I think, and I'm just guessing here, Jeep made 2WD Cherokees to appeal to the "masses" in the southern states where it doesn't snow (much). In 2WD trim it's still a very capable vehcile to haul groceries, people, golf clubs, etc....

My question would be, how well would a 2WD version do off road if it had a locker?

 

Didn't somebody post just the other day they were stuck in snow in their 4X4 XJ (2 open diffs)?????


An autolocker can be installed in a couple hours in your driveway.....way less mechanicals/weight than a 4X4.......but then I'm biased, our 4X2 is locked.

 

bottom line is that jeep is just like every other car company their in the business of sells cars jeep saw it could sell 2wd versions so they build them just like people ask the same question why do they make a (use to be 4cyl and now v6) mustang and same with camaro/trans am its cause ford and gm could sell them enthusiast is what brings the rubicons and the svt cobras about but not everyone wants that and auto marks know that selling 2 or 3 versions of something beats selling 1 version

 

Djb how is your 2wd locked cherokee

 

The kiddo's got it up in Oklahoma and it's been awesome in this winters heavy snow. Installed the PowerTrax No-Slip this past June. This is the 4th autolocker I've installed in various vehicles.....zero, zip, nada one tire fires....great bang for the buck in about 2 hours.

 

The offical 2wd xj

 

That things freaking nice^^, do you have a locker in the rear?

 

Thanks djb383, I found this nice write up on the PowerTrax No-Slip. I want one!! (or two)
http://www.rockcrawler.com/techrepor...x_tj/index.htm

 

I got a 2wd on purpose. My previous ride was a small pickup truck, and I wanted something that was covered and would seat more than 2 people. Wasn't that interested in offroading. So I got this 96 and I love it. Plenty of room for me an my my son, and it's pretty light. A guy I know runs his 4wd Grand Cherokee at the drags so we went to test and tune last weekend and it looks like mine is about a full second quicker than his.

Bottom line...I love it!

 

Yeah I have a 97 xj clean as a whistle and I have a lift kit and tires all waiting in the garage for it. I will take it off road prolly 2 times a year so I think I'm just going to lock the rear and call it a day!

 

......and the other 99.99% of the time (pavement), u'll see those 2 black marks in the rear view mirror....not to mention the grin. LOL

 

So the locker is definitely worth it? I called up powertrax and they said they want 450$ for it and that it was difficult to install unless you have small fingers.

 

 

You guys have convinced me to keep my 2wd xj. =].

 

Somebody at Richmond Gear/PowerTrax needs to have their *** fired.....sounds like a disgruntled employee to me. Like I said, I've installed 4 of them in various vehicles....without issue. An autolocker is the cheapest/easiest way to install a traction enhanced differential. I'm not pluggin' the No-Slip, I'm just saying any single traction enhanced diff will probably out-perform 2 open diffs......and the video I posted demonstrates how a 4X2 with a locking diff can have better traction than a 4X4 with 2 open diffs. Most vehicles, including 4X4s, have open diffs.

An autolocker can be installed in a couple of hours, no need to mess with ring/pinion set-up and provides the ultimate in power to opposite wheels, on road or off. 4X2 is lighter, gets a little better mpg, less complicated, blah, blah, blah.