What model to get for towing high payloads?

[SDSupraTT]

I am kind of new to the whole SUV/truck thing seeing as I am more of a Sports Car Nut

Anyway I need to get a second car to lower my insurance premiums so have been looking into SUV's since I would like to have something that I can take offroading and also I would like something that I can tow my Supra(3600 pounds + another 1000 for the trailor for a total of about 4600) with to the track

Since I am relativly mechanical I am not to picky about high milage as I can fix most of the little So I have been looking mainly at 91-94 since there can be found for a ~$3000-4000 (remeber saving money is the key here).
I was also thinking of getting a sport rather than the 4 door for increased manuverability in the city and a 4x4 over a 4x2 is where I am currently leaning for the play aspect of the purchase But of course the 4x4 saps power for towing and the sport from what I have read doesn't have as stong rear springs?

The main problem is I haven't been able to find the information that I have been looking for. So can someone tell me what the tow ratings are for the different models?

Also can I upgrade parts for a higher payload rating? for example a better hitch?

Also can some quickly explain the different methods of lifting an explorer and the pro/cons of each? Seams to me there are 3 meathods of doing so. Shocks/body(though what parts of the body are lifted?)/torsion twist(dont quite understand what is being tweaked to give more height, springs?)

Any good FAQ sites out there as well? I read through some but didn't get the information I was looking for.

Oh and what is a locker?

Thanks,
Brent

 

[rgiles]

I don't know what the tow weights are, but in the years you are talking about they came with V6's. I have a '91 and I bought it with the tow package, but never have used it. You need to look specifically at those that came with the tow package or that were upgraded for towing. They come with a limited slip rear end with a different gear ratio. Not sure if the sport's came with tow packages or not, but mine is an xlt 4 dr 4wd.

 

[section525]

The ultimate Explorer you are describing would be a '96 V8 AWD. It could handle all your needs (except for the Sport thing). The only problem is it might be tough finding one for that cheap. They're probably around 6-8k now. But I tow a lot with mine. I have a Drawtite Class V with the 3.73 LS. If you're going to be towing heavy loads it would probably be in your best interest to get a four door due to the longer wheelbase.

 

[Crankcase]

You defintiley need a V8....

Originally posted by SDSupraTT
Oh and what is a locker?

Thanks,
Brent

A locker is a locking differential. It locks both wheels too the driving power, so that both are useful in slippery situations as oppposed to one wheeel spinning while the other sits idle...

 

[SDSupraTT]

I realize the V8 would be much better, but since funds are limited I can't justify the 7-8k for one. If this was the case I would just rent a truck to tow and just get something smaller.

What I really need is some stats for a 91-94 with the tow package, and also without just for my general knowledge.

 

[Robert]

Definately go with a V8 as a minimum. My '97 4x4 Sport with tow package is rated at 4800 lbs. max. I've pulled up to about 3500-4000 lbs. with it and it definately zaps the power. On flat ground mine does OK, but as soon as I put a mountain grade in front of it with a trailer over 2000 lbs. and I have to wind it out to maintain 55 MPH. The V8 towing rating starts at about 6000-6500 lbs.

 

[Fischer]

My 95 with auto trans and tow pkg is rated at 5500lbs. I tow a 22' boat with a 350V8 no worries. I would think that the boat alone would weigh almost if not more than the Supra.

You need an Automatic as they are rater higher than the Manual trans. Also the 4dr is rated higher than the 2dr Sport.

I am not sure if the rating wen't up in 95 compared to the 94 but I would think if it did it would be based on the 95+ having rear disc brakes.

I know that I tow better than the Ranger 4.0 that normally tows the boat and he has towed it from here in Denver to Durnago many times no problem. There are about 4 high mountain passes on that trip. I think you will be fine with a V6, Auto, and at least 3.73 gears and definately a tranny cooler. Slap on a secondary filter as well.

Good Luck.

**edit** That and the 4dr will have less tendancy to sway than the 2dr as it has a longer wheel base. More room for stuff too.

 

[SDSupraTT]

ahhh disc rear brakes...I hadn't noticed that before...but it looks like there is a conversion out there to handle it.

 

[Fischer]

Also different trannys. up to 94 had A4LD and 95+ has either a 4R55E or 5R55E. Not much difference in them all as they are all almost the same. 5R is a 5 speed, 4R is a 4 speed and both the newer ones have beefed up clutch plates and are electronically controlled as well as the torque converter. They lock up better I hear???

 

[expo5.0]

don't buy a 96 V8... you'll end up with a bigger trailer and looking for a superduty to tow your new truck and your supra to the track.

honestly, i think you can get away with a slightly modified early sport with a MANUAL (if you try to tow that trailer often with the auto they come with it will fail time and time again) then you just need to add some lift to the rear with add a leafs, shackles, or maybe an air lift system (i bet you'd like that if your into cars and its under $300 for adjustable suspension) check out airliftcompanies.com

 

[SDSupraTT]

Well was looking more for an auto just because of the greater load capacity. From what I have read as long as I give it lots of cooling...ie biggest damn tranny cooler that I can fit with a filter and watch the trans temp I hopefully *should* be ok. Can a newer tranny be swapped in should this one blow? or are they not compatable due to the electronics?

Towing would be a fairly infrequent thing as it would only be maybe at most 3-4 times a year, unless I purchase a boat next or a small travel trailor.

the main trip that I would like to do next year would be from Cali to Texas towing the Supra. Of course this means mainly highway and not alot of mountains. The worst that I think of that will test the power would be the Grapevine going from LA to the Central Valley, and really I dont care if it does drop down to 45 going up that. (as long as the the truckers behind me dont run my ass over )

 

[SaleenEXP]

Try to find a used 5.0 Ex/Mounty, effortless towing power and it won't be struggling like a dog like the 4.0.
I know this weighs a lot more, but I've had to take our 27ft Fountain off our dock a few times with my 94' and although it pulled it, it was definitley struggling and wouldn't go above 55-60 on the highway no matter how long I floored it. My moms 5.0 Mounty on the other hand pulls it without a problem and has no trouble passing people even with that boat on a tripple axle trailer. Go 5.0! Plus if your into modding, guessing you are scince you have a Supra, you can do some nice stuff to the 5.0 very easily and cheaply. Also the 5.0's come with a tranny that is light-years ahead of the 4.0's in reliability, performance and towing!

 

[Rhett]

and the sport from what I have read doesn't have as stong rear springs

----
Where did you hear that Explorer Sports have weak rear springs?

 

[Fischer]

Sports have a Mono-Leaf pack. One single beefy spring.

 

[jasonb]

Originally posted by Fischer
Sports have a Mono-Leaf pack. One single beefy spring.

i think that only the 95-00 sports had the monoleaf.

 

[Rhett]

I was going to say...mine is a 94 and it doesn't have a mono. It's the same multi-leaf setup as my friends 93 XLT. Gosh I didn't know 95-00 sports were like that...and I find yet another reason why I like 1st gens.

 

[jasonb]

oh its a very easy fix. i replaced mine with a 4dr pack from the local junkyard. $75 and about 2 hrs of varied labor and its all good. it was another ford cheapo manuever though.

 

[asp84]

Towing with an Explorer Auto tranny is not a good idea. Unless you have the 4R70W that came behind V8's. My suggestion is: Get a 96 V8 explorer. It will save you money in the long run. The tranny has a 2inch wide OD band, Wide Ratio Gear Set for towing, amd bigger auto unlocking torque converter that DWARFS the small 4.0L torque converter. Think about, put the money that you would spend for a tranny rebuild on a 4.0 trans to the 5.0L V8 Explorer. I have a 5.0L V8, and while it may not be as zippy as a SOHC explorer....it has tons of LOW-END TORQUE....(good for towing) (you don't need to REV the V8 up like you do a v6. Also, moest of the V8 explorers come stock with the good 3.73 31 spline 8.8in axle with Disc brakes.....good for stopping when towing a trailer.

Just my $.02.
Al

 

[FrankRizzo]

 

[SplashMan]

I don't know why everyone says you HAVE to have a V8 to pull with , my V6 does fine pulling 5596 pounds worth of B2 and trailer...

would a V8 do it easier? Yes, but you guys are making it sound like a V8 is this guys only option. Once you find a nice 91-94 Sport you like, get a set off add-a-leafs and a aux tranny cooler for it and add a nice class III hitch. If your trailer have electric brakes get them set up too. Later down the line, you can look into swapping a nice 302 into it if you feel you need too, since you are trying to save money... for the little amount(3-4 times a year) that you are actually going to be pulling, your V6 will do fine...