4.0 good enough for towing?

[powerman5000]

I currently have a 96 with a the 5.0 V8. Love the extra torque and it's been reliable. Looking to replace it with a used 02 or 03 with the 4.6 but they're hard to find. Is the 4.0 V6 and transmission ok for towing? I tow every weekend in the summer- about 3200 lbs- and I need this truck to last me for a while.

 

[section525]

If you're towing that often there is no way I would reccommend the 4.0 tranny. I would stick with a V8 and the 4r70w.

If you have a 5.0L and you're thinking about a 4.6L.. where does the 4.0L come in to play?? Are you going to maybe compromise and get an 02-03 V6?! Don't do that!

Welcome to the site by the way!

 

[Mike_H]

I would think that it would do just fine, the 4l has enough power for 3200lbs

 

[powerman5000]

Thanks for the quick replies. Damn, that 96 of yours looks awesome, Section525.

the reason i'm thinking V6 is because we can't find a 4.6 and we can't afford new. the salesmen say the newer explorers have better V6's and more reliable, but I had a 92 Navajo and after a couple years of towing, it overheated and had some bad knocking. I still love my 96 but it's getting up there in miles.

Great website.

 

[section525]

Thanks Powerman!

The problem is not the 4.0 at all.. its the 5r55eblah blah. The 4.0 OHVs are pretty bulletproof.

The trannies are junk and usually only last around 70k with just normal driving. Towing often would drastically reduce the lifespan. IMO.

 

[dogfriend]

Originally posted by powerman5000


the salesmen say the newer explorers have better V6's and more reliable,.

If you believe that you should take the salesmen's word for anything, then you should check out this link:

Confessions of a Car Salesman

I tow a camping trailer with a 4.0 OHV and 5R55e, but my trailer weighs less than 2500 lbs fully loaded. Even so, I'm beginning to get some symptoms of tranny problems at 92K miles.

 

[Commtech]

I have had my 93 for about 5 yrs now, and have been towing an 18ft I/O Cobia in the summer. I usually tow 90 miles both ways about 10-15 times a summer. So far (knock on wood), I have not had any trouble.

 

[Alec]

My tranny didn't have any problems with towing as long as I babied it and turned OD off if I needed to.

....It just crapped out cause I was routing over 300 hp through it

 

[Bill Kemp]

Having towed with both 96 OHV & now 5.0 I wouldnt go back to a 6 Cyl.
Go to a used car lot, preferably where you know someone that works there, and ask them to find you one at the auctions. I have done this for many years and if your not in too much of a hurry you can get all the features you want. Usually at a better price cause the dealer know he has a sale and wont have to put it on his floor plan.

 

[wantanexploder]

i'm am looking into buying a friends '00 for a pretty good price with the 4.0 as well and will be towing my 17' sea ray and maybe a light toyota truck. from what i have gathered here is that the engine itself will do fine but the tranny is weak. is that correct? if so, has anybody built their trannys at all? if so what is availble?