First road trip questions

KJSphinx · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:20 pm

I just got my KJ about three weeks ago, and I have been spoiling it ever since, driving around town only, not speeding, and parking it at the far end of parking lots. So now it's time for my first road trip, about a 3.5 hour drive, so it's not that far, but it'll be the longest I've driven it so far.

Before I hit the road, I had a few questions that most seasoned KJ owners should know:

1. Where is the jack for the tire? Is it underneath the spare wheel cover?

2. The KJ has been in 2WD since I bought it, but it has the Selec-Trac Full-time 4WD option, when should I use it? When it starts raining hard, or during any rain/wet pavement? Or is it not even worth it in the rain?

3. I think it mentions this in the owner's manual, but just to be sure, is it true that I can shift from 2WD to Full-time 4WD while in motion (i.e. while cruising down the highway if it starts raining bad)?

Let me know if there is anything else I should know before hitting the road; I'm checking the oil and tire pressure before we leave, but if there is anything else I should check or keep an eye on, please do tell.

Thank you in advance.

priell3 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:38 pm

KJSphinx wrote:

I just got my KJ about three weeks ago, and I have been spoiling it ever since, driving around town only, not speeding, and parking it at the far end of parking lots. So now it's time for my first road trip, about a 3.5 hour drive, so it's not that far, but it'll be the longest I've driven it so far.

Before I hit the road, I had a few questions that most seasoned KJ owners should know:

1. Where is the jack for the tire? Is it underneath the spare wheel cover?

Under the rear seat.

2. The KJ has been in 2WD since I bought it, but it has the Selec-Trac Full-time 4WD option, when should I use it? When it starts raining hard, or during any rain/wet pavement? Or is it not even worth it in the rain?

Wet pavement, rain, light snow or when you need better traction on loose surfaces.

3. I think it mentions this in the owner's manual, but just to be sure, is it true that I can shift from 2WD to Full-time 4WD while in motion (i.e. while cruising down the highway if it starts raining bad)?

It's best to be going slow when shifting, taking your foot off the gas while doing so.

Let me know if there is anything else I should know before hitting the road; I'm checking the oil and tire pressure before we leave, but if there is anything else I should check or keep an eye on, please do tell.

Thank you in advance.

Se7enLC · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:38 pm

KJSphinx wrote:

1. Where is the jack for the tire? Is it underneath the spare wheel cover?

Under the rear passenger side seat in mine. Not sure if it was different in 02, but check there

Quote:

2. The KJ has been in 2WD since I bought it, but it has the Selec-Trac Full-time 4WD option, when should I use it? When it starts raining hard, or during any rain/wet pavement? Or is it not even worth it in the rain?

I have commandtrac, so I don't have the full-time 4wd option, and I use the part-time 4wd in heavy rain even. Definitely use fulltime 4wd anytime the conditions are questionable. It's a heavy rear-wheel-drive truck, so it's nice to have power coming from the front, too, when it gets slippery.

Quote:

3. I think it mentions this in the owner's manual, but just to be sure, is it true that I can shift from 2WD to Full-time 4WD while in motion (i.e. while cruising down the highway if it starts raining bad)?

yes, so long as you are doing < 55mph when you switch into 4wd. I believe you need to go into neutral first, I'm not sure. Check the Jeep.com page under jeep life or games, I believe - they have some pretty good shockwave games/trivia questions that basically give you a situation and ask you which gear is right and how to do it. It's pretty cool to learn it.

priell3 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:46 pm

Se7enLC wrote:

I believe you need to go into neutral first, I'm not sure.

Only when shifting into 4LO and at a speed of 2-3 mph.

CarNutCertifies · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 12:52 pm

I have an 02 the jack is under the rear seat on the pass side. i have shifted mine in and out of 4hi going less than 55 miles per hour. If you still have your owner manual you might look through it to learn about your KJ. My owners manual was located in the slot in the glove compartment.

KJSphinx · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 1:20 pm

Thank you gentlemen very much, I had looked through the manual but some of the wording can be confusing. But you've reassured me through your responses. I'll post again if I have any other questions between now and the trip.

You all have some incredible KJs, I've been browsing the pics through the links in your signatures. Very good stuff.

Thanks again.

Tokyojoe · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 2:31 pm

KJSphinx,

Take the time and look all over your beautiful KJ. See where things are located and read the manual.

This is very important for any KJ owner....especially for your 4x4 use.

Read and read....manual and what is on LOST forums. Soak everything in like a sponge. Use the search capabilities.

This is how I learned about my KJ.

LibertyN8 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:31 pm

Hey, something about your jack. the lugwrench sucks. i bent mine the first time i used it. you need the wrench to operated the jack but i would recommend getting a breaker bar and socket for the lugs.

Talon 1 · **Posted:** Tue Sep 27, 2005 8:34 pm

Quote:

and parking it at the far end of parking lots.

Over a year later, and I`m still doing this...

Trails scratches & dents I can handle. Dings from a moron in a parking lot boils me to no end... :evil:

FreedomKJ · **Posted:** Wed Sep 28, 2005 8:39 pm

The manual says no higher than 55 when shifting into 4hi or 4 fulltime, but I'd recommend no higher than 45, just to be on the safe side. Also only shift into or out of 4wd while travelling in a straight line, never while turning.

You can run in 4wd at highway speeds, but the only thing you'll do is waste gas. The KJ's engine doesn't develop near enough torque to spin the tires at highway speeds, and 4wd will not help you stop faster. 4wd helps when you are accelerating and/or climbing.

bighause · **Posted:** Thu Sep 29, 2005 9:30 am

Generally, if the road conditions require four wheel drive you shouldn't be going faster that 55 anyways. It defenitly helps on slippery roads around town to have it in full time, with the tracklock it likes to get a little sideways around corners.

First road trip questions

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