How come it's 3 and 12 rather than 1 and 2?

 

Cause Chrysler/AMC sucks and they made it that way...
1-2 will shift to 2nd at ~4800rpm.

Im assuming you have a 92, Judging by your username? (see mods, this is why we need the dropdown box!)
If so, you can do a shift mod pretty easily to lock it into 1 or 2.

 

I have a 96, actually. Born in 1992 haha. But I didn't really wanna do any mods to my trans, just because I don't feel too comfortable with it. Snowboarding season is back and driving down a mountain in low gear had me concerned. I probably won't hit 4800rpm anyways, but if you have any other suggestions, that'd be great.

I just don't want my trans shifting gears when i'm rolling down an 11% grade on ice and snow with 2wd. I'd like to keep it locked to 1st as much as possible. Shifting means a chance of slippage.

 

Its just 1 or 2 switches wired into the TCU wires. Not hard, easy to undo, lots of people do it. I had it on my old 89. A 96 may throw a code when you flip the switch, but after you restart it itll go away.



Dont mind the axle whine...

 

I don't even know where the TCU is located exactly. And I can't even tell what's going on in that video o_O sorry.

 

I didnt do much explanation, was just showing the switches mainly... You can hear the engine speed change when the switches are turned on. The lights come on when there is power to the solenoid.

TCU is on passengers side, if you wrap your hand around the bottom of the dash you can feel the box.

Here is a writeup, I did the switches a little different.
http://www.greatlakesxj.com/tech/aw4shiftmod.html

 

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/dec...105739/index2/

There is also a link in post #24

 

I appreciate all the info fellas but electrical wiring just is not my forte. i'll just keep an eye and make sure I feather my brakes if I get too close to 4800rpm haha.

 

I really like it. Instead of keeping it over 33 and worrying if it's gonna kick down into first and skid, I can just relax and concentrate on pegging dinner.

 

Yeah, if I ever got it up into 2nd coming down the mountain i'd feel like I was in trouble. But 33 is fast as hell for this mountain in perfect conditions, let alone snow, ice, and loose gravel. 15mph is the max I really plan on doing once winter really shows up. Steep *** curvy mountain road with idiots going both ways is already asking for trouble.