Embarrassing newbie questions about xfer case shifting
 

Hi all, I'm going to go check out a '78 CJ-7 with 304/3-speed today at
noon. Supposedly "everything works" and the drivetrain is 100% stock.
I think that means a spicer-20 xfer case (good thing from what I
read), dana20 rear(weakest link on this setup from what I read), and
dana30 front (not bad from what I've read). I've ridden in a few
Jeeps but I've never actually driven one so I have the ultimate newbie
question for you... I know how to drive a stick shift just fine,
but... (here comes the embarrassing part...I've never actually driven
a 4WD vehicle before so the xfer case shifting stuff is a myster to
me...) on a 4WD vehicle there's that extra stick for the xfer case
to choose between 2WD/4WD and high/low... On a Jeep, what is that
shift pattern like? Hopefully it's marked on the stick... Like
forward and to the left for 2WD, then straight back for 4WD(high), and
back and to the right for 4WD(low)? (Just as an example) Something
like that? Also, when using the xfer case shifter, I'd guess that I
would depress the clutch like I do to shift transmission gears? In a
normal offroad situation I think I'd approach the trail, get out and
engage the manual hubs (keeping the xfer case set for 2WD) and then
enter the trails and drive around like that and switch to 4WD using
the xfer case when needed. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to drive around
some with the hubs locked but the Jeep still in 2WD, would it? That
would just make it so that the front axle would be spinning since it
would be "locked" at the wheel hub as I moved but the front driveshaft
would still be stationary because it was decoupled from the xfer case,
right? I think I have that right, but wanted to be sure. The most
important thing I need to know for right now though, is how to shift
the xfer case since I'm gonna go test drive this Jeep today. Use the
clutch when shifting xfer case? (probably) And the shift pattern? I
have no idea what it is. Oh, and I'm also guessing that I wouldn't
shift the xfer case at all unless I'm at a full stop, not moving at
all? Thanks! (Hey, everybody had to learn this stuff at some
point... Maybe a couple of years from now I'll google search on this
post and have a good laugh at myself for having questions like these.
:-)


--
Travis
http://jeepadventures.dyndns.org/jeep.html
The meek shall inherit the earth. After I'm finished with it.
:wq!

Re: Embarrassing newbie questions about xfer case shifting
 

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:45:54 -0400, travis
<travist34removethis@hotmail.com> shared the following:

>Hi all, I'm going to go check out a '78 CJ-7 with 304/3-speed today at
>noon. Supposedly "everything works" and the drivetrain is 100% stock.
>I think that means a spicer-20 xfer case (good thing from what I
>read), dana20 rear(weakest link on this setup from what I read), and
>dana30 front (not bad from what I've read). I've ridden in a few
>Jeeps but I've never actually driven one so I have the ultimate newbie
>question for you... I know how to drive a stick shift just fine,
>but... (here comes the embarrassing part...I've never actually driven
>a 4WD vehicle before so the xfer case shifting stuff is a myster to
>me...) on a 4WD vehicle there's that extra stick for the xfer case
>to choose between 2WD/4WD and high/low... On a Jeep, what is that
>shift pattern like? Hopefully it's marked on the stick... Like
>forward and to the left for 2WD, then straight back for 4WD(high), and
>back and to the right for 4WD(low)? (Just as an example) Something
>like that? Also, when using the xfer case shifter, I'd guess that I
>would depress the clutch like I do to shift transmission gears? In a
>normal offroad situation I think I'd approach the trail, get out and
>engage the manual hubs (keeping the xfer case set for 2WD) and then
>enter the trails and drive around like that and switch to 4WD using
>the xfer case when needed. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to drive around
>some with the hubs locked but the Jeep still in 2WD, would it? That
>would just make it so that the front axle would be spinning since it
>would be "locked" at the wheel hub as I moved but the front driveshaft
>would still be stationary because it was decoupled from the xfer case,
>right? I think I have that right, but wanted to be sure.

No...wait... If the front axle shafts are spinning as I'm moving
because they're locked at the hubs then that would also cause the
front driveshaft to spin... but it (front driveshaft) would be
decoupled at the xfer case so it wouldn't be engaging there. That
closer to being correct? So running in 2WD at the xfer case with the
front manual hubs locked would have the net effect of making more
moving parts when the vehicle was in motion (front driveshaft and
axleshafts and front differential) which would drop fuel economy a
little and cause a little extra wear on the moving parts I guess, but
nothing more sinister than that? I wouldn't run with the front hubs
locked and in 2WD on the street. I'm just thinking that it would
maybe make sense to do that while putting around at low speeds on the
trails.

> The most
>important thing I need to know for right now though, is how to shift
>the xfer case since I'm gonna go test drive this Jeep today. Use the
>clutch when shifting xfer case? (probably) And the shift pattern? I
>have no idea what it is. Oh, and I'm also guessing that I wouldn't
>shift the xfer case at all unless I'm at a full stop, not moving at
>all? Thanks! (Hey, everybody had to learn this stuff at some
>point... Maybe a couple of years from now I'll google search on this
>post and have a good laugh at myself for having questions like these.
>:-)


--
Travis
http://jeepadventures.dyndns.org/jeep.html
The meek shall inherit the earth. After I'm finished with it.
:wq!

Re: Embarrassing newbie questions about xfer case shifting
 

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:45:54 -0400, travis
<travist34removethis@hotmail.com> shared the following:

>Hi all, I'm going to go check out a '78 CJ-7 with 304/3-speed today at
>noon. Supposedly "everything works" and the drivetrain is 100% stock.
>I think that means a spicer-20 xfer case (good thing from what I
>read), dana20 rear(weakest link on this setup from what I read), and
>dana30 front (not bad from what I've read). I've ridden in a few
>Jeeps but I've never actually driven one so I have the ultimate newbie
>question for you... I know how to drive a stick shift just fine,
>but... (here comes the embarrassing part...I've never actually driven
>a 4WD vehicle before so the xfer case shifting stuff is a myster to
>me...) on a 4WD vehicle there's that extra stick for the xfer case
>to choose between 2WD/4WD and high/low... On a Jeep, what is that
>shift pattern like? Hopefully it's marked on the stick... Like
>forward and to the left for 2WD, then straight back for 4WD(high), and
>back and to the right for 4WD(low)? (Just as an example) Something
>like that? Also, when using the xfer case shifter, I'd guess that I
>would depress the clutch like I do to shift transmission gears? In a
>normal offroad situation I think I'd approach the trail, get out and
>engage the manual hubs (keeping the xfer case set for 2WD) and then
>enter the trails and drive around like that and switch to 4WD using
>the xfer case when needed. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to drive around
>some with the hubs locked but the Jeep still in 2WD, would it? That
>would just make it so that the front axle would be spinning since it
>would be "locked" at the wheel hub as I moved but the front driveshaft
>would still be stationary because it was decoupled from the xfer case,
>right? I think I have that right, but wanted to be sure.

No...wait... If the front axle shafts are spinning as I'm moving
because they're locked at the hubs then that would also cause the
front driveshaft to spin... but it (front driveshaft) would be
decoupled at the xfer case so it wouldn't be engaging there. That
closer to being correct? So running in 2WD at the xfer case with the
front manual hubs locked would have the net effect of making more
moving parts when the vehicle was in motion (front driveshaft and
axleshafts and front differential) which would drop fuel economy a
little and cause a little extra wear on the moving parts I guess, but
nothing more sinister than that? I wouldn't run with the front hubs
locked and in 2WD on the street. I'm just thinking that it would
maybe make sense to do that while putting around at low speeds on the
trails.

> The most
>important thing I need to know for right now though, is how to shift
>the xfer case since I'm gonna go test drive this Jeep today. Use the
>clutch when shifting xfer case? (probably) And the shift pattern? I
>have no idea what it is. Oh, and I'm also guessing that I wouldn't
>shift the xfer case at all unless I'm at a full stop, not moving at
>all? Thanks! (Hey, everybody had to learn this stuff at some
>point... Maybe a couple of years from now I'll google search on this
>post and have a good laugh at myself for having questions like these.
>:-)


--
Travis
http://jeepadventures.dyndns.org/jeep.html
The meek shall inherit the earth. After I'm finished with it.
:wq!

Re: Embarrassing newbie questions about xfer case shifting
 

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:45:54 -0400, travis
<travist34removethis@hotmail.com> shared the following:

>Hi all, I'm going to go check out a '78 CJ-7 with 304/3-speed today at
>noon. Supposedly "everything works" and the drivetrain is 100% stock.
>I think that means a spicer-20 xfer case (good thing from what I
>read), dana20 rear(weakest link on this setup from what I read), and
>dana30 front (not bad from what I've read). I've ridden in a few
>Jeeps but I've never actually driven one so I have the ultimate newbie
>question for you... I know how to drive a stick shift just fine,
>but... (here comes the embarrassing part...I've never actually driven
>a 4WD vehicle before so the xfer case shifting stuff is a myster to
>me...) on a 4WD vehicle there's that extra stick for the xfer case
>to choose between 2WD/4WD and high/low... On a Jeep, what is that
>shift pattern like? Hopefully it's marked on the stick... Like
>forward and to the left for 2WD, then straight back for 4WD(high), and
>back and to the right for 4WD(low)? (Just as an example) Something
>like that? Also, when using the xfer case shifter, I'd guess that I
>would depress the clutch like I do to shift transmission gears? In a
>normal offroad situation I think I'd approach the trail, get out and
>engage the manual hubs (keeping the xfer case set for 2WD) and then
>enter the trails and drive around like that and switch to 4WD using
>the xfer case when needed. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to drive around
>some with the hubs locked but the Jeep still in 2WD, would it? That
>would just make it so that the front axle would be spinning since it
>would be "locked" at the wheel hub as I moved but the front driveshaft
>would still be stationary because it was decoupled from the xfer case,
>right? I think I have that right, but wanted to be sure.

No...wait... If the front axle shafts are spinning as I'm moving
because they're locked at the hubs then that would also cause the
front driveshaft to spin... but it (front driveshaft) would be
decoupled at the xfer case so it wouldn't be engaging there. That
closer to being correct? So running in 2WD at the xfer case with the
front manual hubs locked would have the net effect of making more
moving parts when the vehicle was in motion (front driveshaft and
axleshafts and front differential) which would drop fuel economy a
little and cause a little extra wear on the moving parts I guess, but
nothing more sinister than that? I wouldn't run with the front hubs
locked and in 2WD on the street. I'm just thinking that it would
maybe make sense to do that while putting around at low speeds on the
trails.

> The most
>important thing I need to know for right now though, is how to shift
>the xfer case since I'm gonna go test drive this Jeep today. Use the
>clutch when shifting xfer case? (probably) And the shift pattern? I
>have no idea what it is. Oh, and I'm also guessing that I wouldn't
>shift the xfer case at all unless I'm at a full stop, not moving at
>all? Thanks! (Hey, everybody had to learn this stuff at some
>point... Maybe a couple of years from now I'll google search on this
>post and have a good laugh at myself for having questions like these.
>:-)


--
Travis
http://jeepadventures.dyndns.org/jeep.html
The meek shall inherit the earth. After I'm finished with it.
:wq!

Re: Embarrassing newbie questions about xfer case shifting
 

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:45:54 -0400, travis
<travist34removethis@hotmail.com> shared the following:

>Hi all, I'm going to go check out a '78 CJ-7 with 304/3-speed today at
>noon. Supposedly "everything works" and the drivetrain is 100% stock.
>I think that means a spicer-20 xfer case (good thing from what I
>read), dana20 rear

Sorry, make that AMC-20 rear...still trying to learn...

>(weakest link on this setup from what I read), and
>dana30 front (not bad from what I've read). I've ridden in a few
>Jeeps but I've never actually driven one so I have the ultimate newbie
>question for you... I know how to drive a stick shift just fine,
>but... (here comes the embarrassing part...I've never actually driven
>a 4WD vehicle before so the xfer case shifting stuff is a myster to
>me...) on a 4WD vehicle there's that extra stick for the xfer case
>to choose between 2WD/4WD and high/low... On a Jeep, what is that
>shift pattern like? Hopefully it's marked on the stick... Like
>forward and to the left for 2WD, then straight back for 4WD(high), and
>back and to the right for 4WD(low)? (Just as an example) Something
>like that? Also, when using the xfer case shifter, I'd guess that I
>would depress the clutch like I do to shift transmission gears? In a
>normal offroad situation I think I'd approach the trail, get out and
>engage the manual hubs (keeping the xfer case set for 2WD) and then
>enter the trails and drive around like that and switch to 4WD using
>the xfer case when needed. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to drive around
>some with the hubs locked but the Jeep still in 2WD, would it? That
>would just make it so that the front axle would be spinning since it
>would be "locked" at the wheel hub as I moved but the front driveshaft
>would still be stationary because it was decoupled from the xfer case,
>right? I think I have that right, but wanted to be sure. The most
>important thing I need to know for right now though, is how to shift
>the xfer case since I'm gonna go test drive this Jeep today. Use the
>clutch when shifting xfer case? (probably) And the shift pattern? I
>have no idea what it is. Oh, and I'm also guessing that I wouldn't
>shift the xfer case at all unless I'm at a full stop, not moving at
>all? Thanks! (Hey, everybody had to learn this stuff at some
>point... Maybe a couple of years from now I'll google search on this
>post and have a good laugh at myself for having questions like these.
>:-)


--
Travis
http://jeepadventures.dyndns.org/jeep.html
The meek shall inherit the earth. After I'm finished with it.
:wq!

Re: Embarrassing newbie questions about xfer case shifting
 

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:45:54 -0400, travis
<travist34removethis@hotmail.com> shared the following:

>Hi all, I'm going to go check out a '78 CJ-7 with 304/3-speed today at
>noon. Supposedly "everything works" and the drivetrain is 100% stock.
>I think that means a spicer-20 xfer case (good thing from what I
>read), dana20 rear

Sorry, make that AMC-20 rear...still trying to learn...

>(weakest link on this setup from what I read), and
>dana30 front (not bad from what I've read). I've ridden in a few
>Jeeps but I've never actually driven one so I have the ultimate newbie
>question for you... I know how to drive a stick shift just fine,
>but... (here comes the embarrassing part...I've never actually driven
>a 4WD vehicle before so the xfer case shifting stuff is a myster to
>me...) on a 4WD vehicle there's that extra stick for the xfer case
>to choose between 2WD/4WD and high/low... On a Jeep, what is that
>shift pattern like? Hopefully it's marked on the stick... Like
>forward and to the left for 2WD, then straight back for 4WD(high), and
>back and to the right for 4WD(low)? (Just as an example) Something
>like that? Also, when using the xfer case shifter, I'd guess that I
>would depress the clutch like I do to shift transmission gears? In a
>normal offroad situation I think I'd approach the trail, get out and
>engage the manual hubs (keeping the xfer case set for 2WD) and then
>enter the trails and drive around like that and switch to 4WD using
>the xfer case when needed. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to drive around
>some with the hubs locked but the Jeep still in 2WD, would it? That
>would just make it so that the front axle would be spinning since it
>would be "locked" at the wheel hub as I moved but the front driveshaft
>would still be stationary because it was decoupled from the xfer case,
>right? I think I have that right, but wanted to be sure. The most
>important thing I need to know for right now though, is how to shift
>the xfer case since I'm gonna go test drive this Jeep today. Use the
>clutch when shifting xfer case? (probably) And the shift pattern? I
>have no idea what it is. Oh, and I'm also guessing that I wouldn't
>shift the xfer case at all unless I'm at a full stop, not moving at
>all? Thanks! (Hey, everybody had to learn this stuff at some
>point... Maybe a couple of years from now I'll google search on this
>post and have a good laugh at myself for having questions like these.
>:-)


--
Travis
http://jeepadventures.dyndns.org/jeep.html
The meek shall inherit the earth. After I'm finished with it.
:wq!

Re: Embarrassing newbie questions about xfer case shifting
 

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 06:45:54 -0400, travis
<travist34removethis@hotmail.com> shared the following:

>Hi all, I'm going to go check out a '78 CJ-7 with 304/3-speed today at
>noon. Supposedly "everything works" and the drivetrain is 100% stock.
>I think that means a spicer-20 xfer case (good thing from what I
>read), dana20 rear

Sorry, make that AMC-20 rear...still trying to learn...

>(weakest link on this setup from what I read), and
>dana30 front (not bad from what I've read). I've ridden in a few
>Jeeps but I've never actually driven one so I have the ultimate newbie
>question for you... I know how to drive a stick shift just fine,
>but... (here comes the embarrassing part...I've never actually driven
>a 4WD vehicle before so the xfer case shifting stuff is a myster to
>me...) on a 4WD vehicle there's that extra stick for the xfer case
>to choose between 2WD/4WD and high/low... On a Jeep, what is that
>shift pattern like? Hopefully it's marked on the stick... Like
>forward and to the left for 2WD, then straight back for 4WD(high), and
>back and to the right for 4WD(low)? (Just as an example) Something
>like that? Also, when using the xfer case shifter, I'd guess that I
>would depress the clutch like I do to shift transmission gears? In a
>normal offroad situation I think I'd approach the trail, get out and
>engage the manual hubs (keeping the xfer case set for 2WD) and then
>enter the trails and drive around like that and switch to 4WD using
>the xfer case when needed. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to drive around
>some with the hubs locked but the Jeep still in 2WD, would it? That
>would just make it so that the front axle would be spinning since it
>would be "locked" at the wheel hub as I moved but the front driveshaft
>would still be stationary because it was decoupled from the xfer case,
>right? I think I have that right, but wanted to be sure. The most
>important thing I need to know for right now though, is how to shift
>the xfer case since I'm gonna go test drive this Jeep today. Use the
>clutch when shifting xfer case? (probably) And the shift pattern? I
>have no idea what it is. Oh, and I'm also guessing that I wouldn't
>shift the xfer case at all unless I'm at a full stop, not moving at
>all? Thanks! (Hey, everybody had to learn this stuff at some
>point... Maybe a couple of years from now I'll google search on this
>post and have a good laugh at myself for having questions like these.
>:-)


--
Travis
http://jeepadventures.dyndns.org/jeep.html
The meek shall inherit the earth. After I'm finished with it.
:wq!

Re: Embarrassing newbie questions about xfer case shifting
 

well, Travis, i don't have an answer to all of your questions, but this is
what i know. my jeep prefers that you are moving before shifting from 2
wheel to 4 wheel high - any speed below 55mph. now, going from 4 wheel high
to 4 wheel low requires you to be moving less than 3mph, but still moving
nonetheless!
i also think that pushing in the clutch would be a good idea, you don't want
a load on the drivetrain when shifting the xfer case. if you don't push in
the clutch, have the throttle at a 'neutral' setting.

good luck with the test drive. i hope it turns out to be the one for you.

--
bob z.
p.s.

"people with less brain power than you are doing more difficult things
everyday"©

Re: Embarrassing newbie questions about xfer case shifting
 

well, Travis, i don't have an answer to all of your questions, but this is
what i know. my jeep prefers that you are moving before shifting from 2
wheel to 4 wheel high - any speed below 55mph. now, going from 4 wheel high
to 4 wheel low requires you to be moving less than 3mph, but still moving
nonetheless!
i also think that pushing in the clutch would be a good idea, you don't want
a load on the drivetrain when shifting the xfer case. if you don't push in
the clutch, have the throttle at a 'neutral' setting.

good luck with the test drive. i hope it turns out to be the one for you.

--
bob z.
p.s.

"people with less brain power than you are doing more difficult things
everyday"©

Re: Embarrassing newbie questions about xfer case shifting
 

well, Travis, i don't have an answer to all of your questions, but this is
what i know. my jeep prefers that you are moving before shifting from 2
wheel to 4 wheel high - any speed below 55mph. now, going from 4 wheel high
to 4 wheel low requires you to be moving less than 3mph, but still moving
nonetheless!
i also think that pushing in the clutch would be a good idea, you don't want
a load on the drivetrain when shifting the xfer case. if you don't push in
the clutch, have the throttle at a 'neutral' setting.

good luck with the test drive. i hope it turns out to be the one for you.

--
bob z.
p.s.

"people with less brain power than you are doing more difficult things
everyday"©