Changing from 2WD to 4H

Wow! And that is exactly why I moved to the PNW this year. Despite now being utterly broke and struggling thanks to the outrageous cost of living, and now my poor jeep is falling apart. But hey at least nature is free! #priorities 🙂

I feel ya! I moved out here from Arkansas and definitely made some sacrifices, but there's a lot to appreciate! I love it, even if the locals don't understand how to pump gas or who goes at a 4 way stop. At least they're friendly!
 
I feel ya! I moved out here from Arkansas and definitely made some sacrifices, but there's a lot to appreciate! I love it, even if the locals don't understand how to pump gas or who goes at a 4 way stop. At least they're friendly!
I still don't know who goes at a 4 way stop. Have lived in 7 states and it seems to be a "regional thing" 😋
 
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I've not driven a TJ in the snow but my YJ was in 4W Hi for 1/3 of it's life as my daily driver in the greater Spokane WA area. No problem shifting in and out (although it's really not necessary for ever dry patch).

As for the comments on 4WD on ice.... I'd ask them to try 2WD on ice and let me know how that works in a short wheelbase vehicle with no weight over the rear wheels. Of course it helps..... and helps a lot.

The real issues are with it working too well and getting blind to the conditions as stopping is not any better in 4WD and said wheelbase and weight distribution all work against you there.
 
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Yes good points. Obviously too depends on tires and driving skills. I have definitely discovered that the 4H is the only thing preventing major incidents for me so far. I'm being super conscientious about timing braking and turns and it's been great. Unfortunately I have noticed a sort of burning smell after I have traveled and switched from 2 wd to 4h several times during a journey.
 
Yes good points. Obviously too depends on tires and driving skills. I have definitely discovered that the 4H is the only thing preventing major incidents for me so far. I'm being super conscientious about timing braking and turns and it's been great. Unfortunately I have noticed a sort of burning smell after I have traveled and switched from 2 wd to 4h several times during a journey.
Do you have fluid in your transfer case? 🤣
 
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I'd better since I just had maintenance done on it 6 months ago. But I've been screwed before with a place claiming to have done what they were supposed to and didn't
This is going to Segway into my next thread...finding an honest mechanic
 
Shit. Of course. I haven't used my 4h or 4l in a long time. And everything is original, 16 years old. Time to find an honest mechanic

Doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong with the rig.

I caught on that you moved there from flatter states. Don't take offense to this, but are you using your brakes to control your descent in the mountains, or are you downshifting to use engine braking? Brakes will get hot and smell burny.
 
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Doesn't necessarily mean anything is wrong with the rig.

I caught on that you moved there from flatter states. Don't take offense to this, but are you using your brakes to control your descent in the mountains, or are you downshifting to use engine braking? Brakes will get hot and smell burny.
Not offended at all. Coming up here was a harsh reality that I had forgotten how to drive on anything other than flat 😄
So since I have been
here I coast a lot and have been minimizing braking on the snowy roads. Been downshifting slowly and using brakes gently when approaching stop signs, lights and such. I have had to use downshifting occasionally as a means of slowing in sudden areas. Such as "dumbassery" on highways
 
Yes good points. Obviously too depends on tires and driving skills. I have definitely discovered that the 4H is the only thing preventing major incidents for me so far. I'm being super conscientious about timing braking and turns and it's been great. Unfortunately I have noticed a sort of burning smell after I have traveled and switched from 2 wd to 4h several times during a journey.
Well when you fantasize about driving a jeep and pull the Subaru parking brake thinking you are shifting into 4wd… you get the idea
 
There are some strange comments on this one. 4WD is worlds better in snow and ice. Anyone that states differently, I'd question their experience. The wheelbase on these Jeeps is so short that when the rear end kicks out, which happens often, it's VERY hard to control. This makes 4WD the better choice, and especially true with a TJ. Having all 4 wheels turning prevents the ass kicking out (for the most part), the Jeep will still slide but it's a much more predictable and recoverable slide.

I've owned a shit ton of vehicles and the Wrangler is the hardest I've experience to control when screwing around on the back icy roads and parking lots. With a longer wheel base you can easily drift the ass end around without too much effort. In my neck of the woods, any teenager with a pickup truck spends time digging themselves out of snowbanks learning how to drift on snowy roads. Try that with a TJ and you'll be backwards in a snowbank pretty quick. 4WD in snow and icy is a no-brainer correct answer.
 
I've not driven a TJ in the snow but my YJ was in 4W Hi for 1/3 of it's life as my daily driver in the greater Spokane WA area. No problem shifting in and out (although it's really not necessary for ever dry patch).

As for the comments on 4WD on ice.... I'd ask them to try 2WD on ice and let me know how that works in a short wheelbase vehicle with no weight over the rear wheels. Of course it helps..... and helps a lot.

The real issues are with it working too well and getting blind to the conditions as stopping is not any better in 4WD and said wheelbase and weight distribution all work against you there.
Not that it matters for much but the rear axle weight split for a short wheelbase TJ is typically within 1 percentage point of the front.
 
There are some strange comments on this one. 4WD is worlds better in snow and ice. Anyone that states differently, I'd question their experience.
You sure??? I mean, SoCal drivers who've spent their entire life in the desert certainly make a compelling argument for using 2WD exclusively... :ROFLMAO:
 
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