Conundrum

[Alpha Delta]

I've been lurking here for close to a year and learned plenty but I do have a new twist in my decision on which Wrangler to get.

This will be our family "fun truck" but my wife will use it as her DD. She's coming from an Acura MDX and has no experience driving trucks or truck-based SUVs where a little more driver input is required for 4x4. She told me she wants a new SUV where she doesn't want to think about doing any of that. Now, she's a good woman and will work with me. I taught her how to drive a manual, after all, so I definitely can teach her how to shift and understand 4x4 hi/lo. I was dead set on a Rubicon but then I see the MOAB come along....

So here's our situation and what we'll be using the Jeep for:

• We live in Maine which is a very rocky state and I've seen some great wheeling videos from around here, but I'm not so sure I'd be comfortable tackling big boulders (where I'm sure lockers and sway bar disconnect will come in handy) on a brand new Jeep that we'll be making payments on.
• We do a lot of traveling in the summer to camping sites and I like to hunt in the fall which takes me on some burly side trails up north that I think all Wranglers will handle just fine
• Maine winters!

A few questions then:

• For those who live in the Northeast, does selec-trac make more sense given the snow/slush? Maybe it will be pointless for me to get a Rubicon (even though I really wanted the 2.0) if I'm not planning on doing serious offroading?
• For those who have experience with selec-trac and rock-trac in the Northeast, did you find the selec-trac less of a hassle to deal with? I guess I'm asking this question more towards your spouses. I enjoy having a more active involvement in 4x4. My wife, however, is not a big fan of driving in snowstorms and she will probably be more stressed out thinking about switching to/from 4x4. Some towns here are slower than others in cleaning snow, so we may drive through nice, clean (albeit wet) roads, only having to enter a completely snow covered one, so driving engagement is important with the Rubicon.

Thanks in advance!

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[GreyFox]

I would say selec-trac hands down especially if it's your wife's DD. And if we had that option in 2 doors, I'd have it! In my opinion, the Moab is a very nice aesthetically pleasing vehicle. A good Saharacon. BTW, did you ask your wife what she would want? Let her test drive and then decide. No matter what you get, you will be very capable in Maine. (I used to live in Bangor) Good luck!

 

[SnowDog]

My wife's daily driver is an MDX. I don't have it because it wasn't available, but I would definitely get the selec-trac if you think this would be an issue for her. Shifting the crankcase between modes takes some strength in some situations and doesn't always work perfectly. For example, I've moved it into 4H and the indicator says it's engaged and then a minute later I look down and see the indicator is back in 2H and I have to do it again as the change didn't complete for some reason. Of course, the MDX is super refined and so I think moving from that to a rock-trac could be a bit jarring for her.

 

[Rahneld]

IMHO, if you can afford it: the Moab JL

Reasons:

* ..my wife will use it as her DD. She's coming from an Acura MDX and has no experience driving trucks or truck-based SUVs where a little more driver input is required for 4x4.

* ..I'm not so sure I'd be comfortable tackling big boulders


So comfort is the daily need, and offroading is the perhaps, occasional pastime--for which you will find the Moab more than capable.

 

[TJ2018]

Just curious why the MOAB would be recommended above the Sahara? I realize MOAB is like the progeny of a Sahara & Rubicon, but doesn't it come with M/T tires? I haven't done a LOT of research but these would seem to be much less DD friendly than opting for the Sahara with A/T tires. I think I'd have to break with the majority here and recommend the Sahara. Still a VERY capable vehicle with better on-road manners.

 

[Alpha Delta]

I would say selec-trac hands down especially if it's your wife's DD. And if we had that option in 2 doors, I'd have it! In my opinion, the Moab is a very nice aesthetically pleasing vehicle. A good Saharacon. BTW, did you ask your wife what she would want? Let her test drive and then decide. No matter what you get, you will be very capable in Maine. (I used to live in Bangor) Good luck!

Nice. We lived in Bangor for 7 years.

We're planning on test driving in a few months when the weather is better to take the top off, but we're 99% sure it will be a Wrangler. My wife is great, not too picky and she does like the fact that you can take the top down.

 

[Alpha Delta]

Just curious why the MOAB would be recommended above the Sahara? I realize MOAB is like the progeny of a Sahara & Rubicon, but doesn't it come with M/T tires? I haven't done a LOT of research but these would seem to be much less DD friendly than opting for the Sahara with A/T tires. I think I'd have to break with the majority here and recommend the Sahara. Still a VERY capable vehicle with better on-road manners.

Not so much what's recommended but what I'm choosing between (a Rubicon or a Moab). I like the look of a Moab more than the Sahara. I'm planning on swapping for bigger tires (not M/T) and a small lift.

 

[word302]

I've been lurking here for close to a year and learned plenty but I do have a new twist in my decision on which Wrangler to get.

This will be our family "fun truck" but my wife will use it as her DD. She's coming from an Acura MDX and has no experience driving trucks or truck-based SUVs where a little more driver input is required for 4x4. She told me she wants a new SUV where she doesn't want to think about doing any of that. Now, she's a good woman and will work with me. I taught her how to drive a manual, after all, so I definitely can teach her how to shift and understand 4x4 hi/lo. I was dead set on a Rubicon but then I see the MOAB come along....

So here's our situation and what we'll be using the Jeep for:

• We live in Maine which is a very rocky state and I've seen some great wheeling videos from around here, but I'm not so sure I'd be comfortable tackling big boulders (where I'm sure lockers and sway bar disconnect will come in handy) on a brand new Jeep that we'll be making payments on.
• We do a lot of traveling in the summer to camping sites and I like to hunt in the fall which takes me on some burly side trails up north that I think all Wranglers will handle just fine
• Maine winters!

A few questions then:

• For those who live in the Northeast, does selec-trac make more sense given the snow/slush? Maybe it will be pointless for me to get a Rubicon (even though I really wanted the 2.0) if I'm not planning on doing serious offroading?
• For those who have experience with selec-trac and rock-trac in the Northeast, did you find the selec-trac less of a hassle to deal with? I guess I'm asking this question more towards your spouses. I enjoy having a more active involvement in 4x4. My wife, however, is not a big fan of driving in snowstorms and she will probably be more stressed out thinking about switching to/from 4x4. Some towns here are slower than others in cleaning snow, so we may drive through nice, clean (albeit wet) roads, only having to enter a completely snow covered one, so driving engagement is important with the Rubicon.

Thanks in advance!

Honestly, Wranglers are terrible snow/ice vehicles. Selec-trac is great to get you moving, but the issue is stopping. Big heavy rig with a high center of gravity is a bear to get stopped in poor traction conditions. I'd much rather drive my wife's Honda Civic in the snow than my Jeep.

 

[Alpha Delta]

Honestly, Wranglers are terrible snow/ice vehicles. Selec-trac is great to get you moving, but the issue is stopping. Big heavy rig with a high center of gravity is a bear to get stopped in poor traction conditions. I'd much rather drive my wife's Honda Civic in the snow than my Jeep.

Snow driving is definitely not the focus of our purchase. I'm sure the Wrangler will do just fine with a good set of tires. The bigger question is for those who's wives have driven a Rubicon in the Northeast and how they felt about it coming from an AWD SUV which requires zero driving input.

 

[word302]

Snow driving is definitely not the focus of our purchase. I'm sure the Wrangler will do just fine with a good set of tires. The bigger question is for those who's wives have driven a Rubicon in the Northeast and how they felt about it coming from an AWD SUV which requires zero driving input.

Honestly it completely depends on her. It's definitely going to take quite a bit more work/thought to drive the Rubicon. My wife loves the Jeep and has no issue operating the transfer case. But then again, she also prefers a manual transmission.

 

[robaw]

IMO selectrac would be the way to go. Just leave it in 4H Auto and go. I'm OK with knowing when to use 2H vs 4H, but I like 4H Auto on roads with varying conditions and 4H Part Time when needed (if I'm off-road and/or stuck).

 

[Robmypro]

I agree the Rubicon even in 4H is not the best in snow. My LX is far more confidence inspiring.

 

[jayvis]

If you want the 2.0L Turbo, you'll have to get either a Rubicon or Sahara. The MOAB is only available with the 3.6L. Selectrac is available on the Sahara with 2.0L Turbo or 3.6L.

 

[Alpha Delta]

Thanks, I think what I may end up doing is waiting for some decent snow fall and have my wife test drive both a Sahara with selec-trac and a Rubicon. We're in no rush. The plan is for us to get a 2020 model, the Moab may not even be available by then. That will make the choice easier!

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