4wd engaging and use questions

I jus want be reassured on a few things about my 61 cj5 since winter snow has hit
1. 4wd is engaged with the the 1st of the two smaller levers by pulling it down correct?
2. Is there certain times when I should engage the hubs for 4wd or use it whenever in 4wd?
3. Will something wear out from using 4wd in certain conditions (with hubs engaged/not engaged), such as long periods of time, day to day use?
4. Is 4 lo the best for slow winter driving
Thanks In advance for the answers
ps: where I live we don't get a lot of snow usually a couple inches with some ice

 

Dan,

I asked the same thing a few weeks ago, try this link, if it does not work I'll cut and paste the info I got

http://www.earlycj5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=79969

 

Thanks
Posted via Mobile Device

 

Someone may correct me if I am wrong. I am also new to Jeep 4wd but from what I read and researched, unless the hubs are locked in, you can' truly be in 4wd. I mean you will get power to the front differential, but the power won't be transferred to the wheels unless the hubs are locked in (locks the wheels so they turn with the axles). Yes, I believe you have a Dana 18 T-case and the first lever is in/out (down/up) and the second lever is low/neutral/high (up/middle/down)

http://www.hermtheoverdriveguy.com/id103.htm

With the hubs engaged but not in 4wd, then they will just spin and wear out sooner. I think it is best to leave them disengaged when not in use (my opinion).

4 lo should only be used off road and not on dry pavement. Snow, depends on how much there is. I believe 4 lo can give a lot of torque and result in spinning the wheels.

No 4wd drives well on ice unless you have chains, and then there is no guarantee.

Experiment, have fun...ask a lot of questions..that is what I do...

by the way, got some pics?

 

Engage your 4wd by locking the hubs and pulling the middle shifter towards the seats. Once engaged you can select lo or high range. Alot of times I engage the middle shifter w/o locking the hubs. I have a 4:11 rear end and put the transfer case in low range and it changes the ratios and pulls like crazy. It will climb steep hills easily. In normal street driving your middle shifter should be pushed towards the firewall and your shifter farthest from you should be in high range (towards the seats). I come from the old school and after dis-engaging the lock out hubs I back up 15-20 feet. I don't know if it is necessary on Jeeps bit it don't hurt.

 

If by chance, you have Warn Lock-o-matic hubs on there, they will engage by only shifting it in 4wd. If you do have these and are on snow or ice, make sure to manually lock them in or they will disengage the first time you take your foot off the gas-good way to quickly swap travel direction