Hi everyone,

Not sure if I have a problem or just not doing it right. As some of you may already know I am a new member here and new to owning a Jeep.

currently, my 89 Cherokee doesn't seem to want to shift into 4H. It goes into 4L and 2H just fine but not into 4H.

The Jeep didn't come with a manual and I'll admit I'm not sure the proper procedure for shifting it into 4 wheel drive. Do I do it while in motion or do I stop, then shift? I know, real noob question!

if you guys would ever so kind as to share a little knowledge in this area I would greatly appriciate it.

 

you should be able to shift from 2wd to 4H while moving. Check your linkage they can be finicky sometimes

 

I know in my old Subaru 1600 I had to be under 30 MPH to shift on the fly. Does the same rule apply here? Just want to make sure before I try it!

 

I don't know the exact specs on speed. I don't want to give you any wrong information so you might want to search. The fastest I've been going when I've switched from 2 to 4H in mine was at around 50kph (in Canada). As long as you don't try to force it, you shouldn't do any damage. All I have to do is put in the clutch and it'll slide right into 4H.

 

For shifting from 2h to 4h, the jeeps require you to be below 55 mph, but you can do it on the fly. I've found mine engages the quickest if I shift it into 4h and then let off the gas and wait for the engagement light to come on. If it still won't engage, you can come to a complete stop and back up like 10~20ft in reverse with 4h engaged.

 

You are putting your tranny in neutral first right before shifting into 4h?

 

Ok, I thought thats how it was done but I wasn't sure.

 

All I've tried so far was pulling over and stopping and then trying to place it in 4h or 4L.Iit went into 4L at that point but not 4H. I didn't try anything else at that point until I got some more information.

 

Yup it needs to be in neutral to engage properly, you can do it rolling if you'd like just not at more than 25 or 30mph just to be safe.

 

i tried that yesterday and it seemed to go. The first (and only time) I tried it I was stopped and nothing would happen. I couldn't even go anywhere. Thats what made me think I was doing it incorrectly. I wasn't sure so I figured I'd better ask fist before I messed around with it.

Everything seemed fine but I was on the street so I really couldn't tell for sure if it was engaged. It did feel a little different in the way it drove so I'm thinking it was working. I'll have to find some loose gravel or sand somewhere and see if I can get it to spin a little to make sure.

 

i've only ever had to go to neutral to enage 4L. i switch from 2H to 4H (part time and full time - np242) and back again while in drive with no problems engaging. my manual says no problem as long as yer under 50mph. hope that helps....

 

I gave it a try again today and confirmed the 4H is engaging and all is working! w00t! Thanks everyone for the advice, suggestions, and help!