Part-Time, Full-Time 4?

[kb0nly]

Can someone explain this better than the manual? The only 4x4 vehicles i have owned in the past were old Chevy trucks and only a 4x4 indicator on the dash.

When i shift it to 4HI it shows Part-Time on the dash. Is it correct to assume then that 4LO is Full-Time?

I just didn't get the part reading the manual.

I realize like other 4x4's you can shift into 4HI while moving, but do you stop to get into 4LO on the KJ or what? The old Chevy i had you could shift into 4HI on the fly but you needed to come to a complete stop to shift from 4HI to 4LO.

I can't get my KJ to go to Neutral or 4LO. It does go into 4HI though. Perhaps i'm doing something wrong.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

4-LO is NOT full time....

To get into N or 4lo, engage the ****** into N, and coast at about 3-5mph, and then shift into n or 4lo, and you will have to jiggle the lever a bit.

 

[kb0nly]

Ok, so whats the Part Time and Full Time stuff then?? How do you get it into Full Time 4HI??

Thanks!

 

[ChiefRudy]

Ok, so whats the Part Time and Full Time stuff then?? How do you get it into Full Time 4HI??

Thanks!

Part time = a Normal 4hi 50/50 split between front and rear axles. Can't be used on dry payment. Only snow,mud, durt, loose terrian etc. 4hi is shift on the fly below 55mpg.

Full time = a 4hi with a 60/40 (I think?) split between the front and rear. Allows for diffierent wheel speeds between front and rear. This also makes it possible to use on Dry payment and to be left on no matter what the road conditions are. This is also shift on the fly.

Full time is Jeeps Labeling for "all wheel drive".

4lo = Just like 4hi part time except the gearing is multiplied by 2.72:1. this allows for more traction. Can only be used at low speeds and usually only need for extreme conditions. To shift into 4lo follow wjkj instructions.



If your KJ has full time 4Hi. It will say full time on your T-case shift knob along with part-time 4hi. I think the labeling goes 2 wheel - 4hi part time - 4hi full time - N - 4Lo.
If It's labeled 2 wheel - 4Hi - N - 4lo then you don't have full time.


I think that covers the basics.

 

[kb0nly]

Ok, thanks guys for the great explanation!

What got me really wondering is the manual said Part-Time and Full-Time but i couldn't figure it out in the vehicle. Didn't know there was different transfer cases available and it would have Part and Full on the shifter.

Sorry for the likely NOOB question, but i haven't owned a 4x4 since i left the farm 10 years ago! And they weren't that complicated back then, at least not that i remember! LOL

 

[JeepJeepster]

On the lever that you pull to put it into 4wd, does it have a 'full time option?' Sounds like you have the part-time transfer case which is why your confused. It can only be used 'part of the time' and cannot be used on hard surfaces... Such as concrete, asphalt, etc. Only use that in deep snow, on gravel, in mud, etc.

 

[Jeepman56]

Better to ask and understand then to guess and break stuff. If you want a visual indicator of what was just described above go to Jeep.com in the 4x4 basic section click on the How Jeep 4x4 Systems work tab and you will see when and how to engage the proper drive system.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Better to ask and understand then to guess and break stuff. If you want a visual indicator of what was just described above go to Jeep.com in the 4x4 basic section click on the How Jeep 4x4 Systems work tab and you will see when and how to engage the proper drive system.

I don't think they have our 4x4 systems up anymore.....Command Trac, yes, but it's for the JK and that uses a shifter, not a lever.

 

[ChiefRudy]

Ok, thanks guys for the great explanation!

What got me really wondering is the manual said Part-Time and Full-Time but i couldn't figure it out in the vehicle. Didn't know there was different transfer cases available and it would have Part and Full on the shifter.

Sorry for the likely NOOB question, but i haven't owned a 4x4 since i left the farm 10 years ago! And they weren't that complicated back then, at least not that i remember! LOL

No Problem. That's what we are here for.

 

[RenegadeJay]

JeepJeepster are you telling me that my Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System (as specified on my build sheet) is completely useless during a Chicago snow storm in January?? Do I need to move to a more rural area that still uses the old dirt roads for it to be worth while? April/May rain storms should work.

 

[Powerslave]

Part time is exactly for THAT, not for dry road conditions, or even wet. It is only to be used when you are going to lose traction due to a slippery condition:

Dirt, Sand, Mud, Gravel, Snow, Ice...

You cannot run it full time, it will damage the transfer case. A person here (in a post with pictures), accidentally left theirs in 4hi part time, and when they hit 70Mph, it blew apart.

 

[Marlon_JB2]

JeepJeepster are you telling me that my Command-Trac Part Time 4WD System (as specified on my build sheet) is completely useless during a Chicago snow storm in January?? Do I need to move to a more rural area that still uses the old dirt roads for it to be worth while? April/May rain storms should work.

Oh its just fine for snow. I used my Command-Trac all the time in these Michigan Winters.

Its just when the pavement starts getting dry... you might want to shift out to avoid binding up the drivetrain.

Oh and BTW: The Full-Time 4WD torque split is 52% Rear, 48% Front.

 

[TruLiberty]

Part time is exactly for THAT, not for dry road conditions, or even wet. It is only to be used when you are going to lose traction due to a slippery condition:

Dirt, Sand, Mud, Gravel, Snow, Ice...

You cannot run it full time, it will damage the transfer case. A person here (in a post with pictures), accidentally left theirs in 4hi part time, and when they hit 70Mph, it blew apart.

so you can shift to it up to 50 mph but dont go much faster than that huh

 

[twack]

I know my kj has seen 70 mph with the part time on. My mom owned the car before me and i know she left that on nearly all winter

 

[Marlon_JB2]

I know my kj has seen 70 mph with the part time on. My mom owned the car before me and i know she left that on nearly all winter

I had an aunt leave the Part-Time 4WD on all winter in her Durango too. Amazingly, she never had any issues, even after 70k miles!!!

 

[tjkj2002]

Oh and BTW: The Full-Time 4WD torque split is 52% Rear, 48% Front.

Actually it varies the torque split since it has a non-controlled center diff.

 

[JeepJeepster]

Ive always read that its a 52/48 split but Ive never known how or why they said that. We know the front diff spins a tad faster, maybe thats why they say that.

 

[Powerslave]

so you can shift to it up to 50 mph but dont go much faster than that huh

In the case presented here in the forums, he started out in part time, and when he hit 70, on DRY pavement, it blew apart. The part-time transfer cases are not as strong as the full-time ones either.

The book says you can shift on the fly from 0-55MPH. Also, I think that going faster than 55Mph in four wheel drive, IN slippery conditions, is kind of counter productive anyway. Nothing will save you if you start to slide or skid on snow or ice at that speed.

 

[Dave]

In the case presented here in the forums, he started out in part time, and when he hit 70, on DRY pavement, it blew apart. The part-time transfer cases are not as strong as the full-time ones either.

The book says you can shift on the fly from 0-55MPH. Also, I think that going faster than 55Mph in four wheel drive, IN slippery conditions, is kind of counter productive anyway. Nothing will save you if you start to slide or skid on snow or ice at that speed.

It is the other way around. The 231 part-time t-case is actually stronger. It is either locked up......or not.

The 242 (selec-trac full time t-case) just has an open diff position to let the axles spin independantly which allows operation on all surfaces without binding. Good for driving on roads where there is patchy snow and such.

Dave

 

[JeepJeepster]

The part-time transfer cases are not as strong as the full-time ones either.

Becareful about that. Some will disagree with you but thats what Ive read on other forums.