Qtrac question

Snitty · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2004, 01:58 AM

I've never looked too much into Cherokees, and this MAY be a common question on the cherokee forum here... i don't spend much time on this side, though i should, and will now...

A friend recently bought a 95 zj 5.2.... He's very unhappy with the 4wd system... he says it doesn't kick in when he wants it to ditch the quadratrac system and replace it with a fully manual selectable transfercase... what sort of options are there?

graewulf · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2004, 07:22 AM

i'd recommend the selec-trac... gives you 2 hi, part time 4 hi, full time 4 hi, 2 lo... its a good t-case/...

Bounty__Hunter · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2004, 07:59 AM

He should be able to bolt in a transfer case for Selectrac, but he'll have to change the center console to accept the transfer case lever. I'm not sure how the length compare between the 249 and 242 transfer cases, but changing the length of both driveshafts may be necessary.

Snitty · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2004, 02:48 PM

would the Qtrac lever not work for selectrac? and just replace the plate? or would he absolutely need to change the console? as if it would be tough anyway

Bounty__Hunter · #5 (**permalink**) 02-09-2004, 11:02 PM

I don't think the lever or the console plate the lever goes through would work. Be easy to find all the parts from one junkyard donor, though.

What choices does the Q-trac lever give? 4wd Hi and 4wd Lo? I can't remember from the last time I peeked in one of those wagons :P

Snitty · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-2004, 04:17 PM

4hi and 4lo..... all he wants is a 2wd option... and will NEVER use fulltime... he could get the part time conversion kit... but he's having trouble with the case as it is... he'd REALLY want a commandtrac type system... but if the selectrac is the only thing to work, then he'll deal with it

Bounty__Hunter · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2004, 06:26 PM

I think both the selectrac and commandtrac will bolt in behind his tranny, but I'm not sure commandtrac was ever available in the ZJ so he may not have access to the console pieces needed. Was the 231 available in the ZJ?

graewulf · #8 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snitty

4hi and 4lo..... all he wants is a 2wd option... and will NEVER use fulltime... he could get the part time conversion kit... but he's having trouble with the case as it is... he'd REALLY want a commandtrac type system... but if the selectrac is the only thing to work, then he'll deal with it

the selec-trac will work anywhere the command trac does, the only difference is a locking diff in the t-case to allow for full time 4wd (which i think should be used all the time anyway, get rid of 2wd all together..) the full time 4wd is better than 2wd anyways, its the same as having all wheel drive.

Bounty__Hunter · #9 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graewulf

the selec-trac will work anywhere the command trac does, the only difference is a locking diff in the t-case to allow for full time 4wd.

I thought the only difference was the use of a viscous coupling or other type of differential that allowed for full-time 4wd, because being locked front to rear in the transfer case is exactly what you don't want.

graewulf · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bounty__Hunter

Quote:

Originally Posted by graewulf

the selec-trac will work anywhere the command trac does, the only difference is a locking diff in the t-case to allow for full time 4wd.

I thought the only difference was the use of a viscous coupling or other type of differential that allowed for full-time 4wd, because being locked front to rear in the transfer case is exactly what you don't want.

From what i have read, its a locking diff, either way, that's what it does, in part time the diff is locked, locking the front & rear shafts together, in full time it is an open diff, allowing the system to unload front to back. that's how most all wheel drive systems work (unless its an expensive one with braking at each wheel and such). in full time it can be driven on dry pavement with no problems at all, all 4 wheels are powered (all wheel drive). works pretty good in snow... the last few storms we had i put it in full time and left it there.. had absolutely no traction problems (except my steep driveway where i had to lock it in parttime when i had 1 wheel on snow and 3 on pavement)

graewulf · #11 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 04:58 PM

here's a link that has a pretty good breakdown on how it works, its a planetary diff with locker

http://www.wjjeeps.com/tcases.htm#SELEC

Snitty · #12 (**permalink**) 02-11-2004, 05:14 PM

the thing is... he wants 2wd and part time capability... JUST like the commandtrac... he HATES fulltime 4wd

Bounty__Hunter · #13 (**permalink**) 02-12-2004, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snitty

the thing is... he wants 2wd and part time capability... JUST like the commandtrac... he HATES fulltime 4wd

He can get it with both commandtrac and selectrac, but the selectrac may be the smarter choice. It'll be there if it's needed by another user (who may not know when to use or not use part-time 4wd). It'll also be another line-item should he ever list it for sale.

graewulf · #14 (**permalink**) 02-12-2004, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bounty__Hunter

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snitty

the thing is... he wants 2wd and part time capability... JUST like the commandtrac... he HATES fulltime 4wd

He can get it with both commandtrac and selectrac, but the selectrac may be the smarter choice. It'll be there if it's needed by another user (who may not know when to use or not use part-time 4wd). It'll also be another line-item should he ever list it for sale.

exactly... if he doesnt like full time, don't leave it in that position.. shift from 2 to part time 4 to part time low....

Snitty · #15 (**permalink**) 02-12-2004, 06:55 PM

i would agree that the selectrac would be the smarter choice... but he thinks "its not going to be worth the money because of the prices of each"... nobody drives it other than himself... and he plans on taking this one to the ground

95blkzj · #16 (**permalink**) 03-05-2005, 07:04 PM

Hi guys, I am the friend Snitty is refering to.
A couple of days ago I started have a problem as if my VC has locked up! let me back up and fill you in on a little history. First off I wouldn't mind leaving things alone but I am having a recurring problem that I would like to just fix for good.
I had this problem last summer and had the transfer case REPLACED. The problem went away. Well now its back and worse than before. Jeep is fine when its cold or just around town. Yesterday I drove about 20 miles on highway and back (got it nice and warm) and then when I try to turn sharp corners (on dry pavement) it HOPS, SKIPS AND JERKS as if it had a part time 4wd system.
Any ideas? Could it be the VC or a Diff.? Can just the VC be fixed/replaced? Could the rear Diff cause this problem?
And like I said its only after its warmed up good...
PLEASE HELP!!!

ROGLSTUBB · #17 (**permalink**) 03-06-2005, 12:06 AM

Just to clarify that early ZJ's did have the command trac "np231" option. Not very many had it and I dont believe it was ever an option with the V8 motors or at least I have never encountered it. I got lucky with finding mine with I6.

95blkzj it could be one of the diffs as well my wifes with the select trac system will do the wheel hop thing turning sharp corners ocassionaly but not all the time and its not effected be temp. possibly the front??? Also the 4low on the quadratrac is considered to be a part time system as it should lock the transfer case.

Bounty__Hunter · #18 (**permalink**) 03-06-2005, 08:12 AM

That's a common problem with the 249 case in ZJ's. Rather than give you vague or wrong info, check over at www.nagca.com (North American Grand Cherokee Association) and get good info from jeepers who deal with this often.