Is it true when your xj is in 4x4, or any jeep, that only two wheels are actually spinning? Or all Four? Someone tried to convince me that on the right driver side and read passenger side spin when in 4 wheel drive.

 

Yes if you have open diffs. Lockers are the way to go.

 

So my stock 97 isn't actually 4 wheel drive then? Just one in the front and one in the back?

 

Yes and no, provided that all 4 tires have traction they all are being provided power, when one side has no traction and vise versa only one wheel per axle will be under power, when one tire loses traction it will spin when the other with traction will not... lockers are the only way to a true four wheel drive...

 

Not entirely. The diff will send power to all the wheels but the mainly to the one with least resistance. If you get them spinning them fast enough they will both spin but at different speeds.

AOA did a much better job of describing it haha.
Here:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential2.htm

 

yea i tried, its still rather complicated to wrap your head around unless you have a keen mind to these complicated mechanical riddles..

 

So what's preferable, differentials or lockers? This is over my head, but seems like you'd want more power going to the wheel facing the most resistance? Is there a reason why Chrysler (and others) went with diff instead of "true" 4x4?

Now I'm all curious.

 

Lockers are preferable to open diffs when wheeling. All a locker does is transfer the power evenly between both wheels. Lockers really help in the mud.

 

Yes anything that's driven on the street will need to have differential action since when you turn, the outside wheel will have to gofurther to keep up with the inside wheel. If you're dumb enough to lock it and drive it on the street all the time, it will hop when you turn,and strip or break shafts (like the dumb*** with a zj did at my school).

Sent from my Garminfone while fighting off ninjas

 

Thanks guys, that all makes sense now. Guess I don't have to scrape off that 4x4 logo from my Cherk, I can display it in good conscience

 

that's what mine did when i got it stuck in a 5ft rut. driver frnt wheel and back passenger tire spun like crazy. even had it in park, emergency brake and brake on and it still spun.

 

If I was to purchase lockers, would it be better to put them in the front or back? And do they automatically "turn on" when I put my Jeep in 4-Hi? Or do I press another switch also? Because if I'm driving on icy roads, and I don't want to use my lockers, can I still use the factory 4x4? If that even made sense...

 

Front vs back is always a big debate some say front some say back. Either or is going to be about the same. I'm kinda partial to front because I want both tires pulling. There are several different types of lockers that range in price and also how they are engaged. Air/electric lockers are engaged by the driver only when they feel they need them, and are more expensive. The most common type of locker is a lunchbox locker. These are cheaper and engage when you start slipping. If you are diving on icy roads and only want them engaging when you feel necessary I would go with air/electric lockers.

 

4wd means all wheels have power available to them, just not all at the same time LOL.

I got a front locker first (just happened across one cheap) and it really helped with getting the front end up and over the rocks, but mine's not a daily driver either. It's locked on both ends now.

 

Both is best. And I prefer selectable, I've got an ARB.