I am going to go see a Jeep Grand Cherokee LTD

[MicahO]

For towing - get a full size, american 2wd van, perhaps a 2wd Sub. Seems (to me) that you're just begging for trouble if you are using a 4wd like that for a tow vehicle. I'd also not use a Rover in that capacity. You mention easy access to parts, can't go wrong with a full size Ford, and you can keep a lot of parts inside and out of the rain. Big Club Wagons are dirt cheap, even just one year old they are something like 50% or more off list, and they tow a ridiculous amount of weight.

As for snow (seeing how you live in Canadia), I've not seen many vehicles that get around in snow, even deep snow, better than my 8800lb GVW Club Wagon with 2 full tanks of gas and chains on the back.

[632 Regal]

Micas on the right track here, I have an old GMC 4x4 full size and used that to tow the racecar around for a few years before the first divorce. It was nice having enough room for all the crap and the ability to tow. The 4x4 option was the greatest thing cause I drive that in the winter when it's not good Bimmer weather, parts are next door, easy to work on if you have to and there pretty cheap these days. Just make sure whatever you get has under 100k miles cause there pretty trouble free till about the 140 mile mark, then its trans and engine time.

[sbcncsu]

Yep, I am going to the dark side...
I realised that the more I invest in the E36 race car... the less it will be driveable on the street.

I cannot afford an X5 to tow the thing... so I have to bite the bullet and buy a Jeep to tow it.

I hate SUV... but knowing the snow in winter, a 4x4 wouldn't be too bad.

I know you all hate me :-( I did think about a E39 740i, but I don't know if that can tow some heavy loads...

Bruno,

I am on my second ZJ (Grand Cherokees from 1993 to 1998). My 1993 went to 160K miles and the current is up to 96K. The current is a 1996 GC Limited V8. It does have quadratrac as do all V8 ZJ 4x4s. There are a couple of weak links in the ZJ.

First is the rear end housing. The Axle is a Dana 44A, the "A" stands for Aluminum. To reduce weight, the center section of the axle is made of aluminum. Due to the heat generated by the diff and carrier rotating, the bearing races become loose and will rotate in the housing, machining away at the housing. It is easily noticed as a roar in the rear.

Next is the NP or NV249 transfer case. To divide power between the two axles a viscous coupling is used. This device works great when it is working properly but really wreaks havoc when it doesn't. It is not a cheap part to replace either with part price from the dealer around $550.

I really like the ride, the performance and the overall quality of the Grand Cherokee. Like I said, this is my second one.

As for towing, the V8 4x4's have a maximum towing capacity with a load distributing hitch of 6500 lb. I have used both of my Jeeps to tow a 20' boat on a tandem trailer. The boat weighs well over 5000 lbs and just shy of 6000. The brakes are barely adequate for that weight but a good set of trailer or surge brakes helps out immensely.

You could pop in over at www.nagca.com or at www.jeepsunlimited.com/forum to gather more information.

If I were you, I would look at the 2000-2002 WJ V8. The WJ uses an engine that is currently being used, the 4.7L V8. It also hides the spare tire under the load floor freeing up gobs of room in the cargo area. The 2003-2004's underwent major decontenting. See www.wjjeeps.com.

HTH.

[Bruno]

[QUOTE=MicahO]For towing - get a full size, american 2wd van, perhaps a 2wd Sub. Seems (to me) that you're just begging for trouble if you are using a 4wd like that for a tow vehicle. I'd also not use a Rover in that capacity. You mention easy access to parts, can't go wrong with a full size Ford, and you can keep a lot of parts inside and out of the rain. Big Club Wagons are dirt cheap, even just one year old they are something like 50% or more off list, and they tow a ridiculous amount of weight.

As for snow (seeing how you live in Canadia), I've not seen many vehicles that get around in snow, even deep snow, better than my 8800lb GVW Club Wagon with 2 full tanks of gas and chains on the back.[/QUOTE

Until I buy another BMW for a daily driver, the Jeep will be my daily driver...
I don't see myself buying a Club wagon... this aren't going to be a car just for the track and pit crew... I will use it maybe three to 5 times a year to tow the race car, the rest of the time it will be my daily driver... I still want to sit my butt in leather seats heehhe

[George M]

bout time you bought American Bruno...LOL. Would much prefer the Range Rover that
Phil posted...I always liked those but probably a lot more long green.
As to the the E-32 750iL pulling the M5...nope. Sorry to disagree with my friend but truth be told the M5 was the mule and the E-32 was the track star.
:-)
George...just got the CD43 installed...yeah baby!....write up coming.

[Unregistered]

remind me not to buy that 735il towing the world around when you pull the backside out of it and want to get rid of her lol..i would not tow a box trailor with a range rover or a jeep ... ever heard of toyota landcruiser??

[winfred]

the only way id tow with a e34/32 would be if i had a euro hitch, that class one trunk floor ripping bumper pulling off piece if **** is about the only thing on the market, about all it's good for is a jetski or lawn mower

[Unregistered]

could be good for a chain saw or go cart as well winfred ....lol

[BigD]

Don't worry guys Will knows what he's doing. The brakes are from an 840 and the hitch is heavy duty and he has a tranny cooler. The load levelling suspension also handles the extra rear weight perfectly. He's been using it for years with 0 problems (towing to all kinds of tracks in the US). I've been in the car several times and the only problem that I noticed is it requires some towing experience and a bit of nerve. We were once driving in hard crosswind and the trailer can have its way with the car.

I would get a DIESEL GMC or Ford truck. Those twin wheel heavy duty Fords can be chipped to run 12s quarters!!! Something stupid like close to 1000 ft lbs of torque. And if you get a GMC with a 350 V8, if anything happens, you go to ANY junk yard, and you have your choice of 50 engines from all kinds of cars.

the only way id tow with a e34/32 would be if i had a euro hitch, that class one trunk floor ripping bumper pulling off piece if **** is about the only thing on the market, about all it's good for is a jetski or lawn mower

[TimGinCentralNJ]

research the transfer case if you get something with quadratrack or whatever they call it, i did a couple in the managers dad's truck, they had a few shitty ones with full time 4wd