Cherokke 4WD system questions?

[Brian R]

I drove an '89 Cherokee with Selec Trac yesterday. The transfer case lever had a 4WD position that was supposed to be used only on low traction surfaces. I assume this means that one or both differentials are locked up. Also, there were no hubs to lock. Can anyone explain this system? Also, was it available in the very early Cherokees (1983?)?

 

[JHansen]

The Jeep you drove with Selec-Trac was equipped with a New Process (or New Venture depending on what you want to call it) 242 transfer case. It has a standard 2wd position, a full-time 4x4 position that can be used on any road surface, a part-time high range 4x4 position that locks the center diff and therefore is only for loose-traction surfaces, a Neutral position, and a 4x4 low range position that again locks the center diffs forcing a 50/50 torque split. You are correct-there are no hubs. The 242 does not have a synchronizer assembly to bring the front driveshaft up to speed-so it requires the front driveshaft to be turning all the time. Lots simpler anyways-no stupid vacuum disconnects or auto hubs to screw up.



They had a version of Selec-Trac in the early ones as well-but it used a different transfer case-can't remember the model # but nowheres near as good as the 242. '87 up used the 242 IIRC-came at the same time as the 4. 0 upgrade.



HTH

Jason

 

[Brian R]

It sounds like the axles themselves don't have locking diffs. Do you know anything about the Nissan divorced transfers from the early 80's, by chance?

 

[JHansen]

No-there were no locking diffs available at that time-closest thing is the Trac-Loc LSD that was optional in the rear. IMO (keep in mind the source here! ) True-Trac gear-drive LSDs front and rear with the 242 case would be the ultimate sure-foot setup for slippery highways. The 242 is my ultimate favorite transfer case in the whole world-I would have paid quite a bit extra to be able to get it in my Ram. Seeing as it wasn't an option though-if I want it I guess I'll have to put it in myself !



Don't know anything about Nissan stuff Brian-sorry!



Jason

 

[tgbol]

Brian

It has been a long time for my brain to remember this, but, I think that most of the early Datsun (Nissan) 4x4 were conversions by Low Engineering. They made an adapter to convert the transfer cases from Jeeps to a divorced style. As far as I know the Factory units were all married to the trans.

 

[Brian R]

The ones I'm talking about are in the 2nd generation factory 4x4's (1979-1985. 5?). I saw one at the JY the other day and it definitely had a divorced transfer. It was a fairly small, tidy looking unit so I've kept it in mind for some different conversion ideas.

 

[Brian R]

Nobody seems to care but I'm wrong about that generation number. I think it would be 4th generation but the years ARE 79-85. 5.