I have done some research and I know that the linkage binds and rusts so it can make it difficult to shift to 4Lo. We just bought this jeep two weeks ago and I haven't been able to get it into 4Lo yet. We were off roading today and tried to reverse out of a trail and the front wheels weren't spinning but the backs were. I also noticed the wheel indicator lights only show that the rear tires are green (lit up). I thought I read some where that 4x4 only works on these in reverse if you are in 4Lo. Is that correct? The front tires were spinning going forward just not backwards.

Also does anyone know what the ratio difference is between 4x4 hi and Lo on a 94 Grand Cherokee with the 5.2L V8 in it?

 

I cant imagine why 4WD wouldnt/shouldnt work in reverse

 

Hmmm I gotta get this figured out.

 

Well the linkage just needed to be broke free. The person before us never used 4LO so it was rusted solid. After wire wheeling it and PB Blaster she broke loose and shifts super smooth now. But the bushing is worn out and causes slop so sometimes I have to shut her off crawl under her and just give the lever a little nudge to lock it into 4LO before we start our day of wheeling. All has been well except for breaking a front hub and half shaft. Check out the wheeling vids if you want.
http://www.youtube.com/user/gyger1234

 

i should check my shift linkage for my 4lo mine is a lil diffcult at times too lol

 

You know, he's right. In the 2 years I had my ZJ, I think I only used 4lo about 4 or 5 times. Those were the times I wound up in a snow filled ditch, lol!

 

i have to put mine in 4wd when pulling it up onto car ramps, the rear tires like to break loose...

 

ahaha yeah thats 1 good thing about mine still being awd :P lol

 

I hate ramps! Wait 'til you drive off the front end!

 

Are you guys using them mostly for daily drivers? I would like the ability to just switch into 2WD instead of the NP249 awd so we are thinking about the 231 or 242 swap. Right now I'm putting a lunch box locker in the rear and fab'ing up some rock sliders.

 

You know, I didn't find much of a difference in mpg with my ZJ if I was in 2wd or full-time 4wd. I imagine there is less wear on the front end parts in 2wd, but is it worth a t-case swap? Dunno. Your choice.

Oh, Wait! You're a gearhead, aren't you. I just looked at your stable. I only have a WJ DD, not a stable of toys to play with. Wish I did.

 

just gotta know how to control it, cover the brake with your left foot and go easy on the gas.

 

Been there, done it! The problem was the ramps I was using were just cheap stamped steel and had hardly any front lip. They were steep and once I broke over the top, I had about a nanosecond to react. Oops! I've put cars on and off trailers many times, but I still hate ramps.

 

I was helping my elderly neighbor clean out his garage and he had a set of ramps, i asked him where to put them and he told me to take them if I wanted them, so i got them for free! theyre pretty nice steel ones, the front lip is around 3-4 inches, so when i pull up onto them, i can hear the tire hit the lip, so then i put it in neutral and let it roll back just a hair.

 

Yeah our jeep doesn't get driven on the road very much and having the ability to slide it around corners for sharper turn in 2WD sure would come in handy.