Hi / Lo range in 2WD

[johnrb3b]

There are three ways to get around the Willys limitation of not being able to shift into Lo range unless you are also in 4WD.

The least desirable way is to remove the front drive shaft. It's not that hard but - Why?

The most complicated, but the most fully versatile is to open up the transfer case and remove the "interlock pill" which prevents Lo range without 4WD.

The easiest way is to buy some locking hubs (free wheeling hubs) for your front axle. When you want Lo range / 2WD for a parade for instance, you simply unlock the hubs, shift into 4WD Lo and you're off and running with no driveline binding.

The only disadvantage to this solution is that you have to get out of the vehicle to lock/unlock the hubs.

You can find Warn Lock-O-Matic hubs that do the switching for you, but most people I've seen commenting on them aren't that happy with them. It's a matter of taste, I think.

When the day comes that I rebuild my transfer case, that "interlock pill" is coming out for sure.

I read a post on, I think, the 3B forum where a guy said he had done that and it was especially useful when off road. When he gets to really tight corners, he drops out of 4WD so he can crank the steering wheel all the way to lock and get no driveline hop. Once around the corner, back into 4WD all the while in Lo range.

[garage gnome]

I still don't see the point of 2wd low. Never had a situation where it would be more useful than 4wd.

I've also heard that if you dump the clutch in 2wd low, you could snap a rear axle, especially if towing something heavy.

[garage gnome]

I did think if a time where 2wd low is handy, parades. Still doesn't want to make me pull the interlock pill out though.

[johnrb3b]

Yeah, parades was the only reason I sited for my need of 2WD Lo.
Others have sited the advantage in tight corners.

The subject of breaking axles came up on the 3B forum some time back and most guys said they had heard that, but had never seen a documented case.
Oldtime (Ken B) the authority on all things 3B said he'd never seen it.
So it may just be a cautionary tale.
Perhaps with a big engine and a heavy foot on the skinny pedal, you might twist an axle. It's been done in 4WD, I've seen the pictures.

So for most of us, there appears to be no real problem. Just go easy on the gas pedal.

[macrisel]

I use 2lo quite a bit when I drive the girls around the farm.� I have locking hubs so I will keep the pill in the t-case for now.

It is more of a personal preference for me to use 2low.� I like to load the girls up and take a nice, slow drive through the fields looking for deer and other stuff.� 2hi seems a bit bumpy for them and not as enjoyable....especially without a back seat.� I drop to 2lo, pull the throttle out a little and cruise around at about 2-5 mph.� Like John said, it is also easier to turn in 2low.

Last weekend my oldest girl Sara (on the right) had a friend spend the night and they were dying to take a ride in the jeep.� Her friend really got a kick out of riding around with "no top, doors or nothing!" (her words to her mom)

[ZekeD]

Pretty girls, beautiful Jeep......Priceless!

[Gunslinger]

I too find those two to be quite fetching, you must be one button busting papa Mac!

I pulled the pill on my tranny so 2 lo is possible, I really like it for those jobs that need a slow speed, maneuverability.  Like moving trailers, chugging thought he woods... It's just a bit easier to do than with four low.  2 centavos

[Carls_jeep]

I've done a lot of trail riding in 4whl low range low gear and have never had an issue with tight turns. If your in 4whl you should be on dirt or sand, not pavement, so slipping of the wheels is not an issue nor will it affect the turning circle. In fact I have found that in 4whl the front tires will help pull the front end around a turn better than in 2 whl.

[JeffH]

It becomes very evident why 2LO is handy when you install a lockright in the front axle. The lockright drives both front wheels the same speed for traction.
I had lockers in both axles on my early CJ5 and it was handy to shift out of 4LO into 2LO then right back into after making a sharp turn. I swapped both axles over to my 3B but have not removed the pill from my D18 as of yet.

[johnrb3b]

Aha.
That might be what the guys were talking about - lockers in the front making tight turns difficult.
Yeah, without a locker in front tight turns should be about the same in 2WD or 4WD.
I'm still left with only parades as my reason for 2WD-Lo.
Like this:
http://home.comcast.net/~jrburch_h/jeep/parades/parades.html

[bretto]

I plan on doing a parade once a year and don't mind just dropping the front drive shaft to use 2-lo for it.  It only take a few minutes.  Other than that, I'm leaving everything else as it was.  I stripped my locking hubs off and went back to stock drive flanges to keep the front axle parts and transfer case happy.

[johnrb3b]

If you pull the drive shaft, be SURE to mark both ends so you put it back exactly as it was. You can get some pretty weird front end vibes if you index it wrong.
You probably already knew that, but I thought I'd throw it in there in case you didn't.

[bretto]

If you pull the drive shaft, be SURE to mark both ends so you put it back exactly as it was. You can get some pretty weird front end vibes if you index it wrong.
You probably already knew that, but I thought I'd throw it in there in case you didn't.

  Yep but thanks.

[duffer]

I haven't had the pill in my 3B D18 for almost 30 years.  I don't think I would go to the trouble of disassembling the 18 for just that reason, but if apart for some other reason, the pill would not be going back in.  2 low is useful in mild rock and, at least in my opinion, why put unnecessary wear on the drive train.

As to the Warn Loc-O-Matics, I have nearly 40 years on one pair and absolutely no complaints.  Very handy when you are on a trail with just occasional mud holes.  They do have a quirk when it comes to driving on ice or hardpack snow in that the second you let off the throttle, they disengage unless locked in.  That can have consequences.

Also, if you are using hubs for 2 low with a locker, I don't think they will  work.  Just about any load what-so-ever on the axle will engage them.  You can't even turn the front driveshaft by hand to grease a zerk without engagement.

[Carls_jeep]

It don't sound like the Warn Loc-O-Matics are a good choice if they lock and unlock on their own.

I put the drive flanges back on my Jeep a year ago because of excessive wear of the bushing in the front and rear output shafts. The D18 was not designed for lock out hubs in the first place.

The second reason is I found myself getting out to lock the hubs and then unlock the hubs on trails and roads and got tired of it. I started leaving the hubs locked and finally decided to put the drive flanges back on.