Drive wheels

Ok, I have a question for the 4 wheel drive experts. I have a 2004 liberty limited with the select-tract , no traclock rear end. 1 set of chains for snow, which are the "drive wheels' in 4 wheel low or high and should the chains go on the front, rear or on the "drive wheels" on the front and back for snow? Thanks!

In 4x4 low and part time the centre diff is locked so 50% power to front and back. Full time 4x4 puts the centre diff back in.
I'd put the chains on the front and run full time 4x4 with the centre diff operating.

Thank you for the reply!!

You'll be stuck spinning the rear wheels in full time with chains on the front. Full time is really only useful when the roads are partly covered in snow or its raining.

If the roads are completely snow covered, I suppose it doesn't matter where the chains are, but use part time.

Chains on the front give steering grip. Round here on the rare occasions we get snow it drifts, leaving open salted bits so full time wouldn't be good for the driveline, you can always knock it in part time if you need it, saves damaging something, unless your roads are like JeepJeepster's and completely covered.

JeepJeepster said:

You'll be stuck spinning the rear wheels in full time with chains on the front. Full time it really only useful when the roads are partly covered in snow or its raining.

If the roads are completely snow covered, I suppose it doesn't matter where the chains are, but use part time.

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I agree on Part time.
If you stay in Full Time, the rear axle will slip and you will stay stuck.
I'd put the chains on the front drive to keep steering and better braking effect.

Thanks all.

ZapZ said:

Ok, I have a question for the 4 wheel drive experts. I have a 2004 liberty limited with the select-tract , no traclock rear end. 1 set of chains for snow, which are the "drive wheels' in 4 wheel low or high and should the chains go on the front, rear or on the "drive wheels" on the front and back for snow? Thanks!

Click to expand...

Personally. I would put chains on back for a few reasons. 1) Ever done cookies on an icy parking lot or on gravel? Which tires lose traction and slide then? Front steering traction makes little difference if rear is not following. 2) Generally speaking, there's more space on back tires for chains. Chains on front without a lift may rip up your inner plastic fender liners, especially on tight turns. 3) Snow drifts - front tires knock down / pack snow, making way for rear tires. Rear tires may have better grip with chains in newly packed snow than front tires on fresh, loose snow. 4) Dad and uncle had Willys CJ2A on hunt trip. Put chains on front tires. Tried to go round side of hill. Rear slid downhill, so they had to go to top of hill to get straitened out.