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Command Trac and Urban Winter Diving
I have a 98 Cherokee that’s the first Cherokee I’ve owned with Command Trac. I live near Minneapolis, Minnesota and the primary use of my XJ is urban commuting even though I would eventually like to outfit her for Overland Camping. I’ve done some research on the forum into converting her to Selec Trac but have found out what I have currently is considered to be the better transfer case with more aftermarket support. So my question is how do I use Command Trac in an urban environment and what risks am I taking when using it on wet or snowy pavement. For the record, I will be investing in a set of winter tires shortly so hopefully that will reduce the need for 4wd. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks, Eric |
Selec trac is the set it and forget it "Part Time 4WD" where you can throw it on if there are patches of snow and you can just carry on driving and let the case do the work for you, engaging when it deems necessary. Command trac is only as smart as your shifting is, you're going to be switching in and out a lot or just not using it in some scenarios where you might have used selec trac before. The only reason you would want aftermarket support for the transfer case is if you're interested in putting in an SYE. If you're not going overboard with a lift that probably won't be necessary and you might be interested in swapping in a different case. The case you have is widely regard as the stronger of the two which only really matters in heavy offroading applications IMO.
Edit: I realize I didn't directly answer your question. To be more specific you'll likely be using Command trac to get yourself out of your snowed in parallel parking spot and then turning it off unless the streets are still covered with snow or ice. Driving with 4WD on dry pavement is bad for everything |
I use my NP231 in urban commuting all year round. Just throw it into 4wd when needed, like taking off from a stop or when you feel wheel spin, and put it back in 2wd when you're moving. When it snows, I probably shift in and out of 4wd 5-10 times in a trip.
As long as the conditions are slick, you should be fine. Just don't leave it in 4wd when the roads are dry. Get used to steering too. No center diff can make for some fun, sideways times if you're heavy on the throttle. |
Thanks for the advice guys, that's how I have been driving for the most part. I did shift it into part time for a while this weekend when I started fishtailing on some pavement that was about 50% packed snow. But I think that was more a function of lousy tires than driving in 2wd. I hope to add a mild 3" lift in the next month or so along with a couple sets of seasonal tires. Hopefully that will make a big difference. Thanks again! E |
You can leave it in 4x4 high and just switch to 2wd if you feel it binding up when you go around turns.
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Legitimate winter tires help out a ton too. I have WinterForces on my commuter XJ and General Grabber Artics on my Subaru. That car, even with AWD and a rear limited slip, will slide and barely stop with all seasons when it snows.
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I'm an acknowleged 242 fan-boy, they're great for snowy conditions - or anywhere that you keep hitting good traction/bad traction.
But a 242 isn't the only answer, an LSD in the rear is also great for snow in 2WD and of course tyres are the biggest consideration for just about any conditions. |
I’ve done some research on the forum into converting her to Selec Trac but have found out what I have currently is considered to be the better transfer case with more aftermarket support FWIW a HD version of the 242 is used in a bunch of different vehicles and even the AM General HMMWV (Hummvee) If it's good enough for the crap I've seen HMMWVs get put through I dont think any thing the XJ can throw at it makes it any less desirable than the 231. |
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