~Rules Of Engagement~
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Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 83
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
When is it ok to pull up the lever to put my jeep in 4x4 What I have been doing is stopping/neutral/pull lever for 4x4 And the same to get it out of 4x4.I do not have the owners manual to go by...Thanks in advance
Might be different, but I just let off the gas at any speed, and have no problems with it engaging. I have heard on here that people will stop, engage, reverse about 10 feet, and then go do your thing. It seems like too much effort, but people have said it will engage the 4wd better. Mine will engage as soon as I pull it up, I do not need to back up.
As long as you're not putting it in low while moving, you should not have a problem
As long as you're not putting it in low while moving, you should not have a problem
Might be different, but I just let off the gas at any speed, and have no problems with it engaging. I have heard on here that people will stop, engage, reverse about 10 feet, and then go do your thing. It seems like too much effort, but people have said it will engage the 4wd better. Mine will engage as soon as I pull it up, I do not need to back up.
As long as you're not putting it in low while moving, you should not have a problem
As long as you're not putting it in low while moving, you should not have a problem
Depends on what transfer case you have. For the command-trac, (2WD, 4HI, N, 4LO), you can just pull the lever into 4HI at any legal speed. To release it, just push it back into 2WD. (You may have to let up on the gas momentarily after you move the lever for the shift to happen). To get into neutral/4LO, my manual states that you should have the transmission in neutral, and ideally be rolling 2-3mph, though it will normally work when stopped. Then just shift into drive, and you're good to go. Same with going from 4LO->N->4HI. Just push the lever firmly.
If you have selec-trac, with the full time 4WD capability, its different, though I'm not sure how so.
If you have selec-trac, with the full time 4WD capability, its different, though I'm not sure how so.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 6,989
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From: Oak Harbor, WA.
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter RENIX I-6, DIY Cold Air Intake, 2.5 FM Exhaust, 3 Core Radiator
The word from the factory is that you can go from 2HI to 4HI at 30 mph. I come to a complete stop before shifting into 4WD whenever I can. I ALWAYS come to a complete stop before shifting into 4LO. Sometimes even put the tranny into nuetral, first. Just a few extra steps I take and my rig is at 240K+ and my TC is till working fine.
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Dec 2008
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From: Port Coquitlam, BC, Canada
Year: Sold my 1991 to go to school for 2 years.
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Shift from 2 hi to 4 hi whenever you like pretty much. I always just put the clutch in and pull it into 4hi and the same going back to 2hi. As stated above however, I always come to a complete stop and put it in neutral before going in or out of 4 low
NP231 t-case
NP231 t-case
Selec-Trac newb here. What is the point of PT 4x4 in my Jeep? The manual states to not use it other than short periods. I am coming from a GMC Envoy where PT 4x4 would be preferred over FT 4x4 in condition where it may only be slick/icy in spots vs. the whole road. To clarify my question, when would I ever want to use PT 4x4 over FT 4x4?
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 688
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From: Owensboro, Ky.
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter
Go to google.com and type in great lakes xj .com and then go to tech section... Its at the title... And you can download your service manuel and other stuff too...
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 6,588
Likes: 495
From: Chico, CA
Year: 1986
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.3L with headers and full 3" exhaust system
The New Process transfer cases are designed to be engaged into locked 4X4 at just about any speed. There is a synchromesh in the 208/231 that brings the front drive shaft up to speed before shifting. In the full time cases, the drive shaft is already turning at speed and is just locked. To disengage at high speed, just push the lever into 2WD or part time and let off the gas. This takes the torque off the gears and chain and allows the little spring inside to slip it out. Low range however will need you stopped with the engine off and in neutral or moving slightly with the tranny in neutral because there is no synchromesh to synch the gears.
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Joined: Feb 2009
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From: birmingham,england.
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 ltr
in mine i just yank the lever back [never done it over 20mph though] then blip the throttle on and off and its fine.
little green symbol comes on
and as said before, i always stop,netural before engaging 4low
little green symbol comes on

and as said before, i always stop,netural before engaging 4low
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
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From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
in my tj, i just let off the gas, push in the clutch and pull the lever into 4hi at speeds up to 100kph.
but for 4lo, i will slow down, sometimes roll to a stop and do the same.
to take it out of 4wd, i just simply just roll with the clutch in and put the lever in 2hi.
in the xj, i do the same, but put the auto tranny in neutral and do the same.
but for 4lo, i will slow down, sometimes roll to a stop and do the same.
to take it out of 4wd, i just simply just roll with the clutch in and put the lever in 2hi.
in the xj, i do the same, but put the auto tranny in neutral and do the same.
People on there say people prefer the Selec Trac option of Part Time 4WD becasuse they can "set and forget". Yet the owners manual states that PT 4WD is for "temporary" use only vs. using FT 4WD for prolonged driving. Confused...
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