Unexpected new baby...

[John Jones]

I don't care if they use metric or fractional, just pick one.  My damn 98 Tahoe has both.  To change the water pump you need metric to get the fan shroud off, fractional to get the water pump bolts out, and metric for the fan bolts.   :cry:

[JimCt]

What's your Tahoe rated to pull?

[John Jones]

I'll have to look that up.  It came with a factory towing package including tranny cooler, receiver hitch, the large round trailer plug, and electronic brake controller.

[JimCt]

Sooner or later I have to get a vehicle to pull at least the 22-2.  My Cherokee is over 205k now, so it's time to start looking.

[LilRichard]

Jim-  I currently drive an F150 and really like it... but I have driven my friend's Tundra and I am TOTALLY sold.  If you get a chance, go check one out... they are NICE!

[John Jones]

Jim,
from the owners manual

1998 Tahoe
K-1500 Utility
5.7 L gasoline
3.42 gears = 5500 lb  <- mine
3.73 gears = 6000 lb.

If you can find one with the 6.5 diesel add 500lb to each.

[RickK]

I 2nd the Tundra but get the new one - bigger/stouter everything :twisted:
I also liked my F150 4x4 too - it was stout.

[JimCt]

OK, thanks!

[GoneFission]

You might look at the Dodge Durango/Chrysler Aspen with the Hemi and tow package - 8000 lb. tow capacity, 345 HP, 7 passenger seating, all wheel drive, and a nice Mercedes 5 speed automatic tranny.

[gw204]

You might look at the Dodge Durango/Chrysler Aspen with the Hemi and tow package - 8000 lb. tow capacity, 345 HP, 7 passenger seating, all wheel drive, and a nice Mercedes 5 speed automatic tranny.

5.7 HEMI is not a good towing motor.  It has zero low end torque.  Trust me...I have one in my '03 Ram 2500.  The HEMI doesn't make any real power until the tach reads 3000.   :cry:

My old 20' Grady got pulled by a '00 Jeep Cherokee with the famed 4.0 inline six, as well as the Ram.  I much preferred the performance of the Jeep when pulling that boat.

[JimCt]

Thanks GW204!  Have a '95 Cherokee with the six but at 200k+ miles on it pulling the 22-2 may be asking for trouble.  My neighbor with an F250 has offered to tow her back.  Whatever I get has to comfortably handle the 240 at 6000k #.  Possibly a good used F250 4WD.

[GoneFission]

[edit] 4.0
 
Engine bay of a 1993 Jeep Grand Cherokee with 4.0 LThe 4.0 L (242 in³; 3956 cc) straight-6 was an evolution of the 258 and 2.5 and appeared in 1987. It had the same 3.88 in (98.4 mm) bore as the 2.5 with a longer 3.41 in (86.7 mm) stroke. The 4.0 was discontinued at the end of the 2006 model year as the redesigned Jeep Wrangler uses Chrysler's 3.8 L OHV V6.

The first 4.0 engines in 1987 had RENIX (Renault/Bendix) engine control systems, which were quite advanced for their time, but are now handicapped because there are very few scan tools which can be "plugged in" to a RENIX system for diagnosis. The Renix also used a very advanced engine knocking sensor, which allowed the computer to know if detonation was occurring, thus allowing the computer to make the appropriate changes to prevent this.

The 1987 RENIX 4.0 made 173 hp (129 kW) and 220 lb-ft (298 N·m) of torque. In 1988 the 4.0 received higher flowing fuel injectors, taking output to 177 hp (132 kW) and 224 lb-ft (304 N·m) respectively.

In 1991 Chrysler Corporation, then the owners of the Jeep brand, redesigned the RENIX engine control computer and raised the intake ports approximately 1/8″ for a better entry radius. Chrysler also enlarged the throttle body and redesigned the intake and exhaust manifolds for more efficiency, and the fuel injectors were once again replaced with higher flowing units. The camshaft profile was also changed. The net result of all these changes was an engine that made 190 hp (142 kW) and 225 lb-ft (305 N·m) of torque. Badging on Jeeps equipped with this engine read "4.0 Litre HIGH OUTPUT". The new cam profile combined with altered computer programming eliminated the need for an EGR valve and knock sensor, but make the engine more sensitive to alterations, especially where emissions are concerned.

Small changes were made to the cylinder head for the 1995 model year. In 1996, the engine block was redesigned, and a new strengthened unit was then used. The new block made use of more webbing cast into the block, and a stud girdle for added rigidity of the crankshaft main bearings. The cylinder head was also again changed around 1998 to a lower flowing, but more emissions friendly, design. Engines installed in 1999 Grand Cherokees carried the Power Tech name, which was subsequently passed on to 4.0s in all Jeep models.

The 4.0 engine was in production in North America until 2006, when the Jeep Wrangler TJ was replaced by the new JK design that uses Chrysler's OHV 3.8 L V6. It is foreseeable that this engine may be made for many more years in the People's Republic of China, where a slightly modified version of the XJ Jeep Cherokee with 2.5 and 4.0 engines are still being produced.

Output as of 2004 was 190 hp (142 kW) at 4600 rpm with 230 lb-ft (312 N·m) of torque at 3000 rpm.

This engine is considered one of the best offroad engines ever made. The extreme low end torque is ideal for trailing and rock crawling. The only downfall to the engine is the low power output for mudding applications but this can be fixed with various aftermarket options including a supercharger for the engine. Interchangeability within the late AMC/Jeep engine family is superb. The better flowing 4.0 L heads can easily be modified to fit earlier engines right along with the fuel injection system. The longer stroke 258 crankshaft and rods will drop right in the slightly larger bore 4.0 L block, easily creating an even higher torque 4.5 L engine with the stock bore (4.6 L bored 0.030″ over, and 4.7 L with a 0.060″ overbore). Blocks should be sonic checked for adequate cylinder wall thickness before boring 0.060″ over.

5.7
The 5.7 L Hemi was released in 2002 on the Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks to replace the Magnum 5.9 engine. The buying public was enthusiastic about the engine, and bought Hemi-powered Rams and Dodge Durangos at a significant rate. Chrysler reacted by making the 5.7 L Hemi available in the 2003 Dodge Ram 1500, 2005 Chrysler 300C and Dodge Magnum, and the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

The 5.7 L Hemi in the Ram delivered 345 hp (257 kW) and 375 ft·lbf (508 Nm), but 340 hp (254 kW) and 390 ft·lbf (529 Nm) for the 300C and Magnum. It is a 90-degree V8, 2-valve pushrod design displacing 5654 cc (345 in³), with a bore of 99.5 mm (3.92 in) and a stroke of 90.9 mm (3.58 in).

A new variable displacement technology called Multi-Displacement System (MDS) is used in some versions which can shut off two cylinders on each bank under light load to improve fuel economy.

The 5.7 L Hemi is made at Chrysler's Ramos Arizpe, Mexico Saltillo Engine plant.

The Hemi was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 2003 through 2007.

This engine is used in the following vehicles:

2003-present Dodge Ram
2004-present Dodge Durango
2005-present Chrysler 300
2005-present Dodge Magnum
2006-present Dodge Charger
2005-present Jeep Grand Cherokee
2006-present Jeep Commander

[edit] 6.1
Chrysler has developed another modern Hemi, this time at 6.1 L. The displacement is 370 cubic inches (6,059 cc). The engine is bored-out to 4.1 inches (103 mm), but many other changes were made to allow it to produce 425 hp (317 kW) at 6,200 rpm and 420 ft·lbf (569 Nm) at 4,800 rpm. The engine block is different, with revised coolant channels and oil jets to cool the pistons. A forged crankshaft, lighter pistons, and strengthened connecting rods add durability. A new cast aluminum intake manifold is tuned for high-RPM power and does not include variable-length technology. Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System is not used.

Applications:

2005-present Chrysler 300 SRT-8
2005-present Dodge Magnum SRT-8
2006-present Dodge Charger SRT-8
2006-present Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8 (415 hp/310 kW)
2008 Dodge Challenger SRT-8

[edit] 6.4
Chrysler unveiled a larger 6.4 L (390.6 in³) engine at the 2005 SEMA auto show. This engine puts out 505 hp (377 kW) and will be available as a crate engine. There are no official plans to use it in a production car, though rumors place it as the top engine in the 2008 Dodge Challenger. If it is used in a production car in the future, it might need modifications in order to meet production requirements


[edit] 6.6
Chrysler revealed plans for a 6.6L engine for the 2008/2009 Dodge Challenger as part of a plan to produce a higher-performance limited edition car, which has proven to be very profitable for other makes.

[JimCt]

Reading that makes my hair hurt.

My Cherokee has the "High Output" 4 liter.  Problem isn't the engine but the transmission, I think.  Under a significant load it makes a loud squooooooink noise until I ease off on the gas.  Maybe the torque is just rattling something against the catalytic converter shroud.  Ought to have someone look at it.

[GoneFission]

Could be that - could also be a broken engine mount that allows the engine to move against something it shouldn't.  Engine mount failure is not uncommon.  

If you are not moving the boat long distances, the 4.0 Jeep should be fine.

[JimCt]

Last time I had motor mount let go was in my '63 Comet college car.  Step on the gas and the engine would rear-up...