Hi all, I'm going to go check out a '78 CJ-7 with 304/3-speed today at noon. Supposedly "everything works" and the drivetrain is 100% stock. I think that means a spicer-20 xfer case (good thing from what I read), dana20 rear(weakest link on this setup from what I read), and dana30 front (not bad from what I've read). I've ridden in a few Jeeps but I've never actually driven one so I have the ultimate newbie question for you... I know how to drive a stick shift just fine, but... (here comes the embarrassing part...I've never actually driven a 4WD vehicle before so the xfer case shifting stuff is a myster to me...) on a 4WD vehicle there's that extra stick for the xfer case to choose between 2WD/4WD and high/low... On a Jeep, what is that shift pattern like? Hopefully it's marked on the stick... Like forward and to the left for 2WD, then straight back for 4WD(high), and back and to the right for 4WD(low)? (Just as an example) Something like that? Also, when using the xfer case shifter, I'd guess that I would depress the clutch like I do to shift transmission gears? In a normal offroad situation I think I'd approach the trail, get out and engage the manual hubs (keeping the xfer case set for 2WD) and then enter the trails and drive around like that and switch to 4WD using the xfer case when needed. I mean, it wouldn't hurt to drive around some with the hubs locked but the Jeep still in 2WD, would it? That would just make it so that the front axle would be spinning since it would be "locked" at the wheel hub as I moved but the front driveshaft would still be stationary because it was decoupled from the xfer case, right? I think I have that right, but wanted to be sure. The most important thing I need to know for right now though, is how to shift the xfer case since I'm gonna go test drive this Jeep today. Use the clutch when shifting xfer case? (probably) And the shift pattern? I have no idea what it is. Oh, and I'm also guessing that I wouldn't shift the xfer case at all unless I'm at a full stop, not moving at all? Thanks! (Hey, everybody had to learn this stuff at some point... Maybe a couple of years from now I'll google search on this post and have a good laugh at myself for having questions like these. :-)
-- Travis