Automatic transmission in 4 LO: Is this normal?

[mgroeger]

2004 LJ
4.88 gears
33s
Automatic
I was on the trails yesterday and noticed something I hadn't before. I was in 4LO and D and when I would get on the gas to climb over something there would be a pause then it would engage. It felt like it was hesitating to downshift or pausing before a the downshift.
I decided to put the tranny in 2 instead and voila problem solved. Does this sound correct? Should I not be in D when in 4LO on the trails.
There were times when the trail was relatively flat and then I would go back into D so it could go into 3rd gear.

 

[Daryl]

Not normal. Check fluid level.

 

[Jerry Bransford]

Check the ATF level. The engine must be running while doing that.

 

[mgroeger]

OK, I will check it tomorrow after work since the tranny will be good and hot then. Also I've heard check it in P and also heard check it in N with the Jeep running, does it matter which?

 

[Thunderhead]

OK, I will check it tomorrow after work since the tranny will be good and hot then. Also I've heard check it in P and also heard check it in N with the Jeep running, does it matter which?

On your 04, Park or neutral. As long it’s hot and running

 

[mgroeger]

Checked it after work, engine was nice and hot and had been driven for 35 mins. Had used all of the gears, level surface in park with engine running and the fluid was right between the two dots where it says hot, i.e. right where it should be. The fluid was also nice and pink. It drives and shifts completely fine in 2H and 4H and when in 4LO if I kept it in "2" it would seemlessly shift between 1st and 2nd.
It was only when it was in "D" where it seemed to pause for a second before dropping from 3rd down to 1st. The OD was also on, i.e. I did not flick the switch off on the dash.

 

[JEEPCJTJ]

The first few times I used 4LO I thought something was wrong. I still don't think it shifts like I want it to but I only feel that way while in 4LO.

In my good old days, when in 4LO I'd just start out in 2nd or 3rd gear and leave it there. I wish I could override the automatic.

 

[mgroeger]

The first few times I used 4LO I thought something was wrong. I still don't think it shifts like I want it to but I only feel that way while in 4LO.

In my good old days, when in 4LO I'd just start out in 2nd or 3rd gear and leave it there. I wish I could override the automatic.

It's fine when it's in 1st or 2nd, it just doesn't seem to like when it is in Drive and has to bump down to 1st when I give it some gas to climb over something.

@Jerry Bransford - if level is fine, fluid looks good condition and everything else seems normal is this just the way mine functions. It sort of sounds like @JEEPCJTJ experiences something similar.