Terrible at shifting into 4L, it’s embarrassing.

[RubiSlippers]

Finally got to some off-road trails and learned quite a bit! There are some things I need to work on and the biggest surprise for me was getting her into 4L.

I honestly think I made some mistakes through the attempts and I cringe to think of potential damage I may have done? I put the Jeep into neutral, tried both rolling and stopped and would try to pull the gearbox into 4L and felt some struggle. A couple of times I was in neutral. Couple of times heard grinding into 4L. Had the system even alert me that I was going to fast into neutral when I inadvertently paused there. Didn’t help that my passenger was being dramatic while I was trying to focus.

is it easy to do damage to the gears if I’m struggling to get it into 4L? I want to practice this more, is it ok to shift into 4L on pavement then shift out not too long after?

Thanks all!

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[RubiSlippers]

I also have a 2021 Rubicon

 

[At Risk Ute]

How fast do you think you were going when you got the alert?

Do you have any grass or gravel where you can practice?

 

[RubiSlippers]

How fast do you think you were going when you got the alert?

Do you have any grass or gravel where you can practice?

I was stopped or going 2-5 MPH in both cases.

I don’t have any areas that I’m aware of that I’m allowed to be there…but I’m sure I can eventually find some.

 

[MSparks909]

Put Jeep in drive, let off the brake. Once rolling, put Jeep into Neutral. Then firmly pull transfer case lever into 4L. It takes a little getting used to but it’s not too difficult once you get it. 1-3mph is all you need. 5mph is too fast.

 

[RubiSlippers]

Put Jeep in drive, let off the brake. Once rolling, put Jeep into Neutral. Then firmly pull transfer case lever into 4L. It takes a little getting used to but it’s not too difficult once you get it. 1-3mph is all you need. 5mph is too fast.

Think I damaged things?

 

[wolf]

Think I damaged things?

I don’t think so. It’s normal to here a little gear mesh sometimes. But any gorilla can peel a banana. Just don’t use an inordinate amount of force it’s not necessary. Get a friend who has a jeep for a while and let him take you for a demonstration ride off road.

 

[GtX]

Think I damaged things?

Unlikely.

The drive train will be under a lot more stress bouncing through rock gardens or when spinning tire finds traction.

If you haven't been in low much it'll probably loosen up as your technique improves. Keep at it. Be assertive. Don't limp wrist it.

 

[AlgUSF]

Think I damaged things?

HIghly doubt it, a little grind is just that a little grind. Kindof like when you miss a gear on a Manual the dog clutches grind against each other but they're designed to live through that. I have 270K on my 5MT Civic and I've ground a few gears (more than I'd like to admit) fast shifting it over the last 20 years.

TBH, this if my first Jeep and getting the transfer case to shift flawlessly took a few tries. I still occasionally get a little noise when I shift it into 4L.

 

[macintux]

I still remember my first attempts to shift into 4L when I took my LJR for a test drive. I think the salesman was worried I was going to break it.

It's a rite of passage. Welcome to the club!

 

[RubiSlippers]

Unlikely.

The drive train will be under a lot more stress bouncing through rock gardens or when spinning tire finds traction.

If you haven't been in low much it'll probably loosen up as your technique improves. Keep at it. Be assertive. Don't limp wrist it.

Thanks. I started being more forceful with it and then I got scared because I was feeling the struggle into 4L and then the grinding. Off-roading is new to me, my mechanic grandfather always told me to be gentle and careful with things so it goes against everything natural for me haha.

 

[RubiSlippers]

I still remember my first attempts to shift into 4L when I took my LJR for a test drive. I think the salesman was worried I was going to break it.

It's a rite of passage. Welcome to the club!

Thanks haha. It was making me sick hearing the grinding.

 

[oceanblue2019]

Also it will loosen up with use. Find some dirt and practice, practice, practice.

Also when you are going into 4L do not hesitate - from neutral right into 4L in a smooth and firm motion when coasting along at 1-3mph.

 

[macintux]

Thanks haha. It was making me sick hearing the grinding.

Dirty Turtle isn't too far from Cincinnati; that would be a good place to practice. Go with another Jeep and take some easy trails to get started.

https://www.dirtyturtleoffroad.com

 

[John VonJeep]

What’s amazing is that it doesn’t have to be this way. I had a 4Runner for a while and its transfer case shifted like butter from day one. Absolutely beautiful and creamy and smooth.

Your experience is normal for a Jeep, however. And no, the odds that you hurt anything are extremely low.

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