Changing from 2WD to 4H

Kip100

Kip100

TJ Enthusiast
Joined
Dec 27, 2021
Messages
269
Location
Washington
I haven't had to use my 4 high in a while, now living somewhere snowy and icy. 6 speed manual 4.0 transmission. Question is, if the road switches from snowy/icy to somewhat cleared by sand/salt, is it a problem if I switch from 2 WD to 4H several times when driving to accommodate for road conditions? Or should I just keep it in 4H while keeping speed under 50? All parts are original, recently had transfer case, rear and front differential maintenance performed. Just worried about burning out the transfer case by flip flopping
 
Kip100 said:
I haven't had to use my 4 high in a while, now living somewhere snowy and icy. 6 speed manual 4.0 transmission. Question is, if the road switches from snowy/icy to somewhat cleared by sand/salt, is it a problem if I switch from 2 WD to 4H several times when driving to accommodate for road conditions? Or should I just keep it in 4H while keeping speed under 50? All parts are original, recently had transfer case, rear and front differential maintenance performed. Just worried about burning out the transfer case by flip flopping
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Switch away. You won’t do any harm. I can be in and out of 4H half a dozen times driving into work or town where I’m at in NCW based on the road conditions.
 
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Ok thanks. I was a little concerned because most of my research indicated that driving on clear roads wasn't healthy in 4high. Trying to just adjust according to grip and slide
 
Jerry Bransford said:
When in a Wrangler I'd stay in 2wd as much as possible when on ice. And if there are selectable locker(s) I'd keep them off when on ice.
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You might wreck if you do that. It’s best not to drive at all on ice, but if you have to up here in WA state 4H is better than 2H. In 2H rear wheel drive you are very likely to spin around if you are on the gas to much, It’s safest just to go slow in 4H.

My .02c

ps, always remember you dont have 4wd stop. LOL
 
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No reason you can not shift on the fly I just lift the throttle to slack the drivetrain when I do. Biggest things to remember is that four wheel drive really does not improve braking or turning at road speeds. And please do not be like the morons up here that drive half of the year in four wheel drive and complain of driveshaft vibrations at 60. If you think conditions warrant four wheel drive there is ZERO reason to be driving over 45 mph.
 
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Blackjack said:
No reason you can not shift on the fly I just lift the throttle to slack the drivetrain when I do. Biggest things to remember is that four wheel drive really does not improve braking or turning at road speeds. And please do not be like the morons up here that drive half of the year in four wheel drive and complain of driveshaft vibrations at 60. If you think conditions warrant four wheel drive there is ZERO reason to be driving over 45 mph.
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Boy, talk about a tough one to explain to folks and get them to understand it. We have to run a lot of small diameter front driveshafts and the critical speed is usually under 60 mph. I explain to the owners that they can't run in 4 hi faster than 50 or they may bow the driveshaft and tear up some stuff and since they have hubs, I doubt the caster will let them go much faster vibe free anyway.

They always want to be able to go faster. No, stop it, if you're in 4 hi, that means something sucks about the conditions and you don't need to go any faster.
 
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JMT said:
You might wreck if you do that. It’s best not to drive at all on ice, but if you have to up here in WA state 4H is better than 2H. In 2H rear wheel drive you are very likely to spin around if you are on the gas to much, It’s safest just to go slow in 4H.

My .02c

ps, always remember you dont have 4wd stop. LOL
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I can see it both ways. Going around a turn in 4hi your transfer case will force both driveshafts to go the same speed while the ground speed of each tire is wanting to do something else...so one tire is going to lose traction, period. In 2wd, if you're under anything but neutral throttle the torque will be concentrated into fewer tires, making one or both of those more likely to break loose, but if careful enough and with more throttle control than the average driver you can keep 4 tires with what grip is possible to have.

So it probably comes down to each individual and their own skills and expectations, along with some luck with variables no one can control. I know I've spun every possible way 🤣
 
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I’ve tested this like 20 times in the last two weeks. It’s almost impossible to even get moving in 2H. 🤣 4H is very helpful. If you stomp on the gas while moving 10-15mph in 2H you will immediately go sideways or more. Not so in 4H. If your turning in either you should not give it much gas. The surface is variable snow/ice, but either way there is more likelihood of finding traction in 4H than 2H.
 
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JMT said:
I’ve tested this like 20 times in the last two weeks. It’s almost impossible to even get moving in 2H. 🤣 4H is very helpful. If you stomp on the gas while moving 10-15mph in 2H you will immediately go sideways or more. Not so in 4H. If your turning in either you should not give it much gas. The surface is variable snow/ice, but either way there is more likelihood of finding traction in 4H than 2H.
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Golf shoes, it's all about the golf shoes.
 
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