4wd Question

blakendall

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2006
Location
Raleigh
So I finally got my 98 TJ lifted on Sat. My 16 yo son took it out "muddin" yesterday. He drove it to school today and he says it sounds like it is in 4wd but shows it is in 2wd. I took it out for a spin and it doesn't sound like it/or drives like it is in 4wd. So my question is this should the drive train to the front axle turn if it is not in 4wd bc it is turning now. I haven't ever paid attention to that piece so apologize for the dumb question. I would think it wouldn't turn but could be wrong.
 
Does it have manual lockable hubs?
 
Reach under there and try and turn the front driveshaft with your hand. If it's in 4wd you won't be able to turn it.
 
Thanks I will give that a try in the am. My son put it in reverse and he said he thought it came out of 4wd. Hopefully thatbis the case
 
rattlecanpaint said:
Reach under there and try and turn the front driveshaft with your hand. If it's in 4wd you won't be able to turn it.
Click to expand...

I may be wrong, but I don't think this statement is correct. Even in two wheel drive, the front section of the drivetrain is still connected to the wheels, just not engaged in the transfer case. So even if it is in two wheel drive, you won't be able to turn the driveshaft by hand. Just put it in some stones and hit the gas, you'll know pretty fast.
 
^X2
 
WolfGT said:
I may be wrong, but I don't think this statement is correct. Even in two wheel drive, the front section of the drivetrain is still connected to the wheels, just not engaged in the transfer case. So even if it is in two wheel drive, you won't be able to turn the driveshaft by hand. Just put it in some stones and hit the gas, you'll know pretty fast.
Click to expand...
This is correct. Without manual hubs the front drive shaft will spin while driving but will not be in 4wd.
 
So they don't use a disconnect in the front axle?
 
Jeeps do have a disconnect in the front drive shaft on stock axles (atleast true for my YJ) It is a vaccum activated disconnect. the drive shaft on the drivers side I believe has a break in it in the middle with splines on each side. When it is shifted into 4wd the vaccum slides a collar to connect both sides. Assuming it is an open diff you should be able to turn the drive shaft by hand. OP states "lever beside the stick shift" assuming this is transfer case shifter the transfer case has a switch in it, that when put into 4wd activates the vaccum.
 
Futbalfantic said:
Jeeps do have a disconnect in the front drive shaft on stock axles (atleast true for my YJ) It is a vaccum activated disconnect. the drive shaft on the drivers side I believe has a break in it in the middle with splines on each side. When it is shifted into 4wd the vaccum slides a collar to connect both sides. Assuming it is an open diff you should be able to turn the drive shaft by hand. OP states "lever beside the stick shift" assuming this is transfer case shifter the transfer case has a switch in it, that when put into 4wd activates the vaccum.
Click to expand...

tj's are non-disconnect front axles. His driveshaft won't spin freely.
 
After reading this thread, I had to check my XJ's to be sure. One open (stock) front Dana 30, and one with a locker...both with the non-disconnect sections (like a TJ). I could not turn the front drivesahft and I know they are in 2wd.
If you're not sure, as mentioned before, the best way to convince youself you are in 2wd is to find some dirt or sacrificial grass. Come to a stop, crank the wheel and hammer down :wheel:
 
Futbalfantic said:
Jeeps do have a disconnect in the front drive shaft on stock axles (atleast true for my YJ) It is a vaccum activated disconnect. the drive shaft on the drivers side I believe has a break in it in the middle with splines on each side. When it is shifted into 4wd the vaccum slides a collar to connect both sides. Assuming it is an open diff you should be able to turn the drive shaft by hand. OP states "lever beside the stick shift" assuming this is transfer case shifter the transfer case has a switch in it, that when put into 4wd activates the vaccum.
Click to expand...

with that said....

my grand cherokee has the following on the 2/4wd selector
2wd
part time 4wd
full time 4wd
n
4Lo

does this mean that my cherokee has a "disconnect" on the front, since it has part time 4wd?

i apologize for the thread jack
 
you still have a non disconnect axle you just have a np 242 or a np 249 transfercase. all tj,s, zj,s, xj,s(1990+) have non disconnect d30's. older xj's and the yj's i know have the disconnect d30's. however there are forums to delete yjr disconnect acles using xj shafts and a special axle seal in the pumpkin.
 
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