brantley55

I have a 1997 grand Cherokee limited. When I try to put it into full time 4wd it doesn't work. Here's how I do it. Coast about 5 mph. Put tranny in neutral then pull lever into 4wd full time then back into drive. All while still moving. But when I put it back in drive my jeep acts like it's in neutral and just revs like it's not in gear at all. But when I do the same thing putting it into part time 4wd. It works just fine for part time. Am I doing something wrong?

brantley55

I have the Selec-Trac

So it looks like

2wd
4wd part time
4wd full time
N
4wd low

superbee1970440

Sounds like the linkage is out of adjustment or damaged.

dave1123

What he said. You should be able to shift on the fly at any speed without putting the transmission in neutral. Just let off the throttle and shift briskly. The only time you need to crawl is to shift into low range. I'd be willing to bet your linkage is at fault. Try pressing down on the lever and easing it toward neutral. you should feel it engage full time if the linkage is out of adjustment. DO NOT go all the way back into low range!

Incidentally, part time should only be used on slippery or loose surfaces. Both axles are locked together and drive at the same speed. In full time, there is a differential device in the t/case that allows the 2 axles to drive at different rates. The only problem with full time is if one wheel is on ice, just that wheel will spin. In my opinion, the 242 Selectrac is the best t/case jeep has to offer. It has the least mechanical problems of any. JMHO. The 231 used in the Cherokees is second best because the 4WD ranges are part time only. I drive in full time a lot when you have wind-blown snow in places and bare spots in others. I've shifted to full time at 60 mph just by letting off the throttle and pulling the lever.

brantley55

So if I'm just off-roading and want to engage 4wd for a steep hill. Part time is the way to go?

dave1123

Yup. You can run part time on dirt or loose gravel anytime. The guys who do rock crawling even run diff lockers, but that's slow going.

brantley55

Well thank you for the help man! I appreciate it