Jeep Command-Trac 4WD

Status
Not open for further replies.
O

otis24

Joined
Oct 30, 2005
Messages
2,065
Location
South Dakota
Since I was a kid, I've always wanted a Jeep. Ideally, it would have been a Will's Jeep or a CJ. Even better, a Jeep Scrambler pickup! In any event, I've just become the owner of my first Jeep. It is a 1998 Jeep Cherokee 4WD with the 4.0 straight 6 cylinder. Bought it cheap, $1375, from my employer. Only 95k miles on the odometer.

I'm not new to 4WD vehicles, but I am new to the Jeep 4WD systems. The vehicle did not come with an owner's manual. 4WD is activated by a shift lever. The placard behind the driver's visor says 4WD is "part-time".

Does this mean that the vehicle is basically an AED vehicle and that the power justice goes to the front wheels when there is slippage? Can the system stay in 4WD all the time or only during slippery conditions?
 
Great purchase on a great Jeep! I had 3 Jeeps and my 99 Cherokee had to be my favorite. What a fun vehicle.

The "part time" for the 4wd means just that, you can only use it part time, like in snowy conditions or off road. You can not use the system on dry pavement.
 
Originally Posted by KCJeep
The "part time" for the 4wd means just that, you can only use it part time, like in snowy conditions or off road. You can not use the system on dry pavement.


This is how my 98 Cherokee was. For use in low traction surfaces only, on pavement the driveline can bind up.

I think there was a different Cherokee 4wd system available that could be used on road but I don't know much about it or how to tell them apart.
 
So, when it is in 4WD, all four wheels are engaged? But you only use it "part-time", i.e. snow/mud/ice, correct?
 
My employer bought this vehicle in 2000 with about 70k on the odometer. It averaged less than 2000 miles per year. Oil changes were done every 2-2.5 years with around 2000 miles on the oil. The last oil change had almost 3 years on it. Oil was Mobile 10w30 conventional.

I had to put new shocks all the way around and a steering dampener. The shocks themselves weren't too bad but the bushings were worn out.
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted by otis24
So, when it is in 4WD, all four wheels are engaged? But you only use it "part-time", i.e. snow/mud/ice, correct?

Yes, that's how I did it.
 
yes, you only use it on slippery surfaces. IIRC, you can shift into 4 High up to 45 MPH; but moving to 4 low requires a stop.
 
Originally Posted by JamesBond
Originally Posted by KCJeep
The "part time" for the 4wd means just that, you can only use it part time, like in snowy conditions or off road. You can not use the system on dry pavement.


This is how my 98 Cherokee was. For use in low traction surfaces only, on pavement the driveline can bind up.

I think there was a different Cherokee 4wd system available that could be used on road but I don't know much about it or how to tell them apart.


The other system was called "Selec-Trac" which is what my Grand Cherokee had. Those have "Full time" which you can use all the time, and also have the "Part Time" mode which locks the front and rear together, forcing the same amount of rotation for each axle (do not confuse this with lockers, not the same).

I typically flipped the Grand into Full Time and just left it that way all winter. As I look out the window now, I wish I still had it.

The "Part Time" system is excellent when needed, but as mentioned the diffs will bind up due to different rotation rates of the wheels when turning on dry pavement. As long as you are off pavement or it is slippery on the roadway, you are good to go with "Part Time".
 
The verbiage is completely different than GM with their full time and 4 auto transfer cases.. Part time does not mean engaged part time and full time (if you t case had it) does not mean engaged full time. It is completely related to when to use what.

I had them backwards for a while when I first got my Jeep. Lol.
 
Originally Posted by KCJeep
Originally Posted by JamesBond
Originally Posted by KCJeep
The "part time" for the 4wd means just that, you can only use it part time, like in snowy conditions or off road. You can not use the system on dry pavement.


This is how my 98 Cherokee was. For use in low traction surfaces only, on pavement the driveline can bind up.

I think there was a different Cherokee 4wd system available that could be used on road but I don't know much about it or how to tell them apart.


The other system was called "Selec-Trac" which is what my Grand Cherokee had. Those have "Full time" which you can use all the time, and also have the "Part Time" mode which locks the front and rear together, forcing the same amount of rotation for each axle (do not confuse this with lockers, not the same).

I typically flipped the Grand into Full Time and just left it that way all winter. As I look out the window now, I wish I still had it.

The "Part Time" system is excellent when needed, but as mentioned the diffs will bind up due to different rotation rates of the wheels when turning on dry pavement. As long as you are off pavement or it is slippery on the roadway, you are good to go with "Part Time".


I guess I didn't realize you sold the Jeep. That's too bad.
 
If it's a mechanical system (manual transfer case like yours), it needs to be on a surface that will let the wheels slip a bit if in 4x4. Dry pavement will hurt it. It can be full time in the dirt, snow, mus, etc. Just not on dry pavement.

The systems that let you drive full time in 4x4 have viscous clutches internally to allow the wheel speed difference to adjust.

Nice vehicle, have fun
smile.gif
 
Originally Posted by otis24
Since I was a kid, I've always wanted a Jeep. Ideally, it would have been a Will's Jeep or a CJ. Even better, a Jeep Scrambler pickup! In any event, I've just become the owner of my first Jeep. It is a 1998 Jeep Cherokee 4WD with the 4.0 straight 6 cylinder. Bought it cheap, $1375, from my employer. Only 95k miles on the odometer.

I'm not new to 4WD vehicles, but I am new to the Jeep 4WD systems. The vehicle did not come with an owner's manual. 4WD is activated by a shift lever. The placard behind the driver's visor says 4WD is "part-time".

Does this mean that the vehicle is basically an AED vehicle and that the power justice goes to the front wheels when there is slippage? Can the system stay in 4WD all the time or only during slippery conditions?


Most commentary above is correct; I had two of these in a row, it will last and last. "Command Trac" is indeed a part time system. Use only off-road or as mentioned, on slippery surfaces.

I owned a '99 and '04, and they could go from 2wd to 4Hi at up to 55mph. 4Lo required 3-5mph to help it engage. Check your owner's manual if it's still there, they cover it in detail.

Oh, and PICS!! I'd still have my '04 if I hadn't been rear ended.

Originally Posted by otis24
So, when it is in 4WD, all four wheels are engaged? But you only use it "part-time", i.e. snow/mud/ice, correct?


Correct.


edit: Trans pan drop and refill every 30k, probably never have an issue. Transfer case same (both use ATF+4). I went 10,000 miles with Amsoil (YMMV) and used 5w30 and 10w30, until I moved way north, then it was 0w-30, which would be my choice in SD for the winter.
 
Last edited:
My truck is part time 4WD, and it drives me bonkers with the binding it gets. On dirt and snow it will bind. Moves 2 feet and comes to a stop, and have to gun it to spin the offending tire. Fine as long as I'm going in a straight line--lock to lock, not so much.

Next vehicle has to have some sort of center diff.
 
That's a deal for the AGES provided it's rust free, being that you're from SD, I'm guessing it is. You can't TOUCH one of these around here for less than $3k and that's for a rusty one.

One of my dream vehicles would be a jeep like yours but with the select-trac 4wd, just because I like to have more choices, lol!
 
Originally Posted by Ifixyawata
That's a deal for the AGES provided it's rust free, being that you're from SD, I'm guessing it is. You can't TOUCH one of these around here for less than $3k and that's for a rusty one.

One of my dream vehicles would be a jeep like yours but with the select-trac 4wd, just because I like to have more choices, lol!

Just spent a few minutes looking, and yeah I could see myself liking that Selec-Trac option.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

B
Intermittent Torque Converter Lock Up -1998 Jeep Cherokee XJ - AW4
2 3
Replies
44
Views
1K
D60
1
Jeep repairs, continued. Was it still a steal?
Replies
10
Views
3K
14Accent
O
  • Locked
98 Jeep Cherokee, what oil is spec'd?
2
Replies
23
Views
3K
ka9mnx
W
20,000 miles in a CX-5 GT-R
3 4 5
Replies
92
Views
22K
Tshane3000
S
Overview of AWD Systems
2 3
Replies
57
Views
21K
Al
Back
Top Bottom