BLD, traction control and 4lo climbs + mild disappointment

[Kentano]

I had the opportunity to take my Sport with LSD out onto a moderate trail with success.

I wanted to tackle something a little tougher and tried going up a side trail and couldn’t get passed a rock shelf (not exactly an undercut).

I had it in 4lo, 1st and had the pedal down quite a bit and the TC was cutting power. It cut it so much that I stalled (manual). I tried it a couple times. We weren’t out there with any other rigs so I didn’t want to disable TC and attempt to bump it passed the rock shelf.

Does anyone know if hitting the esc button would also disable the BLD or would that just prevent it from cutting power?

Lastly, I learned that I couldn’t do a “no clutch start” in reverse in 4lo...not a big deal but wish that feature was there (to control backward descents).

I’m still a newbie to off-roading, so excuse my ignorance haha

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[jayp]

Going to 4 Lo should have turned off TC. If it was on for whatever reason turning it off does not disable BLD. BLD is always on. Not sure why no one answered this.

 

[JIMBOX]

Are you sure you were in 4lo/do you have the manual tranny or auto ??

JIMBO

 

[intentsrig]

One thing that would greatly help aid your traction would be disconnecting the front sway bar while off road. I have done the same trail twice once with and without sway bars off. With sway bars on I had many traction issues. Jeep would hit max flex and start spinning tires.

Takes a few extra minutes but totally worth it. My LSD and BLD and helped as well. I have lifted a tire and BLD cuts power to it. Btw could you 4lo start without clutch in 1st?

 

[intentsrig]

Also watch my driver front tire in this video.

 

[Mowery]

I feel like engine power is cut when trying to climb muddy hills in 4 low (automatic sport with LSD and Yok G003 m/t's). I needed to blow the tires off to get up a very muddy hill and my computer would not comply. BLD works well at low speed rock crawling, but anyone else experience a feeling of power loss when in 4 low (traction control should be off)?

 

[Shenanigans]

One thing that would greatly help aid your traction would be disconnecting the front sway bar while off road. I have done the same trail twice once with and without sway bars off. With sway bars on I had many traction issues. Jeep would hit max flex and start spinning tires.

Takes a few extra minutes but totally worth it. My LSD and BLD and helped as well. I have lifted a tire and BLD cuts power to it. Btw could you 4lo start without clutch in 1st?

Where was this photo taken at?

 

[intentsrig]

Where was this photo taken at?

On the Rubicon. Coming back towards loon lake from the slabs

 

[BobW]

I had the opportunity to take my Sport with LSD out onto a moderate trail with success.

I wanted to tackle something a little tougher and tried going up a side trail and couldn’t get passed a rock shelf (not exactly an undercut).

I had it in 4lo, 1st and had the pedal down quite a bit and the TC was cutting power. It cut it so much that I stalled (manual). I tried it a couple times. We weren’t out there with any other rigs so I didn’t want to disable TC and attempt to bump it passed the rock shelf.

Does anyone know if hitting the esc button would also disable the BLD or would that just prevent it from cutting power?

Lastly, I learned that I couldn’t do a “no clutch start” in reverse in 4lo...not a big deal but wish that feature was there (to control backward descents).

I’m still a newbie to off-roading, so excuse my ignorance haha

Hello Kentano--

I've not yet found a man trans JLU owner who can "no clutch" start (sample of several).

With my old 5sp Cherokee, I used no-clutch 1st-gear/4L start/stops routinely when crawling. This was the advised practice.
(And I think is still typical, for better control and to avoid clutch burning).

The 2018 JLU Owners Manual even explicitly says no-clutch start is a feature of man trans JLU [p306 !]. But my (new) 2018 Rubicon JLU won't, it (almost always--see PS) demands the clutch. BTW, when I called the helpline, the "Jeepwave Brand Specialist" said it would... I'm still trying to talk with someone at Jeep who has actually tried it.

PS Using a clumsy trick from another post--I have been able to get the JLU to display a "Press Brake and Push Button to Start" message. Which, if you're quick, does allow a no-clutch in-gear start. Not actually useful but make me think there is some kind of programming problem.

 

[Kentano]

Hello Kentano--

I've not yet found a man trans JLU owner who can "no clutch" start (sample of several).

With my old 5sp Cherokee, I used no-clutch 1st-gear/4L start/stops routinely when crawling. This was the advised practice.
(And I think is still typical, for better control and to avoid clutch burning).

The 2018 JLU Owners Manual even explicitly says no-clutch start is a feature of man trans JLU [p306 !]. But my (new) 2018 Rubicon JLU won't, it (almost always--see PS) demands the clutch. BTW, when I called the helpline, the "Jeepwave Brand Specialist" said it would... I'm still trying to talk with someone at Jeep who has actually tried it.

PS Using a clumsy trick from another post--I have been able to get the JLU to display a "Press Brake and Push Button to Start" message. Which, if you're quick, does allow a no-clutch in-gear start. Not actually useful but make me think there is some kind of programming problem.

Hopefully they fix it in a software update. I’ve since learned that I gotta give it some beans and/or feather the clutch a little when dealing with tough obstacles. The BLD does a pretty good job but they need to slip and slippage causes instability. Not ideal since there’s less precision/control but it gets the job done. On descents through rocks, I’ve learned to just clutch in and be surgical with the brake pedal. Dirt descents are relatively easy...some braking but let the engine do the breaking - point and shoot and trust that it’ll work out.

One thing I do find as an advantage with a manual, is how you can clutch-in any time to unwind the suspension if you start to 3-wheel and tip on a steep climb. I watched a lot of off road accidents on YouTube and many seemed to happen because the driver couldn’t cut/control the torque going to the wheels.

 

[Aox]

I came to this thread looking for info in no clutch starting the JL. I later found this YouTube video showing the process requires to do it, figured I’d share in case anyone else was looking.

 

[Az-jewel]

Have you regeared since you added a lift and bigger tires? I think my JLU Sport will do better climbing in 4lo once I regear. Not much power in 1st and 2nd and that makes it tougher for me on steep rocks. (I stalled twice on a 45* rock a few weeks back. Third try I gunned it and got up).

 

[D60]

I came to this thread looking for info in no clutch starting the JL. I later found this YouTube video showing the process requires to do it, figured I’d share in case anyone else was looking.

Well that's moderately worthless. If you stalled while not on the brake apparently it doesn't work. Want to maybe consult with a spotter from the drivers seat for more than 20 seconds? Never mind, the vehicle got bored and forgot what was going on.

 

[Jamrock]

I love to see you guys taking out the Sport and Sport S Jeeps on trails. We want a better idea of what they can do.
Please post more videos and pics.

Mild mannered CPA during the week... Jeep enthusiast on weekends. Sounds good to me.

 

[HeavyUser]

Well that's moderately worthless. If you stalled while not on the brake apparently it doesn't work. Want to maybe consult with a spotter from the drivers seat for more than 20 seconds? Never mind, the vehicle got bored and forgot what was going on.

Not true, I stalled out yesterday trying to climb over some boulders, left the vehicle in gear with foot on brake then pressed the start button and was able to turn over the vehicle with no issues. I believe he only used the brake to be able to stall...

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