Tow Package Bits

Rich · **Posted:** Sun Aug 16, 2009 10:43 pm

My CRD didn't have a tow package installed before me. In my negotiations with the dealer, I got him to order in all the parts needed for the Tow Package installation as part of the deal.

So sitting at the dealer's part room now;
Receiver Hitch
Trans Cooler
Wiring #1
Wiring #2

I am going to be doing the installation myself, and was wondering if any of these bits were factory fit to the '05 CRD Sports? I have above average mechanical ability, so there is no worries about the install, I am just wondering if any of the parts I am getting will be obsolete? I ask this, because the instructions for the cooling set has an electric fan, yet my CRD already has one as a pusher.

DOC4444 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 16, 2009 11:01 pm

Your CRD should already have an electric fan in front of the rad. It also comes with an engine driven metal fan with a viscous clutch which may be weak on your '05 and may stand replacing if you plan heavy towing. (I don't think you would want to use the flex fan that is pictured for a 3.7.)

CRDs came with all the "extras" for towing even if not fitted with a hitch. There are detailed instructions on the "other" KJ site regarding installing the factory tow harnesses and also how to wire in a brake controller (not made easy for us, unfortunately)

DOC

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Sun Aug 16, 2009 11:01 pm

IIRC on the CRD the tow package only consists of the hitch and wiring. The PS cooler and Trans cooler are standard.

Rich · **Posted:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 10:25 am

Thank you for the responses, and I was thinking a lot of these parts were factory, as I saw the pusher electric fan, and the trans/ps coolers on my CRD. Looks like I will have some extra bits to put up for sale!

As for a trailer brake, I don't plan on ever doing any seriously heavy towing. I saved my trailer from the clutches of a scrap yard during my last couple months stationed in Japan. This should be the size of the trailers I will be towing. I have access to a GMC 3500 in the family if I ever need to pull something with heft.

My Japanese Ground Self Defense Force (JGSDF) Surplus Jeep trailer. Towed behind the Mitsubishi/Willie's made CJ-2A used by the JGSDF until about 3yrs ago, then scrapped when the Toyota "Hummer" was brought into mainstream service. The trailer is a Willie's design, mimicking the M100, and the US/Canadian M416's. The Japanese trailer used an opening tailgate, which I personally like better than a floating option.

I need to do some minor repairs and a new tongue arm to get it road legal again, but all in all she is in GREAT shape, and will be perfect for towing what is needed for some comfortable car-camping in the back country. Also will do wonders for hauling around crap that I can't get into my Jeep without destroying my interior.

geordi · **Posted:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:07 am

Why a new tongue arm? That pintle ring is strong enough for 5 times whatever that trailer could hold unless you filled it with cement. I've got a pintle for hauling big generators with my CRD, and I love it. SO much easier to lock in a trailer than with a ball, the target is HUGE by comparison.

Rich · **Posted:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:16 am

geordi wrote:

Why a new tongue arm? That pintle ring is strong enough for 5 times whatever that trailer could hold unless you filled it with cement. I've got a pintle for hauling big generators with my CRD, and I love it. SO much easier to lock in a trailer than with a ball, the target is HUGE by comparison.

The pintle is going to stay, I got the hook from the JGSDF Jeep, just so I would have a matching part for the trailer. If you look close at the far tongue arm, you will see a 6" section of daylight. To make it "scrap" they cut a chunk out at the auction yard.... that is what needs repair.

Sir Sam · **Posted:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:41 am

Rich wrote:

geordi wrote:

Why a new tongue arm? That pintle ring is strong enough for 5 times whatever that trailer could hold unless you filled it with cement. I've got a pintle for hauling big generators with my CRD, and I love it. SO much easier to lock in a trailer than with a ball, the target is HUGE by comparison.

The pintle is going to stay, I got the hook from the JGSDF Jeep, just so I would have a matching part for the trailer. If you look close at the far tongue arm, you will see a 6" section of daylight. To make it "scrap" they cut a chunk out at the auction yard.... that is what needs repair.

Yes I see what you mean, should be easy to weld in a new piece.

Also, I have a CRD Hitch and trailer wiring available. Let me know if your interested in used parts.

Rich · **Posted:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 11:59 am

Sir Sam wrote:

Also, I have a CRD Hitch and trailer wiring available. Let me know if your interested in used parts.

Don't need the used pieces, but thank you for the offer. I negotiated the whole tow package into the sale price of my CRD. So shy of my fuel to go get the parts, and my labor, I got the tow package for free. For some reason, diesel powered small things don't sell well in that area of MN.... and they REALLY wanted out of it. Lucky for me!

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 12:50 pm

I never had a disillusions about the added cooling capacity of my Extra Deep PML pan, but when towing, my trans temp stays at or below 140f to 150f even in hot weather.
The only time the trans temp got up to 180f is when I was stuck in a hot weather inch and go traffic jam for over a half hour.
From what I can figure out the fins on the Extra deep PML pan supplement the trans cooling enough for now for towing in the Midwest, when it does not provide enough and I go up to 180f towing, I have a fancy plate type cooler to add on.

RTStabler51 · **Posted:** Mon Aug 17, 2009 1:25 pm

warp2diesel wrote:

I never had a disillusions about the added cooling capacity of my Extra Deep PML pan, but when towing, my trans temp stays at or below 140f to 150f even in hot weather.
The only time the trans temp got up to 180f is when I was stuck in a hot weather inch and go traffic jam for over a half hour.
From what I can figure out the fins on the Extra deep PML pan supplement the trans cooling enough for now for towing in the Midwest,

Same here. I almost 160 last week through the stop and go Chicago traffic towing the SVO.

Rich · **Posted:** Wed Aug 19, 2009 11:50 pm

I picked up my parts today and got the ones I needed installed. The wiring was plug-n-play with the existing wiring in the truck. Only required removal of the right rear plastic paneling to access the plugs. Wiring even came with a grommit installed to keep the elements out of the back of my Jeep. IF you are planning to install a tow kit, fork out the extra cash and do it with the Mopar part... it is worth every penny.

The cooling fan kit I have is for the V6, as the CRD already has the kit installed. Now it is for sale.

When I had the paneling pulled out for the wiring, I noticed there is a black box, about 6x7x1" sitting in the fender area just above the chassis vent filter. Does anyone know what this little black box is?

Tow Package Bits

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