It doesn't happen very often but just after purchasing,this tj would not come out of 4-lo easily after driving around some forest service roads for a while,making sure everything worked. I could have pushed harder and got it to go but i don't like to be rough when trying to shift things. I know the history of this jeep. It hasn't been in 4-lo for years. As soon as I backed up 3 feet or less it shifted easily. Now after using 4-lo more it hasn't acted like that. My older jeeps were way worse. YJ,CJ,SJ.
Looking for shortcuts and quick tips on shifting transfer case while off-roading
- Thread starter Kaptainkid1
- Start date
We're not communicating. Easier if I do "what"? Leave in gear, or push in the clutch, or what? *confused* Dead slow I've got, the rest - not so much!
Easier to do the thing that disengages the drive train and reduces the chances of all the spinning parts of not lining up cleanly.We're not communicating. Easier if I do "what"? Leave in gear, or push in the clutch, or what? *confused* Dead slow I've got, the rest - not so much!
I heard years ago that backing up after being in 4wd for a while relieves the inherent bind that shows up when you are driving around in 4 wheel drive. That has never made any sense to me at all, but sometimes I back up just out of habit. I can’t see how it would make literally any difference though.
Didn't some of the older trucks use slightly different ratios front vs rear axles ( example 4.09 front 4.10 rear)?
If memory serves correctly that was one reason they said to back up to disengage 4 wheel drive...
But back to the OP's original question. As long as you have identical gear ratios front and rear there is absolutely no reason to have to back up to shift in or out of 4 wheel drive. 2 hi to 4 hi and back at speed is not an issue as others have said. 4 hi to 4 lo is best to do at almost full stop... Once again as others have said you can be rolling a little but you should be in neutral or have the clutch pushed in.
If memory serves correctly that was one reason they said to back up to disengage 4 wheel drive...
But back to the OP's original question. As long as you have identical gear ratios front and rear there is absolutely no reason to have to back up to shift in or out of 4 wheel drive. 2 hi to 4 hi and back at speed is not an issue as others have said. 4 hi to 4 lo is best to do at almost full stop... Once again as others have said you can be rolling a little but you should be in neutral or have the clutch pushed in.
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I know about the automatic hub issue. As far as the slightly different ratios, I know many vehicles were set up that way from the factory. with the higher ratio (numerically lower) gears in the front axle.
Great the whole t-cases explain and now I have a better understanding of its limitations and capabilities. I was tired of backing up to getting out of gear. It seems unnecessary and now I know it wasn't sound information. I wish I got a owners manual with my Jeep. Hey the resources here at this forum has got my Jeep all fixed up in the last year and I've put so many man hours that she's a capable off road rig with no problems.
Thanks ya'll!
Kap!
Thanks ya'll!
Kap!
L0jik
TJ Enthusiast
We're not communicating. Easier if I do "what"? Leave in gear, or push in the clutch, or what? *confused* Dead slow I've got, the rest - not so much!
Neutral. Having the clutch in but the trans still in gear means the trans is still being moved by the rotation of the wheels on the ground as you roll. When you shift into the low range and undergo that ratio change, it will grind and might refuse to go in because the transmission is still engaged to the transfercase.
Definitively the procedure for shifting from high to low range is as follows:
- In 4Hi roll at a speed of about 7-10 mph (if offroad you'll slow down pretty quickly so the higher the starting speed, the more time you have to complete the other steps before the shift point).
- Shift into neutral
- Use brakes LIGHTLY to stop the torque converter if in an automatic (IDK why but thats what I have heard)
- Using brakes or rolling resistance to slow to about 2-3 mph
- Pull the lever in 4Lo, following the diagram on the shifter and pulling in a slightly diagonal way (look at the shifter you'll see what I mean)
That bind would only really happen if you were on something with as much or nearly as much traction as pavement. And if it was bound up, you would have to travel backwards the same distance you traveled forward (theoretically). If you accidentally drove on pavement that was too dry or just forgot to take it out of 4, just get the Jeep stuck and let the tires spin. It'll get all the binding out quick.
GreatWhiteTurtle
New Member
This page can help clear up some confusion regarding all the different kinds of 4wd/hub types.
https://www.knowyourparts.com/technical-resources/hubs-bearings/automatic-locking-hubs/
https://www.knowyourparts.com/technical-resources/hubs-bearings/automatic-locking-hubs/
GreatWhiteTurtle
New Member
Not sure what year yours is, but it looks similar to mine so here's the 1999 owner's manual. If yours is a different year, let me know what that is and I'll see what I can find.
Sorry for the potato quality. It took me three tries to attach this file. First it was about 90MB, then about 50MB, and both times it was blocked as "file too large."
2004 Jeep Wrangler Owners Manual
https://www.carmanual.org/jeep-owners-manuals/2004-jeep-wrangler-owners-manual-2984/
and you can click Download to get your own copy instead of reading it online.
https://www.carmanual.org/jeep-owners-manuals/2004-jeep-wrangler-owners-manual-2984/
and you can click Download to get your own copy instead of reading it online.
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