Just got a 1987 2dr Cherokee to build a trail truck to take the family out in. Here's my lame question- My Dad had a CJ7 and when he took it out of 4wd he would have to Back up to disengage the front axle, Do I need to do anything like thet on my 87 4.0, w/5spd? I searched the forum but couldn't find the answer. Any help would be great.

 

YES

 

not that I know of, but when you do try and switch back to 2wd, idle foward in gear, throw it in neutral and when its still rollin switch it to 2wd.. then put it in gear and drive home.. Its also harder to switch from 4wd to 2wd on more solid ground, so try to do it in somewhat of a soft area.. if that helps..

 

it will disenge quicker if you do back up about ten foot.

 

should you be rolling when you do this? and will it work for automatic aswell?

 

Thanks I'll try both.

 

Come to complete stop put it in 2wd and back-up then stop and go forward home.

 

ill try it next time, thats a nice trick to know, even if both work its nice to know other little tricks too..thanks

 

if you have to back up to get your jeep out of 4wd i think you may need to start rebuilding

 

thats what i was thinking, somethang ant right if you have to back up to get in 2wd

 

i'm not sure on 87, but all my xj's since 90, and all my jeeps since are shift on the fly. its actually designed to shift while moving forward at "any legal speed" is how most owner's manuals put it. the best thing to do is read the owner's manual, but mine have always shifted fine. i usually do it at a slower speed 10-30 mph, but never have to back up or anything.

4low is obviously different.

 

More then likely, it is just time to check the linkage.

You shouldn't have to backup to get it back into 2wd.

 

I have seen new vehicles where you have to back up a few feet to get the front to unlock so to speak. Every four wheel drive I have drove has done the same thing now they will come out if you don't back up but It just doesn't take as long if you do.

 

mine disengages when i shift out of it. just have to take your foot off the gas for a second and it disengages

 

cant you just pull the lever into 4wd.. then put it back in 2wd(from a dead stop)... thats what i do.. i dont pull forward, or back up...

and also.... light comes right on when i put it in 4wd, and when i take it out and put it back in 2wd the light goes right off...