ToTheWall

My impression is that you have more dollars than sense.

Elickzer

I should also mention that the overall footprint comes into play as well. Since the leverage on an unlimited when force applies to the hitch is different than a 2-Door. Hence why the unlimited can tow more.

warlord

this discussion really shouldnt be going any further

unless there is a way to legally get the towing capacity changed in writing after inspection, (which i dont think there is)

than there is nothing you can really do

aggie sig

for the reasons you listed... YES

for other purposes including highway power, ability to use nil throttle while rock crawling, acceleration, racing, etc. a hemi is a wonderful option to those who can afford one.

db09JKU

But it is not originally build and designed for racing and acceleration and highway power.....


Again more devils advocate toward the hole modification thing.

Yankee

You devil! What does design and practicality have to do with FUN?

Although, I would be afraid to tow more than rated towing especially with a two door, hemi or not. The hemi for sure has the power to pull but I do not see how it would be stable in any kind of emergency with 7k behind you. Even in a 4 door. That would be.....unFUN.

Best bet is a 5th wheel truck and trailer for that kind of weight IMO. Hauling big or heavy stuff once a while is the only reason my Silverado is still in the barn.

AZJeeper

So what exactly in my post indicated I would do such a thing? I'm simply pointing out 1) facts - the same JK is in fact rated to tow 3500 kg (that's 7,716 lbs) in some European countries, and 2) there's a lot of opinions on the topic.

The tow limit is arbitrary. Take the Dodge RAM for example. My 2009 is rated almost 1500 lbs less than the 2010 version. By Chrysler's own admission, they made zero changes to structure or programming - it was simply "re-evaluated".

As I stated, I can't speak for the legal issues. Hell, I don't know if there ARE any legal issues. Of all the times this topic has been debated and researched, I have yet to see one shred of evidence other than "my uncle's cousin's roommate was sued" for towing more than the vehicle was rated for. Maybe some WILL end this once and for all and post a site that has clear evidence that it is, if fact, illegal to tow more than the manufacture's suggested tow limit. Other than hard proof, I agree it's a good idea not to exceed the manufacturer's suggested limits.

BTW - What did you mean by stating "If you want to tow heavy trailers buy a truck!!!"? The Jeep Wrangler is considered a "light truck". Did you mean "heavy duty truck" or simply "a truck rated at the capacity you wish to tow"? My Dodge RAM is also a "light truck" and is rated to tow well over 7,000 lbs. Some pickups, like some versions of the Chevy S-10, are only rated at 3,000 lbs towing. Is an S-10 not a truck but my RAM is?

08JKWrangler

Typical Liberal Canadian Response I guess. Criticize instead of joining a constructive dialogue or read the full thread. It's getting old my northern friend..

Bobicon

My understanding is that the main limiting factor for towing using a 4-door unlimited is cooling of the weak 3.8. ( engineer from Chrysler indicated this issue on a post somewhere, can't remember where) I can personally verify this as I tow a 3000 lb (loaded) pop-up trailer. When coming back from Utah last summer and heading back into California across highway 15 there are some exceptionally long and steep grades. The temp in the afternoon was in the low 100s. As I climbed some of the grades the inadequate cooling definitely showed up with the cooling guage 3/4 or more to the right. I was definitely worried about having to pull over and rest the little gerbils in the engine. Now admittedly I was reving the little 3.8 because I have not regeared and the transimssion is kicking in and out. As far as braking, that was a non issue with a brake controller and electronic brakes, stability was greatly enhanced with a sway bar (long side profile of the pop-up) and stance was fine with a set of air lift 1000 air bags.

I have also towed the same trailer and load with my Wife's Pathfinder Off-road (Listed towing capacity is 6,500 lbs; the V8 Pathfinder is listed at 8000 lbs due to the larger engine) and what a difference. If you look at wheel base and other particulars of these two vehicles they are not that different. I think they perform equally well in both braking and stability. The difference I noticed was in engine performance. Nissan has a great engine in their 4.0 L V6 and it shows it in my towing experience. No cooling issues and always plently of power to spare. (This engine would rock in the Jeep).

So while there may be legal issues regarding towing greater than stated trailer weights, I can't imagine that upgrading the power and also the cooling would not increase the towing capacity of a 4 door Unlimited. I don't think the same would cross over to the 2-door because of the short wheel base. I think a four door could reasonably tow about 5000 lbs with a hemi upgrade. Almost all vehciles have increasing towing capacity with increasing motor size despite having the same frame.

ericsurfffs