Shift into 4 wheel drive

[Virginia]

I don't have the owner's manual. I know that I shift into 4wd while rolling but don't know if I do it with the clutch in or out and while in neutral or not. Anybody?

[Geonovast]

Doesn't matter, you can pop it into 4wd whenever you want, as long as you're not going excessively fast or on dry pavement.

 

Going in and out of 4 Lo, however, must be done in neutral and at a dead stop.

[Eagle]

When shifting into 4-HI on the fly, try to have the throttle at "neutral" when shifting. In other words, don't be accelerating and don't be using the engine for strong compression braking.

[TrailReadyMJ]

As I recall from my last reading, my owners manual says you can engage 4wd at any highway speed! (assuming there is loss of traction).

The highest speed I can recall engaging mine was about 35MPH in the snow, in drive, and it did it SMOOTH.

 

Now, 4lo is a different story, and you do want to be in neutral, or push in the clutch, to engage. You also want to stay under about 5MPH. You will likely have to be rolling a little, there aren't any syncros to line up the gears and they may mesh if not moving a bit.

[89comanchesleeper]

4hi on mjs xjs and some other makes have shift on the fly. just pull it back at any speed. but make sure your back tires arnt spinnin faster then your front tires when u pull it down!!!!. all tires goin the same speed your good for 4hi on the fly

:cheers:

[deziped]

All the preceding advice given is good, however, if you have a Select-trac (242) transfer case instead of the Command Trac (231) there is one slight variable. That is you can shift into 4X4 Hi on pavement in the same manner pointed out in the earlier threads with total disregard for road conditions. Dry, wet or slick conditions don't matter. If you have locking differential in it be careful doing that on slick conditions.

 

Edited: Preceding thread beat me to it. :doh:

[Geonovast]

All the preceding advice given is good, however, if you have a Select-trac (242) transfer case instead of the Command Trac (231) there is one slight variable. That is you can shift into 4X4 Hi on pavement in the same manner pointed out in the earlier threads with total disregard for road conditions. Dry, wet or slick conditions don't matter. If you have locking differential in it be careful doing that on slick conditions.

 

Edited: Preceding thread beat me to it. :doh:

 

You're half right. The 242 has 2 options for 4HI. 4HI Part time and 4HI full time. Full time is AWD, and can be run on anything. Part time is the same as a 231.

[deziped]

Wheeew. Glad we got that ironed out :shake: :shake:

[Virginia]

Excellent. Thanks all. I was shifting on the fly and in gear but wasn't sure it was actually working. We have more snow on the ground today so I'll get to play with it again.

[Eyedive2]

I just go my 88 Comanche running ... it will shift into Lo range but not high range  ?? Any ideas?

[87MJTIM]

First:

 

We need more info about your truck: engine, trans, does it still have the Central Axle Disconnect, what modifications were done by you or a previous owner....

 

Second:

 

Why did you revive an 11 year old thread?  You should have started a new one.

[Eyedive2]

39 minutes ago, 87MJTIM said:

First:

 

We need more info about your truck: engine, trans, does it still have the Central Axle Disconnect, what modifications were done by you or a previous owner....

 

Second:

 

Why did you revive an 11 year old thread?  You should have started a new one.

It’s a bone stock 4.0 no mods...5 speed... I’m new to this site hence I learning about posting questions!

[87MJTIM]

With a helper, get underneath it.  Look at the tcase shifter linkage.  Have your helper shift the tcase from above.  Look for loose or worn parts.

 

Its seems odd that you can get 4L but not 4H.  You have to shift past 4H to get to 4L.  If that is true for yours, then the internal shift forks may not be properly aligned or broken.  The NP231 is a very strong tcase and easily serviceable.  If you are confident of your mechanical skills, you can rebuild it.  If not, watch a bunch of Youtube videos on rebuilding one.  Matt at BleepinJeep has at least one.  Search YT for more.

[gogmorgo]

Are you positive it’s engaging the front axle in low-range? I’d suspect a CAD problem.

[87MJTIM]

Also, complete your profile: Yr, engine, etc.  

 

If you want, give your location (city, state [Provence]), if another CC member is close to you, maybe they could help.

[87MJTIM]

2 minutes ago, gogmorgo said:

Are you positive it’s engaging the front axle in low-range? I’d suspect a CAD problem.

My first thought.  But since he said he get 4L, I eliminated CAD

[gogmorgo]

9 minutes ago, 87MJTIM said:

My first thought.  But since he said he get 4L, I eliminated CAD

The most noticeable aspect of shifting to 4L is the gear reduction, less so the wheels engaging. Unless you’ve got the wheels off the ground or you’re digging two holes in a soft surface it can be hard to tell for sure. Sometimes the lower gearing will give you torque to climb things and make you think it’s engaging the front axle when it isn’t.