satisfied. As for a hitch, I've already worked all that out. And no, there are not any trailer brakes on the dolly, I will just have to drive accordingly.

If i do plan on towing it, all fluids will be changed including both differentials.

Thanks again,

Eric S.

 

Did a longer trip with my 87 2.3 ranger with big hills and it worked out fine. I was running speeds up to 80mph in the flats. A 2.9 should handle it fine. Also I towed it off the bumper. Good luck!

 

No prop. I had a 88 supercab 4x4 with the 2.9 5speed and 3.73. Towed my 62 F250 that way and had plenty of power. I also Towed a similar car behind my 95 supercab with the 2.3 four and worked fine.

 

Thanks for your help guys, kinda confirmed what i thought. I plan on pullin it off the bumper, the bumper will be reinforced though with some scrap steel. Ill draw some plans up on auto cad maybe this weekend. Wont be pullin it until like mid may so ill let ya'll know how it came out.

 

Just take it easy- don't push the truck harder than necessary, and leave plenty of extra room to stop.

 

Yah, like i said, if it makes it 50 MPH the hole way im very satisfied with that, gunna do it late at night, so there is less traffic. It'll be pullin along mainly all corn fields so shouldnt have to be any panic stops or anything but ill definetly leave myself more room. Thanks for the input guys. Any other things i should be concerned about? or does my approach seem logical?

Thanks again, this forum is great, i have o participate more.

 

manually shift your auto trans when pulling alot of weight. when you manually shift it adds either an extra clutch pack or a band to a clutch pack to make that gear stronger. Also, if it shifts in and out of O/D alot then turn O/D off until on a flat area when it will stay in O/D. Take it easy and have a great trip!

P.S. what is your fluid like? last trans service?

 

Changed the fluid at the end of the summer, plan on changing the fluid again and the diff fluid as well before the haul. It has a new radiator in it as well, well not a "new" one a junk yard one, refer to my other post radiator, fist sized hole for the details lol. So the radiator is flushed out and clean as well. over heating is my main concern but w. the trans cooler i think ill be okay. whatever heat the torque converter creates from it never locking up due to it not being in OD the trans cooler should be sufficient to take care of. ( I hope) Thanks for all the great info guys.

 

I tow a lot with my 93 4.0 with a a4dl auto tran and I can say this tran gets HOT going up a hill even with OD off and I have to have two large tran coolers. One thing about an auto tran when it gets hot it will get hot fast and if it gets to hot you are going to burn up your auto tran in no time so…..
Do like others have said have a good radiator, brakes and make sure your tires are in good shape with the right pressure. high octane gas helps.
If the trailer is heaver then your truck is then you are going to have problems, it’s going to be a pain in the a** you are going to be fatigued towing it. Remember this don’t get into an accident because you can get it for manslaughter or jail time if you hurt someone. I knew someone that was towing more then what he should be towing and he got into a head up accident and he spent a few years in jail and not only that being sued lost his house, wife.
Fact I just seen a older small size truck yesterday along side the road he was towing a camping trailer two times bigger then this truck was, steam coming up was coming out of his hood, my guess he blow this engine up, I wanted to help but I had no time anyway plus my Ranger couldn’t of towed this large trailer anyway.
Have to thought about renting a big truck to tow it like a Uhaul?
Just be careful, take your time if you do it take a lot of coffee and take a lot of rest stops. I don’t want to hear from you latter saying something bad happened because I would kick you’re a*** j/k