4x4 and Starting Problem-90 Laredo

[mysticsun]

Hi everyone,
This is my first time posting on this board, I was searching for any information on problems I'm currently having with my 90 laredo and I stumbled across here. I hope some will be able to give some advice with the problems I'm experiencing.
First off, it takes several times of cranking before the Jeep starts, when it finally does start, it smells really gassy, if that's a word. Lately it's been eating a lot of gas and I've lost over 60 miles to a tank of gas. I've heard several dozens assumptions as to what it could be from the choke to the fuel pump. Any suggesstions? Someone also told me it was normal for it to have a "Hard Start" the way it does. In the mornings it takes about 10 cranks before it starts up.

My next problem: My 4 wheel drive doesn't seem to want to work. The past few days I pop it into 4 wheel and try going up my drive way and my rear wheels just spin and spin and then I slide backwards, it's like it puts itself into neutral and slides. I had a shop look at the 4x4 the other day and a guy said it seemed to work fine. Could it just be steep hills? What ever it the problem is, it's driving me nuts. I noticed about a week ago when I put it in 4 wheel, I'd start creeping up my drive way and then I'd hear a noise and then I'd start losing control, It like pops out of 4 wheel on it's own. I hope I'm explaining this well enough for someone to be able to give some advice.
I'm losing my mind with my 4 wheel drive problem as I live in the mountains and have a very steep drive way and have been leaving the jeep at the end of the drive way and walking up.

Thanks in advance.