insta-trac vs command-trac

rannasjem · 09-12-2005, 09:52 AM

A few years back when I was clueless about anything automotive (not that I claim to know much now) I owned a 96 Blazer with insta-trac. I didn't know it wasn't supposed to be used on dry pavement and I usually left 4wd on all winter whether it was snowing or not. After 3 years I never had any problems. I guess that leads me to a few questions. Was I just lucky? Is the insta-trac transfer case made to take more punishment on dry pavement than the command trac? Although not recommended, could I have got away with all that driving on pavement in my Jeep? What are the differences between the part time 4wd transfer cases? I assume the command-trac has a much lower gearing range than any/most others and wouldn't hold up as well if the wheels couldn't slip, which would also make command-trac better off-road. Is this right?

jeepramnauth · 09-12-2005, 09:58 AM

the lower gear ratio is correct, and also the transfer case in the jeep is much more heavy then the blazers (better alloy and tighter gearing). Just rest assured its Jeep engineered

TJVigilante · 09-12-2005, 11:57 AM

Not to be rude or anything, but it doesn't take much to pull the t-case lever up one notch to 4WD in case you encounter some nasty snow. Besides, RWD is a little better when driving because you don't have the understeer you get in AWD/4WD; all you do is spin, but you stay on the road. It's also easy to fight your way out of an oversteer situation than it is to stop plowing into a ditch 2 feet to your right.

rannasjem · 09-12-2005, 12:39 PM

don't get me wrong, i don't want AWD. I just thought it was odd how nothing ever went wrong on my blazer in 3 years and it got me thinking about the differences in transfer cases. The only difference I know about would be the gear ratio.

rannasjem · 09-12-2005, 01:00 PM

By the way, the blazer wasn't AWD, insta-trac is a part time 4WD system also, i just didn't know how to use it back then.

03jeeper78 · 09-12-2005, 01:00 PM

I have no idea what it was like to drive your blazer with the 4wd engaged on dry pavement, but if you ever try taking a moderately sharp turn on dry pavement with your TJ in 4wd, you will KNOW why you should NOT leave it engaged.

NoUse328 · 09-12-2005, 05:02 PM

I had a friend with one of the last generation explorers with 4wd. He drove it everywhere in 4wd. However, his t-case was pretty much constantly slipping in and out of 4wd and it was terrible offroad because of it.

09-12-2005, 12:39 PM	#4
rannasjem Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 103 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	don't get me wrong, i don't want AWD. I just thought it was odd how nothing ever went wrong on my blazer in 3 years and it got me thinking about the differences in transfer cases. The only difference I know about would be the gear ratio. __________________ 2004 Solar Yellow Unlimited 2" OME lift - 1.25" Body Lift 33x12.50 BFG Mud Terrains 1946 CJ2A http://www.BohtTrophy.com

09-12-2005, 01:00 PM	#5
rannasjem Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Bend, IN Posts: 103 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	By the way, the blazer wasn't AWD, insta-trac is a part time 4WD system also, i just didn't know how to use it back then. __________________ 2004 Solar Yellow Unlimited 2" OME lift - 1.25" Body Lift 33x12.50 BFG Mud Terrains 1946 CJ2A http://www.BohtTrophy.com

09-12-2005, 01:00 PM	#6
03jeeper78 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Appleton, WI Posts: 1,167 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	I have no idea what it was like to drive your blazer with the 4wd engaged on dry pavement, but if you ever try taking a moderately sharp turn on dry pavement with your TJ in 4wd, you will KNOW why you should NOT leave it engaged. __________________ '03 Bright Silver Metallic TJ Sport BSMCCEP Club Member #45 Stock: 4.0L I6:5-speed:3.07 gears:D35 with Trac-Loc:15x7 Ecco wheels:Dual Top Group Mods: 30x9.5 BFG A-T T/A KO's:JKS Quicker disconnects:Rock-It Man rocker guards:Jeep Medic oil pan/tranny skid:Kilby steering skid:Warn D30 diff guard:C4x4 D35 diff guard:Rusty's radiator guard:Skid Row LCA skids:SilverStar headlights and fogs:Hidden Hitch class III receiver:Old Realistic 40ch CB:2' Firestik II:Arizona Rocky Road tailgate antenna mount Next : Jeeperman rear bumper '06 Candy Orange Honda Shadow Spirit 750

09-12-2005, 11:57 AM	#3
TJVigilante Web Wheeler Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Alaska Posts: 1,275 Profile Gallery Classifieds My Jeeps	Not to be rude or anything, but it doesn't take much to pull the t-case lever up one notch to 4WD in case you encounter some nasty snow. Besides, RWD is a little better when driving because you don't have the understeer you get in AWD/4WD; all you do is spin, but you stay on the road. It's also easy to fight your way out of an oversteer situation than it is to stop plowing into a ditch 2 feet to your right.