offgridhiker

Im a high school junior and just got my first jeep. A 1994 jeep cherokee four door with a 4.0 strait 6. Here comes the dumbest ? ever posted on this forum:
How do I shift into 4hi and 4lo? The guy I bought it from said I shift into 4hi anytime up to 30 mph. But can I shift into 4hi while sitting still with transmission in 4rive? Can I shift into four hi while in park? Can I shift into four hi while in neutral?
Same question applies to four lo. Can I shift into four lo while driving? While stopped and in park? While in neutral? When do I use four lo and when do I use four hi?
What is the difference between four hi and four lo? What are locking hubs? What is better for me, a four door or two door jeep? I live in Colorado and want to do our local paths and someday the badlands. I only want cherokee. What is the difference between sport, country, classic? Which is best? What is the minimum lift I should put on? What are the easentials I should know about four wheeling? What is the best year cherokee from 1988 to 1997?
Ok now everyone can wipe the tears away and stop holding their stomachs from laughing, and help this noobie out. Any info would be greatly aporeciated so I dont kill my first transmission!!
Happy trails

purplegrocerygogetter

Ha! No its not the dumbest! I HAVE ASKED THIS ALREADY! So there! Neenier neenier! Well at least the 4 hi-lo stuff the rest is common sence... Maybe you could go to the colorado thread, and find someone there that is close to you that can help you out and show u all that stuff.... Just an idea?
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f36/

Atmos

1990-1999 inline 6 are the best years
find out what transfer case you have
if you have part time you cannot use it on dry pavement
4lo only at standstill
sport country etc. are just different trim levels. most people prefer sport

and dont be so hard on yourself in the future. welcome to the forum

mdnov

To shift into 4 Lo you have to have your automatic transmission in NEUTRAL before you move your 4wd lever into or out of 4 Lo.

mdnov

BTW, Not a stupid question. What would have been stupid would have not to have asked the question and ruined something. Welcome to the forum!

Atmos

oh and minimum lift and tire size should be 4.5 and 33in tall tires
anything else is just for show
wheeling 101. dont leave your garbage on the trail and dont drive off the trail
make sure you have proper recovery equipment dont hurt the trees etc. etc.
here. http://artofmanliness.com/2011/01/13...o-off-roading/

Atmos

other stupid questions you should not ask include
1. can I fit 33 inch tires on a 3 inch lift?
2. posting ANY question in the Fab section. dont post there

lol

mdnov

Wow, you asked a lot of questions and I answered only a few. 4hi can be used at most highway speeds. 4 lo is for maximum traction and generally low speeds. There are 2 4wd systems on the Cherokees. Select-trac, and Command-trac. Here is a cool thread that will help you complete with pictures and animation. http://www.jeep.com/en/4x4/how_syste.../command_trac/

mdnov

You should not have locking hubs on your vehicle unless someone installed them. 2 or 4 door? Which do you like better? That one is what is best for you. Get used to your Jeep and driving before you put a lift on it.

offgridhiker

Thanks everyone so much! So if I got it right 1990-99 jeep cherokees are best. Th modeks are just different trim but sports are best. Shift in and out of four hi at any speed under 30. Can I shift into four hi sitting still with jeep in park? How about if I am sitting at a light in drive can I shift into four hi sitting still in drive?
And I can only shift into four lo when I am sitting still with automatic transmission in neutra". I shift it down over and into lo. Do I have to pause when I am shifting down on the four wheel drive at the neutral position into four lo. Or just a smooth down over and down?
And I should get a max 4.5" with 33" tires. What would be ideal for me? I wont be doing Rubicon or King of Trails, but I want to be able to cross water, have some fun in the mud, and make it down some fair hard trails. What axle should I look for on a jeep cherokee or what axle is best. I heard a dana 30. What is this? Anyone have ideas for off road lights? How much does a lift effect mph and mpg? Again thank you more than words can say!! This place is awesome!!

mdnov

Do you know what transfer case you have? That would help us be able to answer your questions better. Do you know if you have the select-trac or command-trac?

Atmos

jeez you've got a lot of questions. which is a good thing and yeah this place is awesome. do some research.
click around the threads and just read for a month or two. or six
then you probably want a 3.5-4.5 lift. 4.5 and 33's are the minimum recommended for rubicon trail
your front axle is perfect dont change it. you should swap the rear axle but which one depends on how big of tires you want
tires are what effects mpg. bigger tires=horrible fuel economy.
a basic start to off roading is 3.5 lift and 31 inch tall tires. cheap and simple

Atmos

click on some of the pictures in this link to get an idea of what you're looking at
http://www.myjeepxj.com/cherokee-lift-kits

offgridhiker

When I shift it into 4hi an orange light on the left of the blinker lights up with part-time. Also after I put the transmission into neutral then shift the second lever down into 4lo, then do I shift the transmission back into drive &nd now I am in four lo?

mdnov

Ok, You have a part time 4wd or Command-Trac. Once you shift your lever a 2nd time you put your transmission into any gear you would like, and yes then you are in 4lo. Also on your 4wd selector lever, if you leave it in neutral, your whole Jeep will be in neutral. Do not use your 4wd (either hi or low) on dry pavement.