I have a 99 5-speed I6 4x4 with no hitch. All I'm wanting to tow is a small trailer with 2 atv's on it. First off I've never towed with anything other than an automatic. Do I need to keep it outta overdrive? I have an AX-15 transmission and the Chrysler diff.

 

Depending on what kind of terrain your towing in, just use common sense and taller gears if need be. Go to your local parts store and get a Class III hitch.

I've done some work to my daily XJ (auto), but it's setup to the point now where it'll safely tow my big XJ. But here in Florida, there aren't that many hills to worry about.

You should be just fine.

 

One major mistake too many do is to attempt towing without knowing the capacity of the tow vehicle. Check your owner's manual to see what the allowable weight to tow is.

The first time I tried to tow anything with my previous XJ, we found that the rear suspension is not real tuned to towing unless the load is real light. Aside from the class III hitch receiver, I'd recommend changing your shock setup. Either coilover springs or air shocks in the rear will improve your towing ability significantly. You could go with air bags, but that's a significantly more expensive way to go. You'll know if you need to do this when after you hook up your loaded trailer, the rear sags.

 

With a manual trans you should downshift whenever you think the engine is lugging. Make sure you have some tongue weight.

 

Got the down shifting. Just wanted to make sure I could go down the highway in 5th. I'll probably try to get some HD shocks. I'll check for the load cap for it. Worse case scenario I only haul 1 atv. Trailer is a lightweight, I move it around with 1 hand. And of course, position load.

 

If you get a class III hitch, you will have no problems. IIRC the Cherokee can tow 5000 lbs and the max tongue weight is 500 lbs.

2 large ATVs and a trailer to match might tip the scales around 2000 lbs. The tongue weight should be 10% to 15% of the gross weight of the trailer. So if it weighs 2000 lbs it should have at least 200 lbs of tongue weight.

As for what gear to be in... it really depends... just don't lug the engine and you will be okay.

 

I got the downshifting part. I just know on an automatic you have to stay outta overdrive cause it puts too much pressure on the transmission valves and seals. I wanted to make sure it wouldn't hurt a manual cause I've never towed with a manual.

 

Your XJ will handle the light trailer and two ATVs just fine...so long as you have stock sized tries if you're running stock gears. Like the guys said use common sense when selecting your gears. You have been driving your Jeep long enough to know it's happy RPM area. If you're towing on flat ground you should be able to use 5th gear just fine. Just down shift as needed when pulling hills. Don't be afraid to use 4th and even third on the highway. The Jeep 4.0 litre I-6 can run just fine all day at 3000rpm. Granted you won't get your best fuel mileage there but, you can run your Jeep there to pull a hill and it won't hurt it a bit. Keep an eye on your water temp. gauge, though. The cooling systems installed in the XJ at the factory weren't the best.

 

Lolz! I'm installing gauges next week. It came with dummy lights. Only got fuel and speed. Not even rpm gauge. Stock gears, tires(07 wrangler wheels) and suspension. I got the 0630 head, ax-15 trans(4x4) and the Chrysler diff. Installed K&N cold air and a flowmaster 44 flowtech last week. I can feel it's happy range. And I love it. Without a load I get 27 mpg.

 

A standard trans doesnt care what gear you tow in but the engine will. Ive towed alot with my ax15 and it doesnt care.

 

If I'm reading the manual correctly, towing over 2000lbs requires the 4.0L AND automatic transmission with auxiliary cooler and heavy duty engine cooling. The clutch is always the weak link in a light duty, manual tranny vehicle. Class II hitch (3500lbs) should be more than ample for towing with a manual tranny.

 

So an '01 Cherokee sport with the 4.0L and the factory towing package can tow 5000 pounds?

 

That's the way I read/understand the '98 owners manual......2000lbs without.

The main component u get in the tow pkg is the auto tranny cooler.......my guess is most XJs already have the 4.0L motor, the auto tranny and A/C, which includes HD engine cooling (the efan).