I have a 96 also with the auto shift on the fly option. I have shifted into 4-wheel drive from speeds 20-50 mph for many years now. I have traveled the interstate roads doing 60 in 4x4 with no problems. Even shifting back into 2-Hi you can do at the same speeds. Just make sure the the 4x4 light on the dash goes Off. After shifting in 2-Hi it may take several seconds for the light to go off. Sometimes just taking your foot off the gas and slowing down then speeding up will shift the transfer case into 2-Hi. Only a few times have I had to put the XJ into reverse to shift the gears.

Note about that poster saying drifting in corners is Fun, there is another post about another driver who said the same thing. Until he hit the guard rail and it cost him his whole paycheck to fix the damage. XJ's don't take kindly to rear end sliding with its high center of gravity.

 

I know its got a high center or gravity. I just dont play and drift to where i can hit guard rails or vehicles or poles or anthing.

 

Any way to tell if you have the Full time option?

 

I would assume there would be three different 4wd options on the transfer case lever instead of two.

 

If you have 4wd Fulltime your transfer case shift pattern will look like this: 2wd->4wd FT-> 4hi-> N->4Lo

if you don't have a 4wd Fulltime it'll look like this: 2wd-> 4Hi-> N-> 4Lo

 

Yay! I thihnk I have FT. I have 3 diff 4wd settings, but the first one says 4 part time, not 4 full time. Oh well....S'All good.

 

Do you have two 4wd settings before the Neutral option?

NP242 with 4wd Fulltime option:


NP231 with 4wd Part-time only:

 

shats exactly what it looks like. Only mine looks different because it's a 97. But yezzir, 2 settings before neutral.

 

The first picture is from a pre-97 242, and the 2nd unless I'm mistake is from a YJ with a 231.

 

THis is what ,my center console looks like if it helps.

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...m=170427494296

Ebay auction. here's what I have.

 

Which transfer case is stronger?

 

by New Process' strength ratings the 242 is stronger

 

I live in east ky where we have a lotta snow and i have been driving on ice & snow for 25 yrs and so far not 1 wreck..On flat ground 4hi is fine however going up and down steep grades 4Lo is the best both way's going up or down.If at all possible keep your foot off that brake pedal it will put you in the ditch faster than anything..If you go down a steep grade never shift your transmission even in an automatic,before going down if its very slick i suggest 4Lo and your transmission in 1st gear that way if your on a narrow road and you happen to meet oncoming traffic you can just simply let off the gas and it will come to a stop without hitting the brake..We have many one lane roads here and this happens often..Just keep an even steady speed easy on the gas and never on the brake..Always pick the gear that your going up or down in because sudden acceleration or sudden slowing from downshifting can cause your wheels to break free...Be Safe out there