91 Cherokee 4x4 problem
 

Hopefully someone can help me. I have a 91 Cherokee with the 231j transfer case. Anytime I put in 4x4 it only shows and goes part time. Everything I’ve seen and read talks about the vaccum acuator or shift motor on the front axle tube. But on my front axle tube there is neither of those along with a bracket or location where it should. Can anyone help me

If you don't see it, then it could have been changed out for a newer axle without the two piece axle shaft. No biggie. I shimmed mine over permanently as do many others

What's the problem? It should say part time when you put it in 4x4. A 91 won't have the center axle disconnect, 90 was the last year for that in the XJ.

Part time means you should only be in 4H for part of the time. Or something like that. Full time is only an option for the NP242 and you can drive it on dry pavement like that.

Supposedly some 91's had it as Chrysler used up the remaining inventory.

Axle disconnect
 

That's what I thought. I have a 91, with a 231. Mine doesn't have the axle disconnect. But I do believe the earlier 91's did have the disconnect. My xj only has the part-time light. It stays on when it's in either 4h or 4l. You can also by-pass the disconnect by removing the guts and getting a solid axle shaft fron a later year and still run your current axle. There might be a kit that can be purchased to seal of things properly (the cost is nominal) Best thing to do is locate a newer axle. They are a dime a dozen.. it's a easy swap is pretty easy.

4x4 light
 

My 91 only has a light thar say part time it lights up when it's in hi and low.

Ok thanks for the info everyone. I’m just new to this situation as I’ve always had a yota with manual hubs for when I wanted to lock axle and have true 4x4 with all tires spinning. So this Jeep thing is new to me so this could be dumb question. So what do I need to do if i wanna get it so the front axle locks so I can have it so all tires are spinning together? My rig is gonna be mainly for off road and wanna try to keep costs down if possible

Once you pull the lever, you've got the front and rear driveshafts locked to the same speed. That's why they call it "Part-time", because you need some wheel slippage when you turn or you'll have a less than fun experience.
If you want to go farther, and upgrade the open differentials, there are all the options, but you won't do well at keeping costs down once you start into that stuff.

The setup is EXACTLY the same as the same year Wrangler as far as transfer case and front axle. It's plenty capable for off-roading as it is..but if you want to upgrade, there are a heck of a lot of options due to the XJ using mostly the same stuff as the YJ/TJ's of the same year.

You need to put lockers in both axles if you want all 4 tires to turn at the same speed, your Toyota did't work that way either unless it had lockers in the axles. Locking hubs and a locking differential are two different things.

Reply. 00t444e
 

Oops sorry your correct. That’s wat I was meaning was how do i get the front hubs to lock so the front 2 tires spin at same time?

That takes either a Detroit True track, selectable locker like Yukon, ARB or Eaton, or an auto locker like a lunchbox or Detroit. Some people weld the spider gears, but I don't recommend that

The front hubs do not lock or unlock. And that has nothing to do with both tires spinning at the same time. That is in the differential.

The front hubs are always locked, no way to unlock them unless you do the hub conversion kit. If you want the tires to turn at the same speed you need to install a differential locker in the axle.

If it's still confusing:

Your Toyota had UNLOCKABLE hubs. That means the wheels can spin independently of the axle shafts when unlocked.
​​​​​​When you locked the hubs in, it's the same as the XJ, which doesn't have unlockable hubs.The only reason manual lockable hubs is desirable is so that you can get better mileage with them unlocked. On my 1981 J10 pickup, the front D44 has manual locking hubs and I just keep them locked. It gets bad mileage regardless.