B2300 towing

scradley · Dec 21, 2010

2 words that shouldn't go together i know haha. So i have a 95 b2300 5 spd with 3:42 gears. Im looking at towing a 2000lb track car on a tow dolly behind it. Already plan on doing a 8.8 explorer diff with 3:73's, new clutch and rear discs from the explorer. Also going to find a tow dolly with brakes on it to help. I figure with car/tow dolly and some tools i'll be looking around 2500lb's behind the truck. You guys think it's do able?

Lifted2x · Dec 21, 2010

I had 89 4x4 with the 2.3 and pulled about the same weight that your looking at and it sucked. I would never do it again, didn't have the power, brakes and it took its toll on the clutch. Plus most tow dollies don't put much weight on the back of the truck so its really going to push the rear end around.

Captain Ledd · Dec 21, 2010

I did this 160 miles across Michigan, including some stints on the highway. Though, it WAS the middle of the night mind you.

Actually this is an early pic, we had my bed loaded up flush with the rails with stuff to take back to college (yes it did help keep this thing from pushing me around), the front end back on the J10, and the bed of the J10 filled with all the other J10/cherokee parts we didn't put back on.

1997, 2.3L, 3.73's, 235/75R15.

2000lb and 3500lb trailer brakes seem to have the same mounting pattern (brakes include a spindle I believe). Still looking at adding brakes to mine, but I want to run a controller.

I tow a lot with mine. A LOT. You should be able to hit 60mph, eventually, and not uphill. Downshift if necessary, even if you let the engine rev up really high, it'll still be easier on the engine and transmission. Leave lots of room. 2,500lbs is not that bad.

strvger · Dec 21, 2010

if you can find an axle with 4.10 gears, i would think that would help quite a bit. letting the gears do more of the work should make it easier on the rest of the drivetrain, esp. the clutch perhaps. most important will be the braking. the manual tranny should help there lots. challenging, but doable for sure.
just my $.02.

TheTopher · Dec 23, 2010

I've got a '95 2.3 myself and the manual says with 4:10 gears 2000lbs is the max recommended towing load. For the 3:45s we have it says "Towing is not recommended" :icon_rofl:

I wouldn't bother too much about getting an 8.8 axle. It wouldn't hurt, but I've found that unless I'm doing something VERY stupid (Which I have not done yet, thankfully) my engine's going to stall way before I start breaking driveline components. I say just focus on those 4:10s

adsm08 · Dec 26, 2010

scradley said:
2 words that shouldn't go together i know haha. So i have a 95 b2300 5 spd with 3:42 gears.

I'm quite certain you have no such thing.

Ford never put 3:42 gears in the Rangers. I don't think anyone ever even made such a ratio.

Captain Ledd · Dec 26, 2010

adsm08 said:
I'm quite certain you have no such thing.

Ford never put 3:42 gears in the Rangers. I don't think anyone ever even made such a ratio.

My friends light 3/4 ton Chevy 2500 Silverado has 3.45 gears in it. I have personally checked. Close, but not 3.42.

I have never heard of a 3.45 offered in Rangers though. Ford's usually just went to 3.55, or 3.31 (sometimes 3.27)

strvger · Dec 27, 2010

1st gen rangers had them for sure. mine did. they are also in the spec book for the '84 models. some of the 4x4 models even came with 3.08's!

TheTopher · Dec 27, 2010

http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/Axles.html

I can't find 3.42s listed anywhere. Nor can I find an online retailer selling 3.42 gears for a Ford 7.5 rear end. I've found a few for Chevy 7.5s though.

Can you maybe post a reference, mate?

scradley · Dec 30, 2010

sorry guys 3:45's. read it wrong.

I've got a '95 2.3 myself and the manual says with 4:10 gears 2000lbs is the max recommended towing load. For the 3:45s we have it says "Towing is not recommended"

ya i have the same manual i got a laugh

Shran · Jan 13, 2011

Captain Ledd said:
My friends light 3/4 ton Chevy 2500 Silverado has 3.45 gears in it. I have personally checked. Close, but not 3.42.

I have never heard of a 3.45 offered in Rangers though. Ford's usually just went to 3.55, or 3.31 (sometimes 3.27)

Old thread, but FYI. 3.45 is pretty common. My '86 came with them, and my '96 has them as well. I have had a few other RBVs with 3.45s as well, but 3.73s have seemed to be the most common.

BRUTUS_T_HOG · Jan 13, 2011

i have 3.45's, its miserable towing over 1000lb

strvger · Jan 17, 2011

^^ x2. that's why i now have 4.56's!

donfordguy · Feb 8, 2011

adsm08 said:
I'm quite certain you have no such thing.

Ford never put 3:42 gears in the Rangers. I don't think anyone ever even made such a ratio.

my 83 had them 3:42 and it says it in manaul

TheTopher · Feb 8, 2011

donfordguy said:
my 83 had them 3:42 and it says it in manaul

Did you really join the forum just to post this?

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