towing

[gumper]

anyone know the towing capacity of the 1991 gmc jimmy with the 4.3L 4 wheel drive and auto trans ??????
thinking about buying a boat and dont want to kill the truck

ps do I need a trans cooler ???

thanks
gumper

[Philo]

Originally Posted by gumper

anyone know the towing capacity of the 1991 gmc jimmy with the 4.3L 4 wheel drive and auto trans ??????
thinking about buying a boat and dont want to kill the truck

ps do I need a trans cooler ???

thanks
gumper

There should be a sticker inside the glovebox giving the towing info.
You should have plenty of power to pull a boat. Of course it cannot be a huge one. I would say a 20' IO would be fine. You must stay within the towing limits for your vehicle (total weight of the towing vehicle plus the boat, trailer, people and equipment). Also, you need to be sure you have a hitch that is strong enough for the boat and that the tongue weight is not too much for your vehicle. I would then watch the water temp for running warmer whild towing. If only slightly warmer, the transmission should be fine. Another thing - while towing, your manual will tell you to use D2, not D1. This is to keep it out of overdrive. It will still use the lockup torque converter though, which is good.

[gumper]

thanks good info
gumper

[mjohn]

Great info...Philo...I learned something I hope to use sometime... :o)

[mjohn]

As long as we are talking about towing...
On my hitch...the square port that you insert part into that holds the ball seems to be collection rust over the winter...Is it good to keep the ball unit in hitch, I am concerned that i will not be able to insert the tongue type part...as it was a tight fit originally...

[Green98Jimmy]

To mjohn
If you want to leave it in you can, but get a locking pin for it. If you don't it WILL get stolen.
To gumper
a tranny cooler would'nt hurt. Probably a good idea.

[Philo]

Originally Posted by mjohn

As long as we are talking about towing...
On my hitch...the square port that you insert part into that holds the ball seems to be collection rust over the winter...Is it good to keep the ball unit in hitch, I am concerned that i will not be able to insert the tongue type part...as it was a tight fit originally...

There is not much you can do about the rust. If you take it out, it will rust. If you leave it in it will still rust, then you can beat on it with a sledge in the spring to get it out. What I do is leave it in, but keep a lot of grease on it, then take it out a couple times a year and grease it more.

[coronaroma]

I wouldn't tow know more then 5,000lb with that truck. you don't need a trans cooler unless you are towing far