4WD Part time vs full time
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Rhode Island
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Hi all,
I usually keep my 99' XJ in 4WD Full Time no matter what (when I need 4WD that is). But it is straight up blizzard conditions out right now and I'm going to be driving home in about an hour. Is there any benefit to driving home in 4WD Part Time if there's going to be roughly 6" of snow on the road? Or should I just keep it in Full Time?
I usually keep my 99' XJ in 4WD Full Time no matter what (when I need 4WD that is). But it is straight up blizzard conditions out right now and I'm going to be driving home in about an hour. Is there any benefit to driving home in 4WD Part Time if there's going to be roughly 6" of snow on the road? Or should I just keep it in Full Time?
Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 114
Likes: 20
From: Queensbury,NY
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4L
4wd full time will put power to wheel with least traction. 4wd part time will put power with least traction one front and one rear. I drive in 2wd on the road (slowly) and use 4wd when i get stuck. If i get stuck in 4wd part time, I am waiting for a tow.
CF Veteran

Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 469
From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Full time uses a center differential to allow the front and rear to spin at different speeds, part time locks the front and rear axles together. I never use the full time I run in 2wd then when I need 4x4 I use part time.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,220
Likes: 5
From: Arkansas
Year: 1987 & 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
What i would tell the wife to use.
Makes the NP242 the best case for a family car imo.
My old S15 got put into 4hi one day wife blew the T-5 out of it on dry pavement.
Be safe going home.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 30
From: Detroit, Michigan
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
also, from a guy who drives.in snow a lot. 2wheel drive can be downshifted to straighten your self out when you start sliding or need to brake hard on ice and snow. Check utube. Watch a few vids.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 777
Likes: 5
From: Nolensville, TN
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
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::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Use the full time. Forget fuel mileage which is a moot point anyway. Your safety is more important anyway.
You can just drive, not worry, not take your eyes off the road and be safe.
You can just drive, not worry, not take your eyes off the road and be safe.
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
How much wear is gonna happen and how much gas is gonna be used on a drive home from work?
You could leave it in full time all winter if you needed to.
Where do you come up with this ****?
Last edited by cruiser54; Jan 6, 2018 at 07:35 AM.
CF Veteran

Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 3,636
Likes: 469
From: Southern OH
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee(XJ)
Engine: 4.0
I know its designed that way, but why would you use it on pavement when you don't need to?
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 8
From: Northern New Mexico
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i've never used a 242, but friends have and they just leave it in 4 full time all winter with no worries and have 4wd traction when it's needed without shifting on the fly.
but i just go in and out of 4hi part time on all my 231 cases as i come to drifting snow or clear patches.
so for ease of mind, throw it in 4 full time and forgettaboutit
but i just go in and out of 4hi part time on all my 231 cases as i come to drifting snow or clear patches.
so for ease of mind, throw it in 4 full time and forgettaboutit




