Jeep Cherokee (XJ) 1993 - 1996 4X4 systems

[97BlackC5]

I am thinking of buying a pre facelift Jeep Cherokee but would like some help in understanding the 4X4 set up they have. I have seen cars advertised with Command Trac & cars advertised with Selec-Trac. Firstly what is the difference & secondly I will be using the car mainly on the roads with ocassional off road use, so which one would be best for me? Thanks in advance for your help.

[John MacK]

Command Trac, is a part-time 4x4 system, designed for only using 4 wheel drive when off-road.

Select Trac has an option of running in 4 wheel drive all the time, including on dry roads.

Using command trac in 4 wheel drive on road will result in serious damage to the drive-train and differentials etc.

There are differing opinions on the benefits of each system.

[97BlackC5]

Thx for your reply, I guess Select Trac would be to one to go for if I will be doing more road driving than off road driving. Also is there an easy way of telling what system the particular Jeep Cherokee has ie model year etc?

[jumplead]

The 4wd selector is the easiest way to tell.

The command trak will have 2WD - N - 4HI - 4LO
While the select trak will have 2WD - N - 4Full - 4Part - 4Lo (the ones to use on the road will be highlighted orange if its the same as mine ('93))

[John MacK]

General rule is 4ltr petrol were selctrac, and everything not a limited was command trac.

But as above checking the selector lever shows what's there, unless it's been worked on and a different transfer case has been fitted. Then you would need to look at the model of the transfer case.