4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/4WD S-15 JIMMY

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Expert: - 12/9/2005


Question
I JUST PURCHASED A S-15 4WD AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY ENGAGE THE 4WD. IT HAS ROCKER TYPE SWITCH TO SWITCH FROM 4H TO 4L. THE VEHICLE IS A 93 S15 JIMMY WITH A 4.3 V6 WITH A AUTO WITH OD TRANSMISSION  

Answer
Tom,

I would suggest that you find a user's manual for the S-15.  All vehicle manufacturers have a specified method for shifting into, and out of 4-Wheel drive, especially low range.

Each model, or make of vehicle can have a method unique to that model.  Most require that you slow down to 3 mph or slower, slip the transmission into neutral in order to shift into low range.

If you don't have a user's manual, contact your dealer, and see if they can provide you with one.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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