Shifting Issue into 4WD

[CerOf]

my experience in last 2 winters: on unplowed forest roads... shifting into 4H easy .. shifting into 4L works best in neutral.

To shift to 4lo it is ***a requirement*** that the transmission be in neutral.

Sponsored

 

[TrailHiker]

You are supposed to shift into neutral before shifting the transfer case to 4L, per the JT manual. I find shifting into 4H works best with engine in low RPMs, and coasting at 5-10 mph.
cheers.

 

[Rocksalt]

You are supposed to shift into neutral before shifting the transfer case to 4L, per the JT manual. I find shifting into 4H works best with engine in low RPMs, and coasting at 5-10 mph.
cheers.

agreed with 4LO.. 4HI can be engaged up to 55mph as per owners manual and my experience

 

[Blade1668]

I drive a gravel road and every week or so I shift in to 4 hi for a few miles and back to 2wd, first few times it was stiff shifting. Not so much now. I had the plastic connector on my XJ fail many years ago I just drilled the linkage on T-case and lacing wired it. That plastic clip I might want to pick up a spare after reading this while it's available. Hmm could be a interesting project for casting out of metal too.

 

[domingjm]

So is there a consensus on the protocol for 4H and 4L when NOT moving? I was on some steep rocks today in 2H. Sand started giving way unexpectedly and my rear end was sliding left toward a ravine with no forward motion. It was getting pretty sketchy. I absolutely needed my front wheels, preferably in 4L. How do I get to 4L IMMEDIATELY from a stop in this situation? I'm not gonna lie, it was a little scary. I definitely should have researched this before going out there.

Edit: "consensus" is the wrong word, implying that opinions are relevant here. How does one get to 4L at a stop?

 

[Summitsearcher]

So is there a consensus on the protocol for 4H and 4L when NOT moving? I was on some steep rocks today in 2H. Sand started giving way unexpectedly and my rear end was sliding left toward a ravine with no forward motion. It was getting pretty sketchy. I absolutely needed my front wheels, preferably in 4L. How do I get to 4L IMMEDIATELY from a stop in this situation? I'm not gonna lie, it was a little scary. I definitely should have researched this before going out there.

Edit: "consensus" is the wrong word, implying that opinions are relevant here. How does one get to 4L at a stop?

The same way, set E brake, place trans in neutral, place trans in drive and hope you don’t ? yourself in the process. The real answer the “Confucius” want to know is why did you wait so long to use 4WD?

 

[domingjm]

The same way, set E brake, place trans in neutral, place trans in drive and hope you don’t ? yourself in the process. The real answer the “Confucius” want to know is why did you wait so long to use 4WD?

Shitty driving technique.

 

[NachoRuby]

So is there a consensus on the protocol for 4H and 4L when NOT moving? I was on some steep rocks today in 2H. Sand started giving way unexpectedly and my rear end was sliding left toward a ravine with no forward motion. It was getting pretty sketchy. I absolutely needed my front wheels, preferably in 4L. How do I get to 4L IMMEDIATELY from a stop in this situation? I'm not gonna lie, it was a little scary. I definitely should have researched this before going out there.

Edit: "consensus" is the wrong word, implying that opinions are relevant here. How does one get to 4L at a stop?

4hi - just shift it
4lo - Works for me if I put it in neutral for a second and then back in gear. But mine's Manual. Auto might be the same.

 

[dcmdon]

If you are going straight down the highway, shift it into gear for a few minutes then back out.

At highway speeds you will never be turning sharp enough to cause binding.

Mine goes in easily at any speed. Its a mechanical kind of movement. Not unlike shifting a steering column mounted shifter from park into drive on an old car.

 

[dcmdon]

So is there a consensus on the protocol for 4H and 4L when NOT moving? I was on some steep rocks today in 2H. Sand started giving way unexpectedly and my rear end was sliding left toward a ravine with no forward motion. It was getting pretty sketchy. I absolutely needed my front wheels, preferably in 4L. How do I get to 4L IMMEDIATELY from a stop in this situation? I'm not gonna lie, it was a little scary. I definitely should have researched this before going out there.

Edit: "consensus" is the wrong word, implying that opinions are relevant here. How does one get to 4L at a stop?

Put it in 4H before you go off road.

or do what I did and get a truck with SelectTrac and leave it in 4H Auto almost all the time.

 

[domingjm]

Put it in 4H before you go off road.

or do what I did and get a truck with SelectTrac and leave it in 4H Auto almost all the time.

What in the world???

 

[NachoRuby]

or do what I did and get a truck with SelectTrac and leave it in 4H Auto almost all the time.

He's got a diesel, so that's not an option. However, 4hi should easily shift, all the time, moving or not.

For 4Lo, usually I shift the transmission to neutral for a second, then back in gear, then shift the transfer case. It goes right in, even if I'm not moving, every time that way. I'm manual, but I think that would be the same, even on the Auto.

 

[NachoRuby]

What in the world???

The gasser has a full time 4wd transfer case as an option on the automatic transmission. Diesels and manuals don't get this option.

 

[PlayfulBird]

This nubbin part that is prone to breaking linked on the first page, does it make sense to carrry one of those as a spare?

If so does anyone have a part number and install instrructions?

Thank you so much.

As to the shifting in 4L, if I go over 3mph (i get up to 5mph shift it to N and then wait a second for speed to drop) it grinds like i shifted without a clutch (just a comparison it is an automatic).

Works fine though. Love the low range feel of the gladiator.

 

[domingjm]

He's got a diesel, so that's not an option. However, 4hi should easily shift, all the time, moving or not.

For 4Lo, usually I shift the transmission to neutral for a second, then back in gear, then shift the transfer case. It goes right in, even if I'm not moving, every time that way. I'm manual, but I think that would be the same, even on the Auto.

I don't think he was responding to my question.

Sponsored