I am interested in purchasing a CJ to tow one of my cars. I know it's short wheelbase does not make it ideal for this task. However, I have always been in love with Jeeps, and the military is sending me across the country.

So, I need to buy a truck to tow my Trans Am, and I figure this is my opportunity.

What do you think the towing capacity of a 1981 CJ with a 440 ci V8 would be? Obviously, I'd need to get a Class III hitch welded to the frame.

Thanks!
Bill

IMO I don't think that any CJ weighs enough to safely tow another car. Trans Ams are not very small cars either. I could see the tow car pushing a CJ around coming to stops. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" />

NOT A CHANCE! Don't even THINK about it! Get a pickup.
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

-sigh- thank guys! It was worth a shot.

There aren't any new pickups that float my boat. What is a 4x4 lover to do?

How about a 2 door Cherokee? Do you think that will fit the bill?

Tahoe still has a frame under it!
Big Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

If you prefer an SUV to a pickup, it depends on whether you want a big one or a medium size one.

Navigators, Suburbans, Tahoes, and Yukons are all good tow vehicles with the correct options, but they are fairly large vehicles.

If you want a smaller SUV, the Ford Explorer, Chevy Trailblazer, and Toyota FourRunner can all be obtained with options that will allow them to have a towing capacity of 6600 to 7200 pounds. Each of those vehicles can be obtained with a V8 engine.

I chose a Trailblazer because I was able to get it with a 300+ horsepower V8, 3.73 gears, part-time 4WD plus selective automatically engaging front axle, and tow package. I could only get 3.53 gears with a V8 in the Explorer, and the FourRunner is a full-time 4WD system.

chose a Trailblazer because I was able to get it with a 300+ horsepower V8, 3.73 gears, part-time 4WD plus selective automatically engaging front axle, and tow package.

That thing must be a real Mule! What kind of milage does it get?
Big JIm <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

ive heard of those trailer blazers, that'd be a great sleeper vehcile, throw an exhaust and intake on there and u might have yourself a 13 second blazer

Well, I've only had my Trailblazer a couple of housand miles, and haven't made any trips yet. It's advertised as getting 15 in he city and 21 on the freeway. So far in the city, I'm getting about 14, and I don't baby the go-pedal. Don't know about the highway mileage. This has the fuel/ignition system that cuts down to 4 cyinders when you're just steady-state cruising and then opens all 8 when any demand isplaced on it. That is done so smoothly, I can't tell in he city.

This is the 5.3 liter V8, which is advertised as having 303 hp and 330 ft-lbs of torque.

You can also get the Trailblazer SS, which has a 6.0 liter Corvette engine with 400 hp and something over 400 ft-lbs of torque. I was going to get that one, until I found out that its really a boulevard cruiser, not for any off-road. It only has an all-wheel drive (no low range), and the suspension is lowered over 5 inches.

But I'm satisfied with the 5.3 liter in mine. It's pretty stout, and gets up there in a hurry. It seems tuned pretty good as is. It has a fairly clear exhaust system that sounds pretty throaty at anything over 1000 rpm.

I'd love to have that setup in my CJ! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> Probably just get myelf in trouble, though.

I like the 4wd system. In addition to Neutral, it has 4 modes of operation: (1) Two wheel drive, w/ no power going to the front axle; (2) Automatic 4wd, where it says in 2wd until it senses any rear-wheel slippage, then automatically engages the front axle and puts power to it; (3) 4WD High Range, and (4) 4WD Low Range.

Oh yeah ... it also has an automatic locker in the rear axle!

The extras I got on it included front tow hooks, skid plates, an installed Class III hitch, and wired up for 7-pin tow connector. I just had to put a brake controller in it, and it was ready to go. The Bose stereo system, XM radio, and OnStar are fun to play with, also.

I really enjoyed driving this thing in the snow, despite the fact that it doesn't have snow tires on it. If it had a litle more ground clearance, I might be tempted to take it off-road. I still may take it to the sand dunes, although the wife would pitch a ***** getting it "all dirty"! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

That sounds like a real nice ride.. I think I will go look at them this weekend if I have time. The wife is getting near scary time with her 01 suburban. I'm thinking I will get her something this summer..
Jim <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />