Tires and Axle Selection

[BMahon9]

I'm looking to get my first Jeep soon. Playing around with the options on Jeep.com and looking at what dealers have in stock. The answers to my questions likely boil down to how much off roading I expect to do, but I was hoping to hear from people here about the value of two options.

1. Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle:

This options seems like a good selection for improved off roading. Would there be much benefit to this option on standard road conditions? Is this option valued on resale? I wouldn't have selected this option on my own, but it seems like dealers often select it for their own inventory and a salesman tried to tell me there is really no point in getting a wrangler without it. Is this option really necessary for the car to be considered off road capable?

2. All Season vs. All Terrain Tires:

This again seems to boil down to how much off roading you do. It looks like the two options cost the same amount. All Terrain tires obviously seem like a good deal. I plan on going off road occasionally and All Terrain tires would make that experience better. What's the downside?

Sponsored

 

[DougJaneway]

I got the anti-spin because it adds a Dana 44 in the rear which is a must if you ever plan on lifting and adding bigger tires for off roading. If you're going to just do some light trail riding, you can get away without ether. Adding anti-spin adds AT tires as well. The AT tires look a lot better, and my bridgestones road handle pretty well.

 

[jerseymike]

I got the anti-spin because it adds a Dana 44 in the rear which is a must if you ever plan on lifting and adding bigger tires for off roading. If you're going to just do some light trail riding, you can get away without ether. Adding anti-spin adds AT tires as well. The AT tires look a lot better, and my bridgestones road handle pretty well.

agree completely, Limited slip is a great option and deal, not only is it much better on road when driving in wet conditions but it gives you a much heavier duty rear axle (same as rubicon) for a bargain price.

AT tires are a no-brainer option for looks and off road ability especially since they are free, only downside is slightly more rolling resistance (less gas mileage) and more noise (both are only minimal).

 

[BMahon9]

agree completely, Limited slip is a great option and deal, not only is it much better on road when driving in wet conditions but it gives you a much heavier duty rear axle (same as rubicon) for a bargain price.

AT tires are a no-brainer option for looks and off road ability especially since they are free, only downside is slightly more rolling resistance (less gas mileage) and more noise (both are only minimal).

Thanks for the feedback. The LSD sounds like it’s not totally necessary for somebody just getting into it like me. As I said, I'm not planning on doing a lot of off roading. But I don't want a car that looks the part and can't actually hack it. If it’s a good deal and a distinct improvement I think I’ll go for the better axle.

The AT tires look distinctly better to me too. I figure they still work well on the road. I’d read about the rolling resistance issue but less about the noise concern. If it were just me I’d definitely pick them, but my wife is concerned that with the soft top it’s going to be too noisy already at speed. So now I’ll probably...still pick the AT tires.

 

[NavyVet1959]

All season doesn't mean much where I'm at since it's probably 11 months of summer and then 1 month of weather where the air-conditioning in your house doesn't turn on *as often*. If you live somewhere that gets a lot of snow and ice, all season might still be a bit iffy during those times and you might want to have a spare set of snow tires. The all season tires are not very good in even mild off-road situations (e.g. wet pastures or overflow event parking). I've seen cases where vehicles had the all season tires on their vehicles and in what was only a semi-soft field, they started getting stuck. Having LSD help in that and having 4WD helps even more, but sometimes, you really need more tread and even the all terrain are not good enough when the slop really starts to happen. Just remember, it doesn't matter what you have on the vehicle, it means that you can get stuck in more inaccessible places. Even tracked vehicles can get stuck.

Noise? My hearing is crap from too many years on gun ranges back in the day when we didn't wear hearing protection. If you don't like the noise in a vehicle, then put in some foam ear plugs. I always keep a set with me. I find them especially useful if I have to do dinner with my wife's family...

 

[Bubba33]

Thanks for the feedback. The LSD sounds like it’s not totally necessary for somebody just getting into it like me. As I said, I'm not planning on doing a lot of off roading. But I don't want a car that looks the part and can't actually hack it. If it’s a good deal and a distinct improvement I think I’ll go for the better axle.

The AT tires look distinctly better to me too. I figure they still work well on the road. I’d read about the rolling resistance issue but less about the noise concern. If it were just me I’d definitely pick them, but my wife is concerned that with the soft top it’s going to be too noisy already at speed. So now I’ll probably...still pick the AT tires.

The LSD is a great option, you will notice it on wet pavement. Without it you will do allot of spinning, with it you will just take off.

 

[DougJaneway]

Thanks for the feedback. The LSD sounds like it’s not totally necessary for somebody just getting into it like me. As I said, I'm not planning on doing a lot of off roading. But I don't want a car that looks the part and can't actually hack it. If it’s a good deal and a distinct improvement I think I’ll go for the better axle.

The AT tires look distinctly better to me too. I figure they still work well on the road. I’d read about the rolling resistance issue but less about the noise concern. If it were just me I’d definitely pick them, but my wife is concerned that with the soft top it’s going to be too noisy already at speed. So now I’ll probably...still pick the AT tires.

You can't get the Dana 44 without the LSD. The LSD, Dana 44 and AT tires all come in a package.

 

[WXman]

1) The LSD option is good because it gives you the D44 axle. However, LSD is NOT good for icy/snowy weather so there are actually a lot of people who don't want it. And, the new Advantek D35 on the standard Sport models is much heavier duty than before and will handle larger tires just fine. I would never be afraid of the D35.

2) The "all-terrain" options you get with JL are either the Goodforayear Adventure AT with Kevlar or the Bridgestone Dueler A/T...both of which are barely any better than the HT tire options. They're kind of miserable, honestly. So you'll likely end up switching the tires anyhow.

 

[Bubba33]

1) The LSD option is good because it gives you the D44 axle. However, LSD is NOT good for icy/snowy weather so there are actually a lot of people who don't want it. And, the new Advantek D35 on the standard Sport models is much heavier duty than before and will handle larger tires just fine. I would never be afraid of the D35.

2) The "all-terrain" options you get with JL are either the Goodforayear Adventure AT with Kevlar or the Bridgestone Dueler A/T...both of which are barely any better than the HT tire options. They're kind of miserable, honestly. So you'll likely end up switching the tires anyhow.

That's bill shit about LSD in the snow and ice. I've had 4wd for over 30 years and never did I not want a LSD. If your talking just off road thats different. The lockers your not going to use in the rain on pavement.

 

[DougJaneway]

That's bill shit about LSD in the snow and ice. I've had 4wd for over 30 years and never did I not want a LSD. If your talking just off road thats different. The lockers your not going to use in the rain on pavement.

Agreed, LSD is much preferable in snow. I also own an infiniti g35 coupe. It has a LSD and it is WAY better in snow than friends of mine who have open diffs with rwd.

 

[WXman]

That's bill shit about LSD in the snow and ice. I've had 4wd for over 30 years and never did I not want a LSD. If your talking just off road thats different. The lockers your not going to use in the rain on pavement.

I've had 4WD for 23 years in ice and snow and LSD is dangerous, and well known to be so. LSD will cause the rear end to "walk" which is NOT what you want on a slick roadway.

Offroad LSD sucks because it doesn't provide enough bite to really keep both tires spinning. Onroad it sucks because it provides too much bite and it's dangerous in icy and light snow conditions because it puts lateral force on the axle on a slick road and kicks the rear end out more easily.

Not to mention it will wear out the clutches by the time powertrain warranty is expired. And, it requires fluid additive each time the fluid is changed and the additive needs to be in the perfect amount to prevent chatter.

So I'm calling bull shit on people actually wanting LSD. Maybe in DEEP snow, but certainly never on a slick roadway covered in a layer of ice or snow glaze. The D44 is nice, but not necessary if you're not rock crawling. The LSD is a waste of money. BLD is standard and works fine. And there is no replacement for a true locker if you're offroad.

 

[Bubba33]

Your

I've had 4WD for 23 years in ice and snow and LSD is dangerous, and well known to be so. LSD will cause the rear end to "walk" which is NOT what you want on a slick roadway.

Offroad LSD sucks because it doesn't provide enough bite to really keep both tires spinning. Onroad it suck because it provides too much bite it's dangerous in icy and light snow conditions.

Not to mention it will wear out the clutches by the time powertrain warranty is expired. And, it requires fluid additive each time the fluid is changed and the additive needs to be in the perfect amount to prevent chatter.

So I'm calling bull shit on people actually wanting LSD. Maybe in DEEP snow, but certainly never on a slick roadway covered in a layer of ice or snow glaze.

You're full of shit. LSD on pavement is better than a open rear end and a locker. Nothing is great on ice. WTF. big deal about adding additive when changing gear oil. I don't change them at all in my trucks. Recommended maintenance is longer than I'll own it. I've never wore out or broke a rear end that's been used mainly on road . OP your deffently better off getting it than not.

 

[Chubrocker]

I've had 4WD for 23 years in ice and snow and LSD is dangerous, and well known to be so. LSD will cause the rear end to "walk" which is NOT what you want on a slick roadway.

Offroad LSD sucks because it doesn't provide enough bite to really keep both tires spinning. Onroad it suck because it provides too much bite it's dangerous in icy and light snow conditions.

Not to mention it will wear out the clutches by the time powertrain warranty is expired. And, it requires fluid additive each time the fluid is changed and the additive needs to be in the perfect amount to prevent chatter.

So I'm calling bull shit on people actually wanting LSD. Maybe in DEEP snow, but certainly never on a slick roadway covered in a layer of ice or snow glaze.

Agree with LSD being terrible on ice or off camber hills with mud. In these situations forward momentum isn't a problem, but swapping ends when your LSD locks is. A spinning tire provides less grip lateral grip than a non spinning tire with an open diff. Another downfall is quick differential clutch wear if you drive a lot of gravel. One of the 87 reasons I went with rubicon, best of both worlds.

Sponsored