I just bought a 94 grand. c 5.2 8 cyl. My question is its got two settings. 4 all time and 4 low. Is there a way to kick this thing out of 4 all the time? maybe an actuator? or is this something I have to deal with? It seems like it will just chew front tires not to mention be hard on the axles?

any suggestions is greatly appreciated.

 

Not really, with the transfer case that you have. It does have a viscous coupling, though, so there should be no chewing of tyres or damage to axles. Its how its sposed to be, so shouldnt be a problem.

I know of folks who have fitted "231" TC's to ZJ's, so it is possible to run one in 2WD. Seems like a lotta work for a little bonus. If it aint broke, dont fix it.

 

Bart Let me go a little further with my question. I didnt notice the "scrubbing" or dragging of the front tires when I test drove this jeep I did put it into low range to see that it worked and than back out, now when Im pulling into a parking spot it is hard to turn and feels like I cant cut the wheels.. is this typical of all time 4x4? thanks in advance...

 

Not its not normal I had a GC with a 249 TC once ...the viscous coupling is shot. Unfortunately for you I ditched that truck and never dealt with it so I can;t give much more info on how to fix it. Other will chime in im sure.

 

It does sound as if your viscous coupling has had it.

Find some open ground and do some "figure 8's" That may sort it.

Disconect the front prop, then try the "Parking" thing. If it feels better, its definatly the VC

Failing that, its probably easiest finding someone local who is parting out a ZJ, and getting a new TC.

 

Im thinking that this is the problem. the front tires are worn alot more than the back anyone think the difference in tire tread is enough to mess up the coupling? Also I have access to a yard that has a bunch of jeeps is it a big job? to change out the tc. and is a tc from a 6 cyl compatible with my 8 cly. sorry to be so ignorant on the subject. I just drive them till they die and get a different one. However my other jeep has 178k miles on it and still wont die...

 

It's the VC. I have a 95 and had the same problem when I bought it. I put a 231 in it, and it worked fine for a while. After I broke it in half I opted for a 241 out of a 3/4 ton dodge, solved all my problems. Doing the swap isn't really that hard, it is a direct bolt in. You will have to switch the in put gears though. You will also want to find a 231 the same year as your Jeep, or very close. There was a change in gear cut in 96 and they are not interchangeable. They will go together, but will scream when driven.

 

Sounds like the vc for sure. That thing is like $400. You can easily find another case for less than that. If you don't want to have this problem again get a 242 or a 231.
On the other hand, I have a 249 I just pulled out today that you could get. Nothing wrong w/ it. I just wanted a 231 instead.

 

I have the same problem and to let you know I have took mine to a dealer and they told me not to worry about it that this happens and there is not much to do but change the transfer case but it would happen again and that if i left it alone that there is nothing to worry about but you just have to get use to it.

 

Yep the VC is shop in the T-case...

The swap to a 231 or 242 is very simple..

 

thanks for all the input Im gonna change this thing out cause I am lucky to have a yard less than a mile from me with about 11 of these things sitting in it..

 

Here is a write up on the swap. Its a pretty common thing to do with the 249's. If you have a local pullapart JY you can get a 242 or 231 transfer case for less than $80.
If you can find the same year model as you have it should help.
You can google 249 transfer case swap and bring up many discussions on the swap.

http://jeephorizons.com/tech/tcase.html