[boy]

Hi guys,

a newbie questions,tried a search function for almost
30 minutes and couldnt find one and the .....

I just bought a 1991 Jeep Cherokee 4WD
with 4.0 liter and inline six.

My questions is what is the proper way to engage
to 4WD ? theres a 4H and 4L indicator beside the
"small stick".Can i just shift it to 4H or 4L in parking
mode?

I dont know how to engage this pls help me.

Thanks

Boy

[balloo93]

You can shift on the fly (while driving) into 4hi. I personally would recommend any speed faster than say 45mph when doing this. Also if you have the NP231 (2hi 4hi N 4lo) I wouldn't shift into 4wd unless roads are slick or on the dirt. If roads are dry enough, it will cause some binding.

As for 4lo, I like to put mine in P and shift into 4lo. 4lo really should only be used if you are REALLY stuck. 4hi will usually take care of most situations.

[boy]

balloo,

yeah i think i got the NP231 (2hi 4hi N 4lo).
So I can just change it to 4H on the fly ehh?
serious ehh? hehe.. ok thanks

BTW,can i shift to 4HI when the gear in neutral ?

And which drive would you choose if you guys
are towing something ? let say a dodge neon ..?

thanks

[RedJeepXJ]

Originally posted by boy
balloo,

yeah i think i got the NP231 (2hi 4hi N 4lo).
So I can just change it to 4H on the fly ehh?
serious ehh? hehe.. ok thanks

BTW,can i shift to 4HI when the gear in neutral ?

And which drive would you choose if you guys
are towing something ? let say a dodge neon ..?

thanks

yeah all cherokee's have shift-on-the-fly 4wd
you must be stopped or moving very slowly <3 mph to go into 4lo
you can go to 4hi in neutral or any gear, only use 4hi or 4lo in very loose conditions (don't use on dry roads)

auto or manual
in an auto just let it do the work, in a stick just pull the revs up higher then usual so you don't lose too much momentum

how are you gonna tow a neon with it, the combined wight of the car and trailer is going to exceed the towing capacity, you should at least get an auxilary trannsmission cooler if you have an auto

[bigjon]

tow weight for 4.0 auto jeep is 5000 pounds. at least in my 96.

also i shift into 4lo with my tranny in neutral.

[ChrisinVA]

4HI...only on slick surfaces, can be shifted any time. 4LO, try to shift when in neutral, and give it a firm shove as you have to get it past N on the transfer case.

When towing anything, be sure that A) have a tranny cooler installed, B) you have very good brakes, and C) put it in '3'.

Also, despite what others say, 4HI can be used in heavy rain if you feel the need to use it. It even says that right in the owners manual. Just don't do any parking lot maneuvers in 4HI.

[CF]

Why is there a neutral on the transfer case anyway?

[ChrisinVA]

For towing purposes. Say you have a motor home and you want to tow around the XJ. You want the transmission disconnected completely from the axles, so there is a neutral setting on the transfer case.

What you would do is put it in park, then the case in neutral...then you can tow it around without a dolly. Here, try this sometime. With the ebrake on and the tranny in neutral or park, put the case in neutral...then put it in drive and see what happens. Bet you don't go anywhere!

[LoveMyXJ]

Check out these threads:

Thread 1
Thread 2
Thread 3
Thread 4
Thread 5

[Dacaur]

Actually, the stock towing weight for any 84+ Cherokee is 2000lbs, this raises to 5000lbs only when you have the factory tow package AND an automatic transmission, because the factory tow package comes with an auxiliary transmission cooler and a class III weight distributing hitch., so theoretically, you could install an ATF cooler and tow 5000lbs IF you have a class III weight distributing hitch and an auto.

[RedJeepXJ]

didn't all the tow packages also come with better axles, dana 44 or chrysler 8.25?