Ok so I'm new to the XJ world and I have possibly a really dumb question. When in 4wd hi or lo my cluster reads "part time" yet I can clearly see that there's a light for "full time." So when is my jeep in part time and when is it in full time, or is it ever in full time 4wd? Just trying to understand more about how this system works.

 

If your transfer case shift lever only has 2hi 4hi N 4lo then you have an NP231 case and no full time. The NP242 has the full time option for on road use. Part time as in you can not use it full time ie on pavement.

 

Part time can be used on pavement for snow/ice as long as its slippery.

 

And the dash cluster is a generic for them. So even though you don't have full time, your dash still has a place for it. Easier/cheaper to make one instrument cluster with both light places in it. Years ago, I was working on a Dodge Dakota, and the light hit it just right, I could see a place for a "rear hatch open", it was the same instrument cluster that was used in the Durango........RR

 

What? Fulltime shouldn't be used?

Tell me that's not what you're suggesting.

 

I think he was saying technically part time can be used on the road but suggested not to

 

I'm unsure. We need clarification for sure.

 

Indeed. Verification is important here, just like in diagnosis of the jeeps

 

Correct. We don't want to send new folks down a rabbit trail or give them poor advice. Actually, shouldn't be done at all.

 

Alright so the way I understand it is that I don't have a full time 4x4 option with my transfer case. The only way my jeep is actually driving all 4 wheels is when I'm in 4wd hi or low and the back starts to slip (snow, ice, mud etc).

 

Actually,unless you have aftermarket lockers of some sort,when your in 4 hi or low you only have one wheel in front and one in back with power to them. You could have the optional factory limited slip differential in the rear that would under certain situations give you power to both rear wheels. Front end gets power only when your transfer case is in 4 hi or low.

 

I believe you are interpreting "part time" incorrectly.

As I understand it, "part time" means you can only use it part of the time (the time when traction is low, sand/dirt/snow. You can only use it part time because it doesn't allow wheels to spin at different rates during cornering (which is necessary a the wheels on the outside of a turn need to spin faster).

"Full time" means you can leave it on full time even on dry pavement. If I understand it all correctly, what you thought "part time" does is what "full time" does, engage the front wheels when the rears slip.

 

Hum.. I was out in slushy snow on top of muddy sand, patchy stuff with just enough traction, some parts were questionable, but I found that( IMO ) " Part time " preformed better that " Full time "
Then as I understand it: if you drive it in "part time " on dry pavement cause it binds up while turning and can do damage to TC ....

So I'm diffently interested in the rest off this thread

 

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In 4hi part time. There's power to all the wheels. Its not meant as All time AWD so unless there is wheels slip then the rear tires will try and drive straight and as you turn the front tires will turn hence the binding.
In 4full time the TC allows the front and rear to go at different speeds so you can turn with no problems.

Dash cluster is generic and has a bulb for manual upshift even in automatic jeep.

OP is that enough info for you.

 

I was responding to the minimal traction situation he mentioned above where with open diffs front and rear he would be getting power supplied to the wheel in each with the least amount of traction. I was under the impression he was thinking he would have full power to all four.