Does towing ruin reliability?

[zukatude]

After my recent HG loss I am wondering if using my 94 for towing is a mistake. I bought it for family wheeling (not difficult stuff) and flat towing my sammi to Moab and trails in CO. Otherwise is gets very little use.

It seems to really labor towing the sammi over I-70, even though it only weighs 2600 lbs. Am I pushing it too hard by towing and asking to blow another HG or throw a rod? Would I be better served and more reliable by getting a 100 series with the much more powerful V8?

I like the good suspension and lockers, but I'd rather have a reliable tow rig that isn't so maxed out and asking for failure.

Thanks,
Paul in CO

 

[CELICA XX]

I am in the same boat.

Looking at an F350, Chevy 2500 or something similiar for towing purposes...

 

[Brentbba]

Knock on wood - it hasn't been an issue with our 3500lb trailer. I've been towing it with the '94 for about 4 years now on all our scout troop outings.

Real knock on wood too! We leave tomorrow at 7:00am for summer camp with the trailer in tow. I better not have just jinxed myself.

 

[KliersLC]

Your new gasket is not prone to failure.

Reliability is not compromised.

If you advance your timing you will see a marked difference towing the zuk.

Everthing will suck wind a little over I-70

You can do a lot of wheeling/mods for the price of a "good" tow rig.....

.02

Dan

 

[Romer]

Towing is not an issue and likely did not cause your HG problem. As stated, the old HG design had some deficiencies which have been fixed.

Just make sure you flush your cooling system every 2 years (I know some insist on every year) and you shouldn't have any issues.

Like stated earlier, with the money you would save not buying another truck, you could do a lot of mods. Like a Supercharger to make the towing over I-70 easier. I just sold my FJ40 and am using part of the money to install one in my truck. The headgasket needs to be swapped before you add this mod, looks like you are already there.