newbie 4wd question

[JeepOwner07]

so tonight for the first time since i bought my libby, i used my 4wd, very icey out tonight ( i noticed that when in 4wd Hi my turning radius seemed to be drastically reduced i was trying to maneuver into and out of a driveway and with the wheel all the way to either side it felt like it was a flat tire (pulling) and you could here the power steering, is this NORMAL?

also the 4wd indicator showed "PART TIME" can someone explain this. I'm sorry if any of this sounds dumb like i stated NEWBIE! thanks in advance

 

[tommudd]

yes it will fill that way, not a good idea to do that as well, both tires are trying to turn at the same speed. I take it that this is the first 4WD ? Read the manual well!

 

[RageOfFury]

The KJ Liberty has 2 4WD transfer cases. Here is a better explanation of both:

COMMAND-TRAC™
The Command-Trac™ transfer case is the heart of the Command-Trac™ part-time 4WD system. When engaged, both front and rear driveshafts are locked by a chain and gearset, which always turn at the same speed, forming a single drive unit. This is a rigid connection that does not allow for any differential action between front and rear driveshafts. Normal front-to-rear differences in the turning radii of the wheels (when cornering) are compensated for only through wheel slippage on driving surfaces. This transfer case allows for 2WD, 4WD High-Range and Low-Range as well as Neutral.

2 HIGH:
• Front axle spins freely
• Power sent to rear wheel
4 HIGH:
• Shift-on-the-Fly at speeds up to 88 km/h (55 mph)
• Front and rear drive shafts lock together and rotate at the same speed
• Only use on slippery or loose surfaces
NEUTRAL:
• Use for towing your Jeep ® vehicle behind another vehicle
• Does not require uncoupling driveshafts
4 LO:
• Use for severe off-road situations
• Increases available engine torque by 2.72:1
• Slow speed to 3-5 km/h (2-3 mph), put transmission in Neutral
• Engage 4 LO and return transmission to desired gear

SELEC-TRAC™
The Selec-Trac™ transfer case is the heart of the Selec-Trac™ 4WD system. The difference is its Open-Centre Differential. In the 4 part-time position, this differential is locked and the system operates the same as Command-Trac™. In the 4 full-time position, the centre differential is open and allows the front and rear axles to rotate at different speeds when turning corners on high-traction surfaces or while driving over any kind of road surface. The Selec-Trac™ transfer case delivers the added convenience of not having to shift back-and-forth between 2WD and 4WD.

2 WHEEL DRIVE:
• Front axle spins freely
• Power sent to rear wheels
4 PART TIME:
• High-range, for temporary conditions that require extra traction
• Locks centre differential; all four wheels rotate in unison
• Not to be used on dry pavement
4 FULL TIME:
• High-range, for year-round traction, wet or dry
• Centre differential allows the front and rear axle to rotate at different speeds
NEUTRAL:
• Use for towing your Jeep® vehicle behind another vehicle
• Does not require uncoupling driveshafts
4LO:
• Use for severe off-road situations
• Increases available engine torque by 2.72:1
• Slow speed to 3-5 km/h (2-3 mph), put transmission in Neutral
• Engage 4 LO and return transmission to desired gear

 

[Midgear]

I can't explain the wheel binding that you were experiencing, but yes it is normal-

PART TIME.. means what it says, it shouldn't be used all the time, like on dry pavement or concreat- it should be used on slippery roads / horrible weather conditions, or while off roading, or on gravel roads.

EDIT: Read the COMMAND TRAC section above ^

" Normal front-to-rear differences in the turning radii of the wheels (when cornering) are compensated for only through wheel slippage on driving surfaces. "

 

[JeepOwner07]

yes it will fill that way, not a good idea to do that as well, both tires are trying to turn at the same speed. I take it that this is the first 4WD ? Read the manual well!

Not a good idea to do that? all i was trying to do was back in and out of a tight confined space

 

[JeepOwner07]

thanks guys for the info at least now i know it was not a problem, and yes i have had 1 4wd vehicle before, however i dare not even tell you what it was for fear of ridicule haha

 

[RageOfFury]

thanks guys for the info at least now i know it was not a problem, and yes i have had 1 4wd vehicle before, however i dare not even tell you what it was for fear of ridicule haha

Lada Niva?

 

[Ry' N Jen]

Lada Niva?

A friend of mine who sells used Humvee's...
His daily driver is a Lada Niva which he bought new!
It keeps up with well prepared off road Suzuki Samurai's.

 

[LibertyTC]

Jeepowner07,
I guess no one has given you the warning about the command trac (part time) locking it in 4 wheel drive and turning. I know this is not going to sound right but unless you have a selec trac (fulltime system) you can can break the cv's/ transfer case, just by going from snow onto drive pavement in a turn !!! These 4 WD systems lock the 4 wheels together and were made for sand, mud, loose gravel and snow, where the wheels could slip freely while locked. You are better to not use the 4wd unless you are on the surfaces mentioned above. Binding in a turn on dry surfaces aint good for your jeep with Command Trac and learning the hard way gets expensive real quick.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Unless you have 4 full time, shouldn't use 4 HI/PT on dry surfaces...

 

[04Liberty]

How feasible is it to swap from command trac to selec trac?

 

[Midgear]

I'm not trying to threadjack here, but what about hardpacked dirt.. ?

 

[ridenby]

thanks guys for the info at least now i know it was not a problem, and yes i have had 1 4wd vehicle before, however i dare not even tell you what it was for fear of ridicule haha

We drive Libertys,mall crawlers,mom mobiles,if you fear ridicule you picked wrong again.rofl2.gif

 

[tjkj2002]

I'm not trying to threadjack here, but what about hardpacked dirt.. ?

I wouldn't since you can get more traction on packed dirt then asphalt.

Oh and wet paved roads(raining out) is not "slippery" enough for part time 4wd.

Also get good tires and 4wd will not be needed in all but the most extreme condition or wheeling.I went all last winter with only 2wd in my KJ and never had a issue getting anywhere I wanted when I wanted.

 

[rockymountain]

I wouldn't since you can get more traction on packed dirt then asphalt.

Oh and wet paved roads(raining out) is not "slippery" enough for part time 4wd.

Also get good tires and 4wd will not be needed in all but the most extreme condition or wheeling.I went all last winter with only 2wd in my KJ and never had a issue getting anywhere I wanted when I wanted.

....and 4x4 is not a substitution for driving skills. You can get most anywhere without 4x4.

 

[Warren.fischbeck]

....and 4x4 is not a substitution for driving skills. You can get most anywhere without 4x4.

Wise words.

 

[sleeve]

The best part about 4x4 is you get stuck where the Tow Truck can not reach you.

 

[RageOfFury]

4x4 enables you to leave a stop sign without spinning for 5 minutes or getting stuck. Last winter was HELL with the crappy Honda Fit I had. This winter though, I'm gonna have fun pulling away from a stop in 5-6 inches of snow without a problem

 

[ptsb5a]

The best part about 4x4 is you get stuck where the Tow Truck can not reach you.

That's why I bring a buddy and bought a winch !! Got stuck alone once, that was enough to learn to never go wheeling on my own.

 

[JeepJeepster]

For those of you that can get anywhere without 4wd then you must live where its all down hill. First hill around here that has snow on it I just sit there and spin. Even with a locker. And no, dont say its b/c of my tires b/c its not.

Common sense will tell you that you need 4wd to get up a hill in the snow.