[boots4]

If you decide to use the 60 then I agree an engine swap will make pulling more enjoyable and get you better mileage when empty. For cheap it's hard to beat a v8 swap and if using an auto make sure you plan in a tranny guage and cooler. You'll know then if you can push it harder or need to back off.

For stopping I think a good combo is 4runner front calipers with some variety of rear disc. If you do an engine swap and/or switch over to a saginaw steering pump then replacing your vacuum booster with a hydroboost unit will get you some great stopping power. You'll need to match the right size MC to get the best out of your better braking system. Make sure your springs are good (no cracks, not sagging), bushings are tight, have a real hitch, steering is strong, and general maintenance is caught up. All that basic stuff you probably already know about. With the right setup I think the 60 is a better choice to pull double duty since most of the time it sounds like it will be a DD.

[ntsqd]

Originally Posted by GLTHFJ60

Suburban wheelbase = 129"
60 wheelbase = 107.5"

Fixed it for you if referring to the 73 to 91's.
I've got such a Sub that I need to sell. PM me if anyone is interested.

[TrickyToy]

I can not tell you what you could/should do.....
I will tell you that I tow with my 94 FZJ80 and have no problems. I use my head when towing, allow extra space/stopping room and allow extra travel time.

With my 80 I have towed my 14' hardsided Jayco pop-up. It weighed in around 2000lbs empty. I never weighed it loaded but with me, my wife, our 4 kids and all our gear...it was pretty heavy.
Power was no problem and neither was braking. The pop-up did not have brakes...

We now have a 21' travel trailer w/brakes. It weighs 3,750lbs empty again I'm not sure what it weighs with my faimly and our gear but way more than the pop-up.
Power still not really and issue but I can tell its back there for sure. I feel with the camper having trailer brakes that the braking has improved. I still leave plenty of extra stopping room.

I also tow a 10' utility trailer with 5 kayaks/canoes and my 14' fishing boat with my 80 and can't even tell they are behind me, heck, the gas milage stays the same.

Before I had my 80 I towed with my 01 F-150, 5.4 V8 supercrew, it had trouble with this hill (up & down) so I was a little scared with the 80 but it did a better job then the ford.





Here is my current camper.



Before I had my current 86 FJ60 I had a bone stock 83 FJ60 with beat springs. I pulled my 14' boat and my 10' utilty trailer (no..not at the same time. lol) back and forth to my cabin (2 hour trip one way) a few times, no problems with power or braking.
I don't think I would try pulling the big camper with my old 83 or 86 FJ60, not worried about brakeing I just think the power would be lacking on the hills.
I will continue to tow with my 80 untill we buy a sequoia for towing.

There is my limited 'towing with a cruiser' knowledge.

[Off Duty]

I'm in a similar spot and for the time being, have decided to forego the cost of a late model F150/250 or a Dodge Ram, and focus on the cruisers abilities and shortcomings.

As part of a marine rescue unit and a small boat contract instructor ot the gov't., I have need on occasions to tow the following:

Airboats up to 16-20'
HydraTrek amphibious vehicle
Fixed hull vessels up to 26' (most 19-22' loa).

Since I'm not in the mountains, I'm not too concerned about the hills. MOst of the areas we're likely to be depolyed (under FEMA or EOC) are going to be relatively flat (oh, and under freaking water!).

I need the ability to haul the load, potentially down soft roads, definately over highways and hard roads, and to do so in relative comfort so I'm not beat to death before we start!

IF I do most of the work myself, shop smart and take my time, I can upgrade the interior to F250 level without much issue (if that's what I want), swap engines for a deisel or V8 (most likely an LSx since they're relatively cheap and plentiful), and change over the braking system to the aforementioned systems, all for less than buying a new truck!

Now I know, the new truck would be, well, new...but....this ones paid for, if push became a shove, I can pack out in it (may not be facilities where we go for a few days or a week), andcarry everything I need in the security of the truck (no topper required), and no need to get out of the truck to crash out in the back.

When not towing, I'll still have a unique rig, a great trail rig (for what I'd use it for) and something that I can take to the beaches, the mountains (not necessarily with a trailer, but maybe?) and camping if I so desire. Can pack the canoee, rubber boats, etc on the top and still have great room for 5 passengers easy


Some will still say that it's still and "old truck" and they'd be correct, to a point.

I've spent a lot of time recently on several diesel forums, and so far, I'm not all that impressed with the Powerstroke (Ford) and the Dodge lacks creature commforts and has trans issues!

The damed PS and Dodges are breaking and leaving people stranded and sure, the LC can do the same.

That said, why not invest in a known and get something yoiu can depend on (oh, and can still work on if necessary?)

JUst my $.02 on the matter.

[Elbert]

Originally Posted by TrickyToy

I can not tell you what you could/should do.....
I will tell you that I tow with my 94 FZJ80 and have no problems. I use my head when towing, allow extra space/stopping room and allow extra travel time.

With my 80 I have towed my 14' hardsided Jayco pop-up. It weighed in around 2000lbs empty. I never weighed it loaded but with me, my wife, our 4 kids and all our gear...it was pretty heavy.
Power was no problem and neither was braking. The pop-up did not have brakes...

We now have a 21' travel trailer w/brakes. It weighs 3,750lbs empty again I'm not sure what it weighs with my faimly and our gear but way more than the pop-up.
Power still not really and issue but I can tell its back there for sure. I feel with the camper having trailer brakes that the braking has improved. I still leave plenty of extra stopping room.

I also tow a 10' utility trailer with 5 kayaks/canoes and my 14' fishing boat with my 80 and can't even tell they are behind me, heck, the gas milage stays the same.

Before I had my 80 I towed with my 01 F-150, 5.4 V8 supercrew, it had trouble with this hill (up & down) so I was a little scared with the 80 but it did a better job then the ford.





Here is my current camper.



Before I had my current 86 FJ60 I had a bone stock 83 FJ60 with beat springs. I pulled my 14' boat and my 10' utilty trailer (no..not at the same time. lol) back and forth to my cabin (2 hour trip one way) a few times, no problems with power or braking.
I don't think I would try pulling the big camper with my old 83 or 86 FJ60, not worried about brakeing I just think the power would be lacking on the hills.
I will continue to tow with my 80 untill we buy a sequoia for towing.

There is my limited 'towing with a cruiser' knowledge.

Can you maintain the speed limit on steep grades, pulling that large camper, going up-hill? What about going down the steep grade...does the trailer get "squirley"...

Seems like the wind would really do a number on the LC at hwy speed with that larger camper, just on flat ground.

What kind speeds are you towing at with the larger / heavier stuff?

[cruiseninak]

When I am away for a few months I put my vehicles on garage status. Cost about $10 a month. You are still insured and can drive 10 miles per month for an oil change preventive maintiance check with your insurance they may be different. And you can return to what ever you previous coverage was with a phone call. If you are not planning on driving the ford for a few months this may be a very good option for you.

[ginericLC]

I sent him a PM but I'll post it here I guess as I think there are a lot of people speculating what will and won't work. I've tried almost everything people have suggested. And as far as terrain, I'm in Idaho and we have flats and we have mountains both, but all are at elevation. When I think of towing a buggy I think of taking it to destination that will have hills and curves and bumps along the way. It isn't going to be flat interstate where I take an exit to a parking lot to unload.

I would say you will be disappointed towing with either a v8 60 or an 80. I've done both I had a 85 FJ60 with a 350TBI Ranger Underdrive and H55f 5 speed and a 94 FZJ80.

The problem for the 60 wasn't a matter of not having the umphh to tow. I was towing a 4000 lb horse trailer. It was how the vehicle handled. With such a short wheel base it felt like the trailer was driving the Cruiser versus the trailer being pulled by the Cruiser. And I had trailer brakes and I tried a variety of different loading configurations. It is real easy to shift weight with horses. I even upgraded to OME heavy (actually the heavy plus one) springs and it still wasn't much better.

The 80 doesn't gain you much in wheelbase. But I found that I could get a coil to ride a little bit better. Another trick is to add the airbags inside the coils for towing. The 80 is only 212 hp and 275 ft/lb of torque. The auto tranny is very durable but it is not efficient. Neither is the fulltime 4wd transfer case. I see that you have plans of putting in a manual. Have you looked into cost? I would estimate that by the time it is all said and done you will be north of 3k to add a manual tranny. For a short while I ran with hubs on my 80 and locked the center diff making it rear wheel drive only. It did get better mileage but it handled terrible in comparison to the fulltime 4wd. The front end was really unbalanced and the steering was quirky. Even towing our less than 2k pound camper trailer in the mountains with the 80 became a chore. It just didn't have the umphh to make it worthwhile.

My advice to you would be to buy a 2 wd pickup to tow with. Nothing fancy but something reliable. You could buy the pickup about as cheap as putting a V8 in your 60 (I had over 5k in receipts and I used a used engine) or putting a manual in an 80. There are many times I wished I had gone this route.

I now drive a UZJ100. And it tows significantly better than either the 60 or the 80. The insurance is outrageous and it is 99. It doesn't get great mileage (neither the 60 or 80s did either). And I would say the 100 tows fine on flat ground, I've towed a few 80s on trailers and a few 60s/62s on trailers with it as well as our horse trailer. But when you get to the hills even with trailer brakes it gets pushed. I don't think it is a weight issue as I'm guessing my 100 goes over 6k how it is set up, but I think it is still a wheelbase issue.

My advice would be to leave your 60 alone if you like it and buy a cheap pickup to leave parked most of the time run liability only insurance on it and use it to tow.

[cavemancaleb]

I have an idea. As long as you only need the tow rig to tow the zuk buggy. You should sell both the ...dare i say it.....ford, and the zuk. Build the 60 into a DD/expedition/wheeling rig. It would drive itself comfortably to any trail, do any trail, and be a wicked fun DD. Sure you couldn't do HARD CORE wheeling anymore, but the other weekend when i dragged the side of my mini truck across a boulder i realized something. I realized i liked just regular mild trail adventure expedition type wheeling way better. So, sell both the zuk and the truck that shall not be named and keep, build, and DD the 60.

[TrickyToy]

Can you maintain the speed limit on steep grades, pulling that large camper, going up-hill? What about going down the steep grade...does the trailer get "squirley"...

Seems like the wind would really do a number on the LC at hwy speed with that larger camper, just on flat ground.

What kind speeds are you towing at with the larger / heavier stuff?

For the most part no, I can't maintain speeds up long/steep hills. It not real bad though, I'm still passing truckers. Camper tracks behind the cruiser great.

Wind has not been a problem.

Posted speed limits in town and such. On the highway....some highways around here are 65, I try to keep it around 70 but caught myself cruising with the flow (80+) a couple times on our last trip.