Hey all, well since the snow has fallen here in toronto ive noticed that my jk is incredible while 4H in the snow with stock duelers. Doesnt slip all that often and im thinking to leave it 4x4 always even when dry or in summer time. My question is other than more fuel consumption which is a given, does leaving our trucks in 4h cause more stress on ie tranny, brakes, tires, etc. Are these trucks meant to be left in 4h all the time or is better to use 4H when only needed. Thanks, i ccould use some insight!

 

I would suggest reading the use of 4X4 in the Jeeps manual. It actually gives quite a bit of info.

You can only use 4 wheel drive when you have some slippery conditions. If you use it on dry pavement you will hear and feel binding and popping and you will do damage to your drivetrain.

 

I find 2WD is adaquite in the JK for just about any road conditions. My drive to work this morning was nothing short of extreme, with blowing snow and -20C temps; and I was able to go 90km (visablity permitting) the whole way. ESP didn't even come on after I climbed my steep and snowy driveway. In fact I've never seen it come on at highway speeds, even when driving on snow.

But if you are unsure a new transfer case will be better than getting into an accident however.

The rule = I see pavement I use 2WD, while watching my speed.

 

You'll definitely break something if you leave it in 4wd on surfaces with traction. In 4wd, the tires need to slip a little, as they travel different distances in corners. Without the slip, stress is transferred to the expensive parts!

I'm sure someone else can post a more technical explanation. Suffice it to say "4wd only when the tires can slip."

 

ok cool so basically 4X4 in dry conditions is not good? Ive driven a car all my life, never had this luxery lol

 

4wd on paved roads is a big NO NO. Only if you're going in a straight line, but then again, there's no need for it.

AWD vehicles have added differentials up front. Our 4wd wranglers don't. They rely on loose or slippery terrain to offset the tires wanting to spin at the same speed (I.E. the terrain is your differential).

If you're gutsy enough, take it into a dry parking lot at YOUR OWN DISCRETION (I'm not reliable for any damage done). Pop it into 4H, get up to a very slow speed, and turn the wheel... You'll feel the Jeep bucking, and probably hear a good deal of Whining and grinding. She doesn't like it....

 

What ours are missing that AWDs have is a CENTER differential, usually located inside the T-case. It usually uses a viscous (fluid) coupling that allows for some speed differentiation between the front driveshaft and the rear driveshaft.

 

DON'T USE 4H ALL THE TIME!!!!!

On a side note - if you're driving on ice, it's not going to matter what you are in - once you lose control, you're sliding.

 

If you run 4wd there is binding if your tires do not have the ability to slip. This tends to cause broken axleshafts, transfer cases, etc... it always will find the weakest point in the system. 4wd may help to get you going compared to 2wd, but it doesn't help you stop. We had an ice storm last weekend, and I never once used 4wd on my Jeep, other than to get it going ocasionally at a stoplight.

 

hmm, interesting. The only reason i ask is that i like how much stable and beasty the ride is having 4x4. I guess i wont use it on dry, thank god i asked now in 20cm of snow and not next august!!!!! LOL