'97 ZJ Quadra-Trac Modification??

[ShadoZJ]

Originally Posted by amicus

Hi all,

I just finished a 2 day 4wd course (it was really excellent). One issue that was raised was the quadra trac on my 97 ZJ jeep (I6 Engine) could not be started in Low second gear. It always starts in Low first then moves to Low second and if momentum is not maintained drops back to Low first.

Needless to say, if you are running on soft sand, dropping back to Low First reduces your momentum and... can lead to getting bogged (thinks ... this is bad!!).

The guy running the course (Steve from Eureka 4WD) thinks it is possible to get a switch installed that will force the vehicle to start, and stay in Low Second, much like the Second Gear Start buttons in some Toyotas and Nissans. Apparently this is connected to the electrical system of the Quadra-Trac drive.

Does anyone know anything or have any ideas about how this can be achieved?

I don't realy see this as a problem. I know what you mean, you want to take off in second gear without going thru first and then stay in second. But I don't think taking of in second would be an improvement anyways. Even if it does drop back to first gear this wouldn't be a bad thing.

[amicus]

That is a good point. My instructor on the training weekend explained that to pick up the speed really quickly (e.g. when doing a hill climb from a very short start) and to maintain speed without loosing momentum in low range (e.g. on beach runs) it is best to have 1st gear locked out.

When doing the hill starts for example he recommended reving the engine at a really high rate while keeping my foot on the brake so that when the brake was released it would jump to second gear as quickly as possible thus picking up speed as quickly as possible. To avoid this he recommended getting a 1st gear lockout.

Please bear in mind that I am a newbie to 4wdriving so am relying quite heavily on other peoples advice.

[OzJeeper]

Originally Posted by amicus

runs) it is best to have 1st gear locked out.

When doing the hill starts for example he recommended reving the engine at a really high rate while keeping my foot on the brake so that when the brake was released it would jump to second gear as quickly as possible thus picking up speed as quickly as possible. To avoid this he recommended getting a 1st gear lockout.

Sounds like a sure-fire way to shag a gearbox/transfer case/drive shaft or axle shaft. Thats if you don't breal traction in a huge way and lose control of the vehicle.

But then again, what would I know, I've only been driving an auto off-road for about 35 years....
During my time as an instructor I never heard of that technique to gain momentum on hills, but it's been a while...

cheers

[amicus]

I'm startin' to think that maybe I am going to leave this one alone until I have gained a little more experience. I have been giving some serious thought to joining the Jeep Owners Club WA so I can get more experience in both 4w driving and Jeeps.

Thanks all for your feedback and help

[OzJeeper]

Originally Posted by amicus

I'm startin' to think that maybe I am going to leave this one alone until I have gained a little more experience. I have been giving some serious thought to joining the Jeep Owners Club WA so I can get more experience in both 4w driving and Jeeps.

Thanks all for your feedback and help

Excellent decision on joining a club. Get to talk to old farts like me who started their 4WD experience with a CJ6 - no I lie. It was a Scout Traveller.

Have fun.

[drover]

Have to agree Ozjeeper thats a new one on me too, rather scary as to what could happen.