Hey, I was out today helping a buddy get his 92 wrangler out of an ice patch. I hooked him up and we headed back down the trail. I didn't go very far at all, then I hit a pact of dirt and lost traction. Only my back tire was spinning, and the front weren't, this whole time I've been in 4 high. so the Cherokees front axle wasn't engaged. then I rolled back and put my 4x4 shiftier into 4 low. After that they engaged and I had no trouble the rest of the trip. Can anyone tell me why my front tires weren't engaged?? is it a common problem? I have a straight six engine, and the cherokee is a 1990 two door.

 

welcome!

 

Welcome to the Site!

Your issue is normal. When it is in low, the transfercase locks the front and rear driveshafts together and makes them turn at the same rate. In high it gives power to the axle with the least resistance. The reason only one of your tires were spinning in the rear was due to you having an open differential. This means the differential turns whichever wheel has the least resistance. If you had lockers then both rear wheels would be getting full power.

 

I knew the reason for the tire spinning was because of the differential doing its job, but what Im puzzled with is why the front tires werent spinning as well. My understanding of my 4x4 system was that in 4 high and 4 low power was being distributed evenly but in 4 low it was in a different (lower) gearing then 4 high. that the gearing ratio was different. So thats why I am puzzled with the front tires just sitting there. Is my understanding of my 4x4 system incorrect? and thank you for your imput.

 

Welcome to the site.

 

Here is the answer to why your front tires were not spinning that I just gave you...

And yes it also goes to a lower 2.72 gear when in low.

 

Alright, thanks for your impute. Sorry to pretty much ask the question again, your answer just went against what I had always thought of my 4x4. That makes sense.