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4wheel drive on 1999 Trooper

3.2K views 4 replies 4 participants last post by  Enemigo  
#1 ·
I know this may be a stupid question but can somebody tell me how the 4wheel drive system works on my 99 trooper? My understanding is that its full time 4wheel drive, and I see a high and low option on my transfer case shifter. What I don't understand is this automatic button. Does this mean I have differential locks on all the time and that I am actually disengaging them when I press the button and going into an all wheel drive system? That's backwards from anything I've ever seen so I'm just wondering if I'm losing my mind. Also, if it has diff locks are they front and rear or is there a center one as well? What should I drive in normally and why would I want an AWD on a trail? Secondly I can't tell if my 4wd is actually working. When I make tight turns there is no tire skipping with or without the automatic 4wd button engaged, but I don't know if it was built to not have that because its full time 4wd.
 
#2 ·
You don't have any lockers. The front diff is open, the rear is likely LSD. Most vehicles don't have a center locking diff, but the transfer case acts the same way.

If you select 4lo, it works like any 4x4 that you are familiar with. 4hi is a bit different with the TOD system. I've never had a TOD vehicle, so I'll let others explain the fine details of how it operates.
 
#3 ·
Your Trooper is normally in 2wd. When you push the button on the dash, it engages 4wd high-range. This can be done "on the fly" up to 60 mph. 4wd hi can be used in daily driving and on dry asphalt.

To shift into 4wd low-range, the vehicle must be parked and the transmission in neutral then push the transfer case lever forward. 4wd lo is only recommended for low traction surfaces and should never be used on dry asphalt.