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Topic: Jeep Cherokee Toad (Read 12 times) previous topic - next topic
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Jeep Cherokee Toad
Yahoo Message Number: 149708
I would like to connect with the LD group member who tows a modified Jeep Cherokee XJ, but I can't remember who it is.  Any help is appreciated.

George C.
Saucier, MS Balmy November in the South
Re: Jeep Cherokee Toad
Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149713
I have a modified Jeep Cherokee XJ 4X4 Country model, although there are others in the group with Cherokees.
I would be glad to give any info I have but Larry Wade is the expert on Jeeps. His Cherokee has way more mods for off roading.

Larry did pretty much all the mods to my Cherokee except for cylinder head porting and machining. His expertise is why it runs so well as he assembled and tuned the engine and fixed glitches caused by backyard mechanics that worked it before I bought it. He knows Jeeps. I will be happy to answer any questions I can but all of what I know came from Larry.

The mods are as follows: Banks revolver header and monster exhaust.
Bored throttle body to 62mm by Hesco.
Intake manifold and cylinder head ported and polished by Valley Head Service in L.A.
All exhaust and intake ports matched to manifolds.
Cylinder head milled .010 U.S. Gear unified braking system (I feel the SMI unit is better and will be replacing the U.S. Gear unit) Roadmaster Sterling tow set up.
Old Man EMU springs front and rear providing approx. 2" lift.
I probably forgot something, This toad rides better then the short wheelbase Jeeps and Suzuki, Geo, etc. Lots of room to stash stuff that won't fit in LD.

Power is more than I expected for an I6.  If you wish to email me directly it's bobmoore14ATgmail.com Bob
Re: Jeep Cherokee Toad
Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149714
"I would like to connect with the LD group member who tows a modified Jeep Cherokee XJ, but I can't remember who it is.  Any help is appreciated."

George

We have towed our modified  2001 Cherokee for ten years and over 60,000 miles https://www.flickr.com/photos/lwade/collections/72157603770130683/

Did we meet at the Grand Caravan?

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze
 
Re: Jeep Cherokee Toad
Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 149723
George,
 I have towed my 2000 XJ "4-down" behind my RV for over 160K miles. This has been behind a large truck/camper, a 2005 LD MB, and my current 29 ft SOB. My XJ has 125K miles on it and is pretty close to stock; 2-inch lift, slightly larger tires, limit slip diff, and full set of skid plates.  Also a US Gear tow brake, which has stopped working and I can't seem to get the problem corrected.

My thoughts on towing the XJ would include: ØIt is light weight (under 4K lbs) and tows beautifully.
ØFront tires with an aggressive tread have an impact on how it tows: oThe tires will wear faster than a normal "street tread." ( I have BFG All Terrain TA's on mine). oKeeping the Jeep's front end correctly aligned is an absolute necessity.
oIf you turn a corner too hard, there is a greater tendency for the Jeep front end to "hit the steering limits." When this occurs you drag the front tires and create "flat spots." (I've done this.) oOn a highway with a very rough surface, you may see the Jeep frontend "hunt" a bit to find the right track. This may be even more pronounced on a highway that is grooved in the direction of travel. oA steering stabilizer on the Jeep front end can help with this problem, if it is properly adjusted, or it can create other problems.
ØLearn how hard you can turn your coach with the Jeep connected. The geometry of your tow bar will determine this. Go to a large parking lot and try it while someone observes things for you. (Before I learned this I managed to wrap my Jeep around the rear bumper of my LD. Did not hurt the LD, but the LD bumper bent the XJ bumper and fender. My XJ bumper is now about 18-inches shorter on each end and won't hit the coach even if I turn too hard.).
ØA tow brake is definitely required. I would recommend one that is "built-in." I originally had a "brake in a box" and it did not work very well; particularly going down hill where you really need it.
ØIf you have a "tow/haul" transmission you will have to learn how to coordinate the action of the "tow/haul" function and the operation of the tow brake in the Jeep.  Getting the hang of it won't take long.
ØCurrently I have a TPMS in the coach but no sensors on the Jeep. I have ordered 4 more sensors ordered for this purpose.
ØInstall some mechanism for having the coach keep the Jeep battery charged. Most of the tow brakes take a significant amount of power to keep them running all day. There are commercial packages for doing this or you can build your own. (I managed to completely discharge my Jeep battery a couple of times before I did this.)
 Obviously these are based on my personal experience, my particular tow equipment, etc. Your situation may be much different.

Doug Baker