I do a lot of back-country highway driving up in NY state during the winter on icy/snowy roads. Before the winter months begin up here in the Northeast (even though it's been in the mid-60's up here for the past week), I'd like to get something straight about the speeds at which I can shift into and cruise at in 4 wheel drive.

I believe Jeep says you can shift the KJ into 4x4 full or part time up to 55mph. Okay, so it's safe for me to shift below 55mph, but can I travel faster than 55 once I have shifted into 4 wheel drive? I've got Selec-Trac WITHOUT a trac-lock differential... if that's even important.

Appreciate the input... thanks.

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- 2005 Liberty Renegade -
Pre-Lowered Springs + Spacers
Rancho RSX Shocks & Struts
255/70/R16 Toyo Open Country A/T
K&N Aircharger Intake
Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust
Full Skids / Rock Rails
DrawTite Class III Hitch
PIAA Heads & Fogs
AutoMate Remote Start

It's up to 70 but I don't know why you would want to be going 70.


Parakeet

_________________
Oh MAN I got NATURE on my Jeep.
05 KJ Renny that took the bad economy bullet

89 XJ that thinks tax time is Christmas

I will have another KJ I promise.

70? Ive never seen anywhere that says its 70mph? I try to stay below 45mph when shifting. Any yes, its ok to go faster than 55mph while in 4wd. Just make sure you do not use part-time on black-top. Its ok to use Full-time on dry black-top though..

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LOST KJ'S
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Current Jeep: 2004 Jeep Liberty
-Atlantic Blue
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Lost #007082
http://www.cardomain.com/id/jeepjeepster

No I'm sorry that wasn't clear. The max speed in 4wd is 70. Shift into 4wd is 55. Shifting into 4lo is 2mph or so while in neutral.


Parakeet

_________________
Oh MAN I got NATURE on my Jeep.
05 KJ Renny that took the bad economy bullet

89 XJ that thinks tax time is Christmas

I will have another KJ I promise.

It seems to me that if you can drive safely over 40 mph, you don't need to be in 4 wheel drive. At least in ice and snow.

_________________
2006 Liberty Sport 4x4 Black
Just getting started
My other truck is a diesel

But one might want to hit that mud puddle at 70 for the extra flinging distance. LOL I tend to agree with the rule "If you need 4wd then you really shouldn't be go anywhere close to 55 or 70." Now if I was going to cruise Baja, maybe I'd hit 70mph, but as I cruise the dirt back roads and then snow covered roads in the winter "not gonna do it....wouldn't be prudent"

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Brian, Blue KJ in PA
LOST#99, Mid-Atlantic LOST
Blue 2003 KJ Sport

RL Super Skinks

You're right... that makes sense. It's more of a precautionary measure if I were to be in 4WD at those high speeds. And I guess I'm just curious... just in case.

_________________
- 2005 Liberty Renegade -
Pre-Lowered Springs + Spacers
Rancho RSX Shocks & Struts
255/70/R16 Toyo Open Country A/T
K&N Aircharger Intake
Magnaflow Cat-Back Exhaust
Full Skids / Rock Rails
DrawTite Class III Hitch
PIAA Heads & Fogs
AutoMate Remote Start

I thought that when you are in Full Time 4WD (All Wheel Drive) not 4 hi you could go as fast as you wanted. The only difference between that and 2WD is the gears for the front drive shaft in the T-Case are spinning. Don't the axles, front Diff gears, and front drive shaft all spin in 2WD any way?

Now 4 hi is a different story because it locks the center diff spinning the rear and the front at the same speed, and causes wheel hop when turning which can be very dangerous at high speeds, not to mention very bad for the 4WD components.

I could be wrong. Just curious.

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2002 Red KJ Limited, Off-Road Package, Trac-Loc Rear, Manik Brush Guard, PIAA Fog Lights
Boulder Bars, Rusty's 2.5" Coil Lift, JBA UCA's Gen 4.5, General Grabber AT2's 245/75/R16
Original Lost Member# 000507

Nah I've heard opposite....if you read the manual...in 4WD lo you can't exceed 25mph or you can blow the transfer case...thats why its smart to use 1 and 2 gear w/ Lo...if you have an auto tran. Now in 4WD high thats a different story...because it's part time you can exceed 25 mph or up to 70 or however much you want to...but like others have said....why 70 w/ 4WD? Thats askin for some dangerous conditions! I wouldn't suggest trying to put it in part time (Hi) over 25...doesn't sound too good! I stop when I engage in Hi...Im not taking any chances! And remember to put in neutral when shifting to Lo...you'd be surprised how many people DONT know this! I've seen waaay to many people throw it into 4WD Lo w/ out using Neutral to shift there. Hard on the case!

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

Thats for a Command-Trac...I'm not sure about you Selec-Trac people...I'd think its the same but not completely sure. I have the Command-Trac...couldn't find a Selec-Trac in my area so I had to settle w/ it. I'm used to it...but it'd be nice to have 4WD on all the time.

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

shifting your rig in and out of 4hi stopped is hard on it. There are no sycros in the transfer case. It helps to have the Jeep rolling about 2 or 3 miles an hour and 4lo slips right in. With 4h though it's hard on the transfer case to shift in and out of while stopped. It's designed so that you can slip in and out of it as needed up to speeds of 55mph. People are amazed at how easy my KJ slips in and out of 4hi or 4lo.

Parakeet

_________________
Oh MAN I got NATURE on my Jeep.
05 KJ Renny that took the bad economy bullet

89 XJ that thinks tax time is Christmas

I will have another KJ I promise.

Didn't know that about Hi settings...hmmm...I'll have to watch that next time. I find that its better when you pull it back fast so it clicks in and doesn't make that terrible grinding sound! I rarely ever use 4 Hi..or I haven't as of yet...maybe in snow and what not...but when I'm wheelin' its all in LO.

You have Selec-Trac or Command?

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02' Frankenlifted White Sport on 31" TrXus M/Ts

89' 2 Dr. Khaki XJ- Waggy 44's, 4.88s, 35's, 3-link on 5.5" coils.

I have the select track. I live on the KS/Mo border and weather can go from sunny and 65 to 6in. of snow quickly. Often as you go from KS to MO roads the snow removal quality deminishes quite quickly. I usually will shift into 4hi upon crossing the state line and only run 40 at the absolute most in snowy conditions. I do run in 4hi during the Midwest summer torentual downpours conditions depending. I will pull it out of 4hi when I reach a parking lot and it's just raining. But on the highway depending on conditions and speeds I will pull it in and out of 4hi should I need it and not feel guilty about hurting the transfer case.

Parakeet

_________________
Oh MAN I got NATURE on my Jeep.
05 KJ Renny that took the bad economy bullet

89 XJ that thinks tax time is Christmas

I will have another KJ I promise.

If you're travelling at highway speeds (I'd say 50mph and higher) using 4wd is only going to reduce your gas mileage. At those speeds you couldn't possibly put enough torque to the ground to cause wheel spin, and contrary to popular belief, 4wd does not help you slow down. You only have 4 wheels and 4 brakes, just like every other car on the road.

Don't believe me that there's no benefit to 4wd at high speeds? Go look at trophy trucks (100+ mph offroad.) they're all rear-wheel drive only. If 4wd would do them any good they'd use it.

_________________
Jeremy - Aurora, CO
L.O.S.T. #0

Future:
2016 Hydro Blue JK Unlimited Rubicon Hard Rock

Previous:
2012 Flame Red JK Unlimited Rubicon - Sold!
2012 Flame Red JK Unlimited Rubicon - Dealer buyback
2003 Silver KJ Freedom 4x4 - Sold!
32s, Frankenlift, BBars, onboard air, dirt.
KJ EVIC Install

I frequently use 4wd on the I in heavy rain or light snow. All I can say is try it. If you have better control use it. If not don't.



In rain/light snow you can hit short sections of low traction. 4wd can prevent the car fram breaking loose and spinning.



The only "tests"I've ever seen are from speed to 0 on dry pavement. Not real road conditions. 4wd can help maintain control in marginal/spotty conditions.



Who cares about what racers are doing off-road when you're making decissions about driving on-road. 2 totally different circumstances and reasons for using 4wd.

Just MO based on my personal experiences..

Full Time 4WD is on the selec-trac transfer case, I wasn't talking about 4 lo.
4WD lo you're right not to go any faster than about 25 mph.
4WD hi unless the conditions were really bad i wouldn't be runnning any higher than about 40 mph

Full Time 4WD on a Selec-trac T-case, which is basically what subarus and other all wheel drive vehicles have, I don't worry about driving that on the freeway rain or dry or snow or whatever. In fact I prefer that over 4hi in most on road situations.

Shifting speeds
45mph or less from 2WD to 4WD Hi or 4WD full time(selec-trac).
2 or 3 mph and transmission in Neutral to shift from any to 4WD lo.

Stopping, brakes are brakes regarless of 4WD being in 4WD will not help you slow faster. On that note if you are in 4WD and letting the transmission do the slowing than yes you have more tracking using all 4 wheels but braking with override any and all of that slowing.

_________________
2002 Red KJ Limited, Off-Road Package, Trac-Loc Rear, Manik Brush Guard, PIAA Fog Lights
Boulder Bars, Rusty's 2.5" Coil Lift, JBA UCA's Gen 4.5, General Grabber AT2's 245/75/R16
Original Lost Member# 000507

I dont know about the liberty but when it is snowy out our tracker stops much better with more control in 4wd than it does in 2wd. I think that when you are in 4wd the other tires that have traction and are turning will help prevent a tire from locking up completely, of course the tracker does not have abs. With 4 wheel abs it probably wont make a difference at all. One other thing to consider, especially at low speeds (in parking lot, or coming up to stop sign) if it seems like you just arent going to be able to stop, try putting it in neutral. With the engine idling in gear it can push enough to make stops take much longer. I would say with the CRD it would be even worse.

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It may be that your only purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others.

06 CRD Sport
Built 5/11/06
Jeep Green
Rocklizard diff cover
V6 Airbox