4 Low in an Automatic
JK Jedi
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,813
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From: Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
The owners manual method for going into 4-low is what is causing the issues..LOL!!
As I stated, I have never been able to successfully shift into 4-low following that method. I either get terrible grinding or I slip out of gear.
The method I described earlier of coming to a stop and going into neutral, etc...WORKS FOR ME. It also works for my brother in law who has a Sahara vs. my Rubi (so I assume it doesn't matter what transfer case you have)
With regards to the question of if I am in 4-high first...it doesn't matter. I can use this method whether I am going from 2wd to 4-low or from 4-high to 4-low. The most important thing is to make sure you are holding down the shiter very firmly before you kick it out of neutral. Once the Jeep starts moving, it catches......like magic..
I've only had one issue slipping out of 4-low using this method. Unfortunately for me, I was on a rock!! LOL!!!
As I stated, I have never been able to successfully shift into 4-low following that method. I either get terrible grinding or I slip out of gear.
The method I described earlier of coming to a stop and going into neutral, etc...WORKS FOR ME. It also works for my brother in law who has a Sahara vs. my Rubi (so I assume it doesn't matter what transfer case you have)
With regards to the question of if I am in 4-high first...it doesn't matter. I can use this method whether I am going from 2wd to 4-low or from 4-high to 4-low. The most important thing is to make sure you are holding down the shiter very firmly before you kick it out of neutral. Once the Jeep starts moving, it catches......like magic..
I've only had one issue slipping out of 4-low using this method. Unfortunately for me, I was on a rock!! LOL!!!
JK Freak
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 946
Likes: 0
From: Philadelphia, PA
yea autos are awesome, one of my friends who had no clue about offroading at all like at all was like, "dude its so hard to offroad in an automatic ull end up crashing, its easier to offroad with a stick", i just looked at him like wtf, i didnt say nutin cause i didnt feel like explainin it
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 758
Likes: 0
From: Suffolk, VA
Ok, gonna try for an answer here...today down in the OBX the plastic clip on the transfer case lever...this is the second one to break...this one was one for over 2 years. Anyway, as it turns out one of my fellow club members actually had a replacement piece in his Jeep...they have broken twice already on his 2011! We put it on...however, afterwards, I could not get it into 4LO...it shifts nice and smooth from 2hi to 4hi to N...then it feels like it never makes it to 4LO. No grinding or anything...honestly feels like the shifter needs to go just a bit more to make it into 4LO. So I immediately hit up Google on my phone and found that in a 2005 someone said that after installing a lift kit (body or suspension) you should lower the t-case cable (I never knew that nor did it) and they said in their TJ it was hitting a bolt head...just took some moving around and it worked fine. Any possibility something like this could be happening on mine? Of course, I ran the rest of the beaches in 4hi and got the hot oil light! 
Any thoughts? What can I do to remedy this at home and avoid the dealer?! Thanks!
Any thoughts? What can I do to remedy this at home and avoid the dealer?! Thanks!
JK Freak
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 623
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From: Salt Lake City, Utah
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 758
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From: Suffolk, VA
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From: Brighton (Denver), CO
4-lo
Had a 2008 6-speed and the few times I used it I never had a problem getting into 4-LO. Now I have a 2012 with auto. Tried 4-LO and apparently it popped right in. The bear was getting out of it and back to 2-WD. The grinding was unbelievable. After fighting with it for a few minutes I finally manged to get it. Haven't tried since.
JK Freak
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 920
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
I have the same problems with my 2010 where it does not like to slide into 4lo with ease. I also have the same problem when trying to take it out of 4lo. I found that my Jeep likes to roll every so slightly forward or backward before engaging 4lo.