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How to Put a Jeep Wrangler in a 4 Wheel Drive

Andrea Barbuti

January 2, 2023

The Jeep Wrangler is a legendary car that stands out on the road and anywhere else. It comes with four-wheel drive, which makes sense given its reputation as a tough off-roader.

It has the ability to change between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive, either manually or automatically. Throw the Jeep Wrangler into 4WD and its power increases, making it an unstoppable machine.

In addition to better performance on and off-road, a 4WD also has the ability to gain more traction in slick conditions. A four wheel drive system like this one is ideal for explorers and off-road fans.

A four-wheel-drive vehicle performs better on and off-road and has better grip on slippery roads. This four-wheel drive system is great for people who like to explore and go off-road.

You can only utilise your Jeep Wrangler’s 4WD in specified conditions, even if it has it. When driving on tough terrain, 4WD improves traction. The four-wheel-drive system guarantees your Jeep Wrangler operates effectively in snow, rocks, or beach.

Unfortunately, not everyone is aware of how to engage four-wheel drive on a Jeep Wrangler. This post will teach you how to put your Jeep Wrangler in 4WD if you have one and are wondering how to do it.

Gear Options a Wrangler Comes with

Knowing the gear options is important because it will make it easy for you to learn how to put your Wrangler in 4WD. Here is a list of the different kinds of gear you should know about:

2Hi or 2H

This set of gears should be used when the ground is dry. It’s the best choice for everyday driving because you don’t have to do as much.

4 Hi or 4H

This gear is suitable for average highway speeds. However, it is better suited for situations where you require enhanced performance, such as when you need to get grip in wet, muddy, or sand-packed conditions.

When you shift into this gear, your Jeep’s front wheels gain a lot of traction, making your Wrangler much more stable.

4 Lo or 4 L

When you want the most traction possible, this is the best gear. All four wheels receive power from the transmission while the transmission is in low range.

Great for driving in rocky or muddy conditions, this combination is ideal for challenging roadways. You can use this gear when ploughing through deep snow or working on steep inclines.

Changing Gears on a Jeep Wrangler

The moment has come to master shifting your Jeep Wrangler into four-wheel drive. What you need to do is as follows:

1. Identify whether you’ll be more comfortable driving in 4H or 4L, high or low gear. To better navigate loose or slick terrain, 4H is recommended. Conversely, 4L is utilised in extremely slippery road conditions to provide enhanced traction.
2. Stop your Jeep and put the gear shifter in Neutral while keeping your foot on the brake pedal. Then move the four-wheel-drive selector from 2H all the way down to 4H. Set the gear selector to D (Drive) and keep going.
3. To move to 4L, press the brake pedal and shift to neutral (N). Then let the Jeep coast at a low speed, two or three miles per hour (without applying the gas pedal)Quickly shift from 4H to 4L and don’t stop in Neutral. Adjust your regular gear selection back to Drive and continue diving.

Switching gears

Jeep has multiple 4WD modes. Even if you intended your 4×4 as a daily car, conditions will alter. There will be beach weekends, backcountry adventures, joy rides in lush rain forests, and (if you’re really bold) mud rider conventions. All these sites have varied topography your car must traverse.

Understanding the different gear settings and which surfaces allow safe 4WD engagement are crucial to engaging your Jeep’s 4WD properly. Perfectly matched gearing protects drivetrain components.

For steep, uneven hills, use 2nd gear 4-Lo (4L). This combination gives the optimal power-control balance while maintaining your driving line. Deep ruts or loose gravel necessitate a rear differential lock or Traction Control with 4-Lo.

Snow driving is different. True, momentum is key. How you approach things depends on the snow you tread. A flurry or frozen road surface may need a slow or power-forward approach.

Switching from 2H to 4H

If you need to convert over to 4WD because the pavement or ground is wet, slick, or loose, all you have to do is move the lever gently and firmly back one click. You will successfully be switched into the 4 Hi state by doing this.

Switching from 4H to 4L

When you need the most traction possible and you have to shift into fourth low gear, reduce your speed to between two and three miles per hour.

To stop your Jeep from moving while it is in motion, shift into neutral and then slowly but firmly pull the lever all the way back. You can now go on your way if you put the Jeep back into gear.

Here are some tips and advice:

1. Before engaging 4WD, be sure the road is safe for your Jeep.
2. No more than 25 mph is safe when using 4L.
3. Apply the 4H when driving in icy or cracked weather.
4. You should never utilise 4H or 4L on the dry, asphalt roads of arid regions. In extreme cases, it could cause a fire or cracking.
5. When you want to deactivate the 4WD, you should always proceed slowly.
6. You can travel between 45 and 50 mph in 4H, even on roads that are rainy, muddy, or otherwise hazardous.

Conclusion

You can rely on your Jeep’s 4-wheel drive system to ease difficult situations so long as the terrain merely necessitates more power than the vehicle has. A Jeep’s off-road capabilities greatly increase with the addition of 4-wheel drive, which can be difficult to achieve without prior experience. Put the car in 4-wheel drive and you won’t have to worry as much about it sliding downhill or in the snow. By following this manual, changing the Jeep’s drivetrain is a breeze.

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