Hey guys, I am getting ready to make the jump and get a Jeep Green 4 dr and will be adding a 3" and 35's to it. I plan on using it to tow my ski boat (Ski Nautique 196) and I wanted to know if the JK will be capable of towing a 20 ft boat or will I need to regear immediately. Any you guys tow boats with your JK?

 

1. Will your Jeep have the 3.21 or 4.10 gears?
2. Automatic or manual? (I assume auto, if you are towing...)

3.21 auto = you will get out of your driveway towing with 35's...as long as you have it in 4Low

4.10 auto = you will be able to tow unless you come to any hills, speedbumps, large potholes...

With 35's you will feel like you are towing, even when you are not. I would regear immediately.

 

You will probably be ok if you get the tow package.

I have the 4.10 gears with auto tranny and pull a large pop up camper. I can tell it is back there, especially when climbing.

I didn't buy one with the tow package, but later added the 7 pin wiring harness (around $80) and the OEM hitch ($125ish) and then got the suspension from a rubi with the tow package (stiffer rear springs). I don't know how much extra the tow package is, but if I had to do it over again, I would probably buy one with the tow package instead of doing it myself.

With the 4.10 gears and auto tranny, the jks are only rated for 3500 pounds.
Adding a lift and bigger tires will not help your cause any, but it may not hurt too much if you are only towing for a short distance.

Good luck.

 

4 dr Shara with 4.10 manual w/ tow package. Tows my 2 place enclosed sled trailer fine. Not the same as my F150 V8, but it isn't bad.

 

But you haven't put the 35's on yet? Technically, you lose 10%, but it feels like more. At least with the manual, you have better end gear ratios.

 

Thanks guys for the replies and it is a manual with the 4.10 gears and the boat weighs 2640 lbs dry weight so I will give it a try when I get everything set up.

 

You will probably want to re-gear soon if you are going to be towing often. 5.13's seem to be the way to go with 35's according to WOL and others on here.

 

BlkRubi your rig looks dope I hope mine turns out similar, and yea I be getting 5.13's put in soon.