Front axle or Transfercase or transmission?

[Glen4X4]

I'm use to the first gen, I use to be able to park on a hill in 4low and the compression of the motor hold it back it had a 5spd. Now with my 2nd gen explorers, (95 and 96). If I put the t-case in 4low and then put it in park it sits still fine, Until I turn the motor off then it jerks forward as if I'm in 4hi or 2wd. I didn't know if it had something to do with it being automatic or because of the setup of the 4405 tcase or because it has that center axle disconnect, I was under the impression that when your in 4wd the front axle is locked whether the truck is on or off, so with that being said, I don't know if thats the issue or what. Most of you are more knowledgeable on this than I am, and I hate that when I turn the motor off it jerks forward, so somethings got to change with the truck if I don't trade it in. One reason I didn't know if it were the transmission is because it don't stay parked by compression of the motor, but then thought some more and didn't think it would be the transmission because didn't think turning the motor off in park would cause an effect.

 

[IZwack]

The truck probably wont change, unless you swap in a manual transfer case. The 2nd gen 4.0L's 4wd system is engaged via an electromagnetic clutch (which is turned "off" when the vehicle is turned off). Why do you need in park in 4wd? You're just damaging the transfer case if you're doing this on hard surface by forcing a bind the system (and for an extended period of time too -- which makes the whole situation even worst).

 

[Glen4X4]

I know how the t-case works but wasn't sure if that were the issue or not (didn't try to sound rude there). No, I only park in 4wd when I go to my moms and the driveway where I park is a mix of stone,pebbles and dirt and its an uneven surface.

EDIT: and the reason I use 4low sometimes is because I have a fear of these auto's breaking down or the torque converter burning up so I put it in 4low to go up the hill so that i don't have to worry about that as much. Thanks for the warning of bind on the drive train though, it became a habbit when I had 5spd explorers to park in 4low on a stoney hill to help keep the truck from rolling.

 

[gijoecam]

As IZ mentioned, the transfer case is controlled using an electro-mechanical ball-ramp clutch assembly. Turning the key off cuts the power to the clutch. So, if there's some driveline bind-up or you're relying on the front wheels to hold the vehicle in place, it's going to release that pressure when you turn the key off. That's just the way the system works.

Short of installing a switch to manually power the t-case independent of the key (which also means you could leave it on inadvertently and kill the battery), the current system is not going to change. You could always swap in a manual t-case, but that presents its own set of issues.

-Joe

 

[Glen4X4]

Yeah, I did that BWM but I don't want to drain the battery. Guess I'll have to think about the 1354 like my first gens had then. Thanks for the input.