PLEASE do not laugh at this post but what is the correct way to put my 2000 Sahara in 4WD hi or low? I mean, can you do it while you are moving slowly forward or do you need to fully stop and put the automatic transmission in neutral and then move the 4WD lever? The reason I ask is this Jeep is the oldest vehicle I have ever had and my other 4WD trucks I could change into 4WD while driving. Its getting cold here in Arkansas and it even snowed a bit this past weekend so if I need to use the 4WD in my Jeep I want to do it the right way. Thanks in advance.
4WD operation
- Thread starter FirstJeep
- Start date
X2. Completely stopped rarely works unless the moon and the stars are aligned.
To be clear,
4H you can shift into at any speed while in gear up to 40mph.
4L you should shift into while in neutral at 2-3mph.
Same going out of 4H or 4L
4H you can shift into at any speed while in gear up to 40mph.
4L you should shift into while in neutral at 2-3mph.
Same going out of 4H or 4L
For some reason, mine is the exact opposite. I have to be completely stopped in order to get into 4L. When I try it rolling (in neutral), it grinds every time.
80mph according to me.
I'll go with this. Actually I've never tried to get over 70mph but everything related to 2HI and 4HI spins at the same speed.
read the manual, with the automatic you need to be moving, 2-3mph as you pull from 4HI thru N into 4LO, without pausing in N.... and same 4LO to 4HI.
From the TJ Operating Manual
4H to 4L or 4L to 4H
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift an automatic transmission to N (Neutral) or depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission. While the vehicle
is coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the transfer case lever firmly to the desired position. Do not pause in transfer case N (Neutral).
NOTE: Pausing in transfer case N (Neutral) in vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may require shutting the engine OFF to avoid gear clash while completing the shift. If difficulty occurs, shift the auto- matic transmission to N (Neutral), hold foot on brake, and turn the engine OFF. Make shift to desired mode.
NOTE: Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the vehicle completely stopped, however, difficulty may oc- cur due to the mating teeth not being properly aligned. Several attempts may be required for clutch teeth align- ment and shift completion to occur. The preferred method is with the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h). Avoid attempting to engage or disengage 4L with the vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).
It takes some practice plus getting used to the sound of a few gears clashing, as the gears mate.
From the TJ Operating Manual
4H to 4L or 4L to 4H
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift an automatic transmission to N (Neutral) or depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission. While the vehicle
is coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the transfer case lever firmly to the desired position. Do not pause in transfer case N (Neutral).
NOTE: Pausing in transfer case N (Neutral) in vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may require shutting the engine OFF to avoid gear clash while completing the shift. If difficulty occurs, shift the auto- matic transmission to N (Neutral), hold foot on brake, and turn the engine OFF. Make shift to desired mode.
NOTE: Shifting into or out of 4L is possible with the vehicle completely stopped, however, difficulty may oc- cur due to the mating teeth not being properly aligned. Several attempts may be required for clutch teeth align- ment and shift completion to occur. The preferred method is with the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h). Avoid attempting to engage or disengage 4L with the vehicle moving faster than 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h).
It takes some practice plus getting used to the sound of a few gears clashing, as the gears mate.
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Most of the advice, has been for the standard transmission.
With my manual transmission, I go from 4H to 4L stopped, but going from 4L to 4H I find rolling, 2mph, works best.
Fughuert
TJ Enthusiast
I have no problem being stopped but is the clutch out when you’re in neutral and rolling?
When I go from low to high I clutch out in nuetral rolling at whatever speed I’m at (I’ve done it at up to 15) and it slips into high no problem, if the clutch is in it will grind.
I've always done it while I've been stopped with any Jeep I've ever owned (all NP231, an AX5, AX15 and two NSG370 FWIW). If it ever gives me trouble I would usually roll the Jeep a little and try again.
Thanks for adding what is in the owners manual. I have been in search of one for a while now and can't find one at a decent price. My Jeep is missing it's manual. So I was wondering exactly how to do it too.
Edit to add, so when I want to go into 4H with an automatic, I can just pull the lever up and still have the main tranny in Drive, right?
From the TJ Operating Manual
4H to 4L or 4L to 4H
With the vehicle rolling at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift an automatic transmission to N (Neutral) or depress the clutch pedal on a manual transmission. While the vehicle
is coasting at 2 to 3 mph (3 to 5 km/h), shift the transfer case lever firmly to the desired position. Do not pause in transfer case N (Neutral).
google it, they are all online.
here is one source..
https://carmanuals2.com/jeep/tj-2006-owner-s-manual-78979
That's unusual, the tcase isn't synchronized so it's not common that the gears are aligned well enough at a stop. Instead of being in neutral while rolling where the gears aren't turning when shifting into 4Lo, be at a DEAD-slow crawl in 1st or Low gear. Pulling on the lever just a little toward 4Lo when at that dead-slow crawl will usually cause it to suddenly easily slip into 4Lo at the right time when the gears are aligned.
And as above, you can shift into or out of 4Hi at any safe speed.
I have googled it and only find service manuals and even the link you give is not my manual. Mine is a 1999. I'm going to guess there is some differences as mine doesn't have all the fancy electronics in the turn signal switch and all.
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