96 XJ Cherokee 2 door 4x4
 

I had a question about the 4 wheel drive in my XJ. I'm new to owning the jeep and noticed when I put it in 4 high a light comes on and says part time but I'm unsure as to what part time 4 wheel drive means! Thanks!

There are two transfer case options on the XJ. A part time 4x4 and a full time 4x4. Simply put the full time 4x4 is designed to be driven on dry surfaces while the part time 4x4 is not. Should be a sticker over your visor explaining how to operate it.

the overhead visor is all tore up or id look! It's not in the greatest shape but it runs great. So just curious as to check my understanding a full time is more like the way an AWD 4x4 system works and the part time shouldn't be used in the same way. So only to be used in poor weather conditions?

You got it. But the full time transfer case also has positions for 4x4 lock so there is a difference over the AWD. In any situation where there is a traction problem the part time unit can be used.

The information provided is good - however, to answer your question:

Provided you have the typical 4wd setup in an XJ, you have 4w High, 4w Low and N (plus the 2wd option you typically drive in).

When you engage 4w High, the transfer case engages the front wheels and you're running in 4wd. You only want to engage this when you are driving in slippery conditions, do NOT drive in 4wH or 4wL unless there is an ability for the wheels to slip since the front wheels spin at the same time and turning needs to either slip or allow the wheels to spin at different rates.
You can see this by putting it in 4wd on a paved surface and very slowly driving forward and slowly turning the wheel and you'll feel a tugging.

For the majority of situations, 4wH is what you want to use. I have used 4wL maybe 2x in the 16 years I've driven Jeeps. Of course I never towed anything or did more than light off-road driving.

Another thing to be aware of is that you need to have the same size tires on the front and back when engaging 4wd. If the tire size is different you can bind up the transfer case and if done for long enough will damage it.

Ok that makes sense, that is what mine has is the 2wd 4hi N and 4low and I've noticed the tugging at the wheel in 4wheel drive when turning. If I'm driving on the highway in snowy conditions to help keep control and keep my wheels from spinning is there a top speed I should stick to in 4wd or should I try to limit 4wd as much as possible? Thanks for all the info you'e provided so far!

I think the "official limit" (in other words, what the owners manual says) is 55mph. I've driven in 4wd faster than that, but if it's snowy and slippery you don't want to be speeding anyway since 4wd does nothing to assist in braking. :)

Double post.. I clearly am no good at editing posts on my phone.

4wd will hurt your mpg (which even in 2wd isn't great).
Just put it in 4wd when it's slippery, take it out when it's not and enjoy your Jeep. :)

Don't worry about it - the XJ transfer cases are really durable beasts.

My Jeeps have all been stick shift, so I always push the clutch pedal down when switching. There was a post back where cruiser54 noted the technique for Autos, so I'd double check the best strategy for engaging and disengaging 4wd if you have an auto.

It' a 5 speed stick I always make sure I'm in neutral stopped when I switch. Reason I ask so many questions is it's like a blizzard right now. I got this as a work vehicle a couple months ago and I really like it. Think I would like to do some restoration on it. the bodies kind of rough but the engine seems to run real strong and I love the 2 door look!!

Here's cruiser's info:

Shift it this way:

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.

You throw it into and out of 4hi while it's in gear and moving by just letting off the gas and making the change? I'm surprised that's not hard on things

Yep. Any 4x4 I've ever had works the same way.

Sweet thanks for the info!