Goon1

Hey Guys,

I bought a 1994 Cherokee recently and I am not quite sure what kind of Cherokee I have. My VIN Number is: 1J4FJB8S2RL254291.
I either get quite confusing results on that VIN depending on which site I am searching for it. How can you tell the different models apart. I do have electrical mirrors, manual seats, 4 speakers, a front bashguard and a fuel tank bashguard. I also have a "4.0 Litre High Output" badge on the back which was the badge for the 190HP model I think?

I know that the Up-Country Model came with a 1" lift but to be honest I can't tell whether I the car is lifted or not. What kind of brand was the suspension that came with the lift/non-lift model?

Secondly I am not quite sure what kind of 4-wheel drive system I have.
The drive system lever has the following order: 2WD- 4WD-Part Time- 4 Hi - N - 4 Lo. That would be the NP242 Transfer Case, right?

Now to the problem:
4 Hi works just fine and the green 4WD-sign lights up on the dashboard.
But when I try to shift into 4LO there is quite a bit of grinding noise going on and the dashboard shows "Part Time".

I could not find any information on what the dashboard is supposed to show in 4 Lo. Also is there in indicator for the neutral position of the driveshaft on the dashboard?

I've read some tips for getting the XJ to shift to 4LO (rolling at 2mph while engaging 4Lo or letting the driveshaft rest in N for a couple of seconds and then engaging 4LO) but I have not tried these tips yet.
I know that you are not supposed to drive on dry pavement while 4Lo is engaged but can I engage 4Lo on dry pavement just to try the tips out?

Thanks in advance for your answers
atb
Goon

moparado

Ah a '94 Cherokee, my old xj RIP! It was probably re-incarnated into some kind of rice-burner! lol

If the Tcase shifter does not have a FULL TIME option then you have a Tcase other than a 242 likely a 231 Tcase which is Part Time only 4x4.

I hardly use 4 Lo so i can't remember if there's a dash indication when its enabled.

In addition to not driving in 4low on dry pavement, you also can't drive on dry pavement in 4high-Part Time.

Getting into 4low can be tricky the first time tried. The key is to let the Jeep coast just barely no more than a couple miles per hr. then firmly shift into 4low.

Are you sure thats the correct VIN? Tried it a couple time and got no such VIN.
Maybe someone else here has better luck than me with VIN decoders.

Without VIN specs, if your vehicle has the upcountry package it should have factory skid plates, no rear sway bar, lsd rear differential and about an inch more ground clearance.
Some of the older Cherokees with the up country pkg. have emblems on the driver's side rear window. My '94 did not have the up country pkg. so i can't say for sure.

cruiser54

The 6th digit in your vIN is likely wrong. Should be a number not a letter. I'll bet it's a 5....

Here's how the factory suggests you shift the transfer case and I've been doing this since these things were new and I worked at the dealership. Quoted from the owner's manual. The suggestions in CAPS are mine.

"To engage, shift the transfer case lever from 2H to 4H while the vehicle is moving at any legal speed". I LET OFF THE GAS, THROW THE LEVER, TAP THE GAS AND LET OFF.

4L position: " To engage, slow the vehicle to 2-3 MPH , shift the transmission to Neutral, then shift the transfer lever to the right and pull firmly rearward to 4L".

TO SHIFT OUT OF 4L, SHIFT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL WITH THE VEHICLE STOPPED, SHIFT THE TRANSFER CASE LEVER TO 2H, THEN THE TRANS TO D IF YOU HAVE AN AUTOMATIC, OR INTO FIRST GEAR WITH A MANUAL, AND CONTINUE ON.

Revised 11/20/2014

Goon1

Sorry, there might have been a misunderstanding, to clear things up:
I do have 4WD Full Time but I call it 4 Hi all the time

The VIN is 100% correct. But the VIN seems quite weird to be honest. The 4 is what gets me (1J4FJB8S2RL254291). According to the Jeep VIN guides the 3rd digit shouldn't be a number, right? I have to add that this Jeep is a right hand drive located in Australia, maybe that explains the weird VIN?

I attached pictures of the VIN and the car, maybe this will help

cruiser54

What country are you in?

Goon1

Just edited the post, the Jeep is located in Australia

cruiser54

That probably explains the VIN difference.

shifting the transfer case instructions remain the same.

Goon1

Okay, thanks. What's the type of indicator that will light up when the Jeep is in 4Lo?

Is there any way to find out which model I have besides the VIN?

cruiser54

Part Time.

Generally doesn't matter. Very few differences. Do you have a tach and full gauges?

Goon1

Were there any more gauges than Water temp, oil pressure, fuel, battery/voltmeter, RPM and speed? If not I do have full gauges.

cruiser54

You have them all.

Got a pic of the dash?

Goon1

Taking pictures tomorrow, it's midnight in Australia.

How could I try out 4 Lo without taking the Jeep offroad? I basically just want to try out the method you described without driving longer distances on pavement

cruiser54

any dirt road.

fb97xj1

Swap the B with either of the following and the VIN registers.

2 = SE
6 = Sport
7 = Country

Too many differences in VIN setups over the years, imo. Seems everyone skips right over 1990-1996, too. They show charts up to 1989, then jump to 1997-2001. ???

cruiser54

B=Below the equator.