using a 1999 jeep Cherokee as a toad

[seadragonfla]

I just stepped up from a trailer to a class A motorhome and need to get a Toad. A friend has offered me his 1999 jeep Cherokee 4x4 with automatic. From what I have read I should be able to tow it flat. Has anyone had any problem with this being towed.
I am planning on adding a ready brake to the jeep,

Thank you
Howard

[vsheetz]

It will tow great - Jeeps are easy to flat tow. Put the transfer case in nuetral - this disconnects the axles, driveshafts, etc. from the transmission/engine. If automatic trans, put it in in park, If manual, any gear.

Tow-bar (I use a simple fixed A-frame from Reese), brake system (I have a Brake Buddy), lights (I just use the add-on magnetic lights), cables or chains - and you are good to go.

[Submustang]

Towed one all over the place. Ours was about 3900lbs, so make sure you have at least that in towing capacity. Some class A's are close to over loaded coming off the assembly line.

[JimM68]

a GC of that year should be a great tow.

It has to have the right transfer case though, there were a few options, but the majority do have the right one.
QuadraTrac 2 all wheel drive will have a big ole transfer case lever next to the gearshift, labelled 4 Hi, neutral, and 4 lo. This is the one you want.

[daveshan]

If it's a Cherokee they only came with either the NP-231 (2wd-4hi-N-4low) or NP-242 (2wd-4Part time-4full time-N-4low) transfer cases, either can be put in neutral and towed easily. The Grand Cherokee did have other options one of which is a full time TC that can not be towed.

The '98-99 model year was arguably the best years for the XJ.

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by daveshan

If it's a Cherokee they only came with either the NP-231 (2wd-4hi-N-4low) or NP-242 (2wd-4Part time-4full time-N-4low) transfer cases, either can be put in neutral and towed easily. The Grand Cherokee did have other options one of which is a full time TC that can not be towed.

The '98-99 model year was arguably the best years for the XJ.

Agree on both points.

[seadragonfla]

Thanks Everybody your great information has made me happy with the jeep. It does have the big lever with Natural .. when I put it in 4hi a light come on the dash displaying part time.. I will pick the jeep up wenesday and then work on the base plate , tow bar, braking and lights..
Thanks Again
Howard
2004 national, seabreeze LX on workhorse W-22

[daveshan]

I hope you'll love yours as much as we love ours (I have a built '98 and my wife drives a mostly stock '00) When we bought ours I did a "year zero" on them, basically change all fluids including trans and coolant, new battery in each, new coolant hoses, inspect/replace water pump, change all head/tail/turn bulbs, inspect all U-joints etc. There is also a small breather hose on the valve cover near the firewall that will get clogged and cause oil leaks and oil on the air cleaner, cheap part and easy to replace.

I have several friends with XJs that have over 250K miles on the original engine/trans they will literally go forever if maintained and are a great toad.

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by seadragonfla

Thanks Everybody your great information has made me happy with the jeep. It does have the big lever with Natural .. when I put it in 4hi a light come on the dash displaying part time.. I will pick the jeep up wenesday and then work on the base plate , tow bar, braking and lights..
Thanks Again
Howard
2004 national, seabreeze LX on workhorse W-22

Do be aware this 4x4 is a part time system - meaning it is not to be used on hard surfaces, off-roading loose surface only when in 4x4 high or low.

[AdamB]

I just got a 97 Jeep Cherokee Sport 4x4 myself about 3 weeks ago to use as a toad so I'm in the middle of finding all the right parts too. It seems to be the perfect low-budget toad for our family. So far I've located a used set of Roadmaster baseplates and a used Roadmaster Blackhawk 2 All-Terrain tow bar through craigslist. I think I'm going to go with a new Readybrake surge brake. As for brake lights, I'll just use my magnetic tow lights until I get some time to add some additional LED bulbs in the Cherokee light housings (if there's enough room) and run a wire to the front of the Cherokee.

The Cherokee is clean and everything works (I need cruise control and A/C!!!). But there are leaks and most of the front suspension needs work. Jeeps are notorious for "death wobble" from worn suspension and steering components. Mine is a little bit shaky, but not deathly yet. I've done a little bit so far including new shocks all around, new sway bar links and bushings, new wipers, cap & rotor, plugs, air filter. I have a new steering stabilizer and track bar, but when I went to install them, I saw that I'm going to have to replace all the tie rod ends and upper and lower control arms. So I'll wait until all the parts arrive from Amazon so I can do it all at once. I'm using Moog parts all around as far as steering and suspension components are concerned.

Keep us updated on your progress!

[seadragonfla]

Well I am almost ready for my first test tow. I purchased a Demco Commander tow bar and Base plate. I have installed the base plate and just have to trim the air dam. For braking I am using an RVI brake and have installed the brake a way plug. For lights I have purchased a tow daddy kit and will be installing it next week. Adam B , Like you I had to do some work on my 99 Jeep , new shocks, cap , rotor and plugs. An oxygen unit , my front end does not wobbly ... thankful-lee. Good luck and Straight towing.
Howard

[Jon Mopar]

Jeeps make awesome toads!....nothing tougher. The "death wobble" thing is more an issue with Wranglers, but applies to any 4x4, from F-250s to Chevy Tahoes etc. It applies mainly to 4x4s with either very worn front end components or with larger than OE tires and sketchy lift kits. I've experienced it while driving my friend's 05 Wrangler Rubicon. It had all of the above issues wrong with it (big tires, spring spacers and worn out everything), but was easily remedied. When it happened, I just slowed down and pulled over. It drove perfectly find at around-town speeds while having this problem, just couldn't go on the freeway.

my Jeep has 31'' tires and has never had the problem ever...and it has 178k miles

[John Hilley]

For lights I have purchased a tow daddy kit and will be installing it next week.

Looking at their WEB site I couldn't find a model number for the Cherokee, which model number did you order?

[seadragonfla]

for the 1999 jeep you have to use the universal one part number 10,000. They don't make the plug and play for a lot of the older ones. It took me about 1 and half hours in my drive way. works good.

Howard
2004 National Seabreeze LX
1999 Jeep Cherokee 4X4