Part Time 4wd models (231 case)

True/False 4wd vs 2wd, the only difference is torque is applied to the front drive shaft from the transfer case.

But the shaft is still connected to the transfer case and just still turns with the front axel in 2wd?

 

yes it turns even in 2wd because there are no Manuel disconnects in the hubs

 

^^YEP!!

 

it my not turn as fast or at all if you have the disco front axle

 

I'm pretty sure its supposed to turn, that way you can shift it in and out of 4wd while the car is moving.

 

X2 %100 correct...Tj

 

on a none disco axle yes they turn

on a disco axle they don't usually tun or not as fast
cus the short shaft is the easiest place for the energy to transfer to


maybe the guys with the disco axle will chime in
but I don't think that system recommends shift on the fly

 

My XJ has a front axle disco and my front drive shaft never turned in 2WD until I installed the front Aussie.

 

Same here- in 2wd the drive shaft doesnt spin

 

I'm not familiar with a "disco" axle. What does that mean? I like learning...

 

Just kidding...


From 1984 to about 1991 the front axle shafts on the Cherokee was two (Actually 3: axle-----diff--axle---split---axle stub) pieces. There was a vacuum actuator doo-hickey on the passenger side of the front axle tube that slid a beefy metal collar on the split axle shaft to fully lock the front axle together. When it was disengaged, it allowed the front differential to spin the spider gears thus not turning the driveshaft.

Chrysler did away with it in 1991 or 1992. Its up to debate really.

The front axle disconnects are prone to failure as they are vacuum actuated and the hoses can rot, come off, tear out or the actuator can leak itself. OR in the case of my 1984 XJ, the metal "fork" that slides the collar breaks and you get to remove the actuator housing and slide the collar over and secure it with a hoseclamp. Thus making the front driveshaft spin all the time like the later years and cause the pinion seal to start leaking due to the front driveshaft not spinning for 25 years. :P

As a PLUS though, you can weld the front diff spider gears and use one of many "Cable Conversions" for the vacuum part and have a cool cheap "locker" for your front axle. This binds BOTH front tires together so that they BOTH get torque at the same time. Used off-road ONLY.

Hope that helps?


Here is a picture kinda.. Its a Ford Ranger but the same Dana axle...

 

You nailed it diskman with one exception- they have 3 pieces. The drivers side is 1 peice like any other-- the pass. side has two pieces.. Nice explanation overall. And thanx for the hood strut write up, i did mine and it works great!!!!!!!!!!!

 

True. It IS 3 pieces. I just forgot to add the first part of the right axle-shaft. I treated it as a unit with the diff. lol.

Great to hear the the hood strut worked! I wanted one for a long time but never got around to doing one. I had 2 struts from my hatch so I figured why not.

 

thanks diskman, that was a wealth of information...now I get to explain that to someone else and sound really smart.

 

my 87 with disco never spun till the aussie locker to....
get the locker!