with the transmission on the 4x4 and its gearing of 2.72:1 can a Liberty theoretically tow alot more than 5,000 lbs in this gearing? I am not going to do it, I was just curious. And do you suppose one can brag about KJ's and other jeeps having all that power when the gearing multiplies its torque?

Just a nice bragging point for KJ's when I worked for the Dodge dealership my KJ became the tow truck for cars and trucks that got towed in and were too darn far to push into the bay. I would pull, on nearly a daily basis, neons all the way up to quad cab dually Ram 3500 desiels with not even a hic-up. The KJ can pull alot more than what they are rated at. And w/ the transfer case that these have it's a 4:1 ratio. So as far as I know, and I could be wrong, that multiplys the torque by 4. Therefore by that example the KJ's have roughly 800fps of torque. Now if I'm wrong someone please correct me so I don't sound like a dumb.... to anybody else.

Parakeet

P.S. If your anywhere close to eastern KS come on out to KS Rocks on the 7th there are going to be a few lost members there wheeling w/ me.

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Oh MAN I got NATURE on my Jeep.
05 KJ Renny that took the bad economy bullet

89 XJ that thinks tax time is Christmas

I will have another KJ I promise.

Technically, 235lbs max torque times 2.72 x 3.73 x 2.84 (1st gear) gives you like 6771 ft-lbs of torque to the wheels. Subtract 20% for drive train loses 5416 ft-lbs. Now with a load the tires probably have an effective radius of 14" (for 245/75/16) so that gives you about 4642 ft-lbs of torque delived to the ground.

Sure, you probably could tow more than 5000 lbs, but torque isn't the only thing involved in towing. Let's not forget the design strength of the drivetrain - Xfer case, UJ's, and axles - nor the strength of the stock hitch.

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JW
'05 DK Renegade
OME HD, 255x70 BFG AT's
Moog LBJ's
CJ > XJ > KJ

I have moved 8000 pounds with my KJ. If it's on wheels, your KJ can probably move it on flat land. Many people think that at 5000 pounds, their vehicle can not move with any more weight. It is do-able, but not a good idea. 4Lo is for crawling slow, not towing!!!!

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'02 KJ Sport V6 4x4
3/8" Clevis lift
Rusty's 2.5 lift
255/70/R16 Fleet Farm All Terrain (yes they work)
Class 3 hitch
Hellas
Police Scanner/CB radio
LOST #: JH061986

Also can the Trans keep its cool and will the brakes stop safely enough. My old F-350 had the same engine that you could get in a F-450 all the way up to a F-750. It's just that the stock truck couldnt tow it safely with out problems.
Skymech

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2006 Renegade Dark khaki 4X4
Bridgestone P245/70/16 Dueler Revoes
Alpine, JL Audio, XM
Mopar light bar, full skid plates
BDS 2" Lift
In the works :roof rack, and lots more!!!!!

Even in 2 wheel drive, your KJ (especially CRDs) can tow a lot more than it's rated for. There are people all over the nation towing 35,000 - 40,000 lbs. with Dodge trucks that are rated for 15,000 lbs. Who knows what kind of weight the KJ could actually tow on a trailer...maybe even 20,000 lbs.

The problem is...as someone pointed out...once you get past the 5,000 lb. safe limit you start putting too much stress on the vehicle's drivetrain. And if you had to make an emergency stop you wouldn't be able to. So no, even though you can tow many time more than the recommended capacity, that doesnt mean you ever should. But of course...you guys all know this.

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2005 Stone White KJ Limited CRD 4x4
Off-Road Pkg
Trac-Lok
Emu 790s/948s
Skyjacker H7088s rear/Bilsteins front
15x7 Black Rock Lobos/31x10.50 Firestones
GDE HOT Tune + TCM Tune
Euro TC
CB radio
Thrush Turbo muffler
AEM DryFlow filter

We pulled a Firetruck out of a field with a 4.0L TJ. The Truck got stuck while some bright Fire fighter tried to turn it around in a soft field. Truck was loaded with 1000 gal. of water. that is about 8400-8500lbs just in water and that was with a bone stock 4.0L TJ. I have pulled a Ford F450 with about 250 gal of water in the tank up hilll and over some brush that it could not back over with my CRD Libby. (Same Fire fighter driver. He can no longer drive.) CRD is GRRRREAT Love it.

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O|||||||O

LOST #-169388
'79 CJ-5
32x11.50x15
304 V8

'08 Chevorlet HHR
Victory Red
Stock for now.

Keep in mind I stated im not interested in attempting it and just thought it was cool bragging rights to have that much power withthe gear ratios. Well except mine as it is a 2wd