Conundrum

[Alpha Delta]

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.

Right, which is why this decision is so difficult for us.

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[Sheepjeep]

I have driven multiple trucks and Jeeps with manual and auto shift transfer cases and live in MA and have had my JL Rubicon for a year now

Select Trac is nice set it and forget it, it's a good off road low range but not as good as the rock Trac in the rubicon.

Driving in the snow on paved roads if it is not plowed well then I throw it into 4h but once the road is clear and the storms has passed keep it 2 hi. The stability control will do more to help in those conditions than the transfer case.


As for off-road, the transfer case and axles are a common limiter and hardest and most expensive this to source and replace. You will do fine with the select Trac low range most Jeeps out there since the 80s have a similar low range, just the Rubicon is just better. The front axles will also be a limiter too if you go bigger tires.

 

[Alpha Delta]

Another option I'm considering is getting a Rubicon and throwing some dedicated winters for her. The 2.0 is really winning us over. And down the road, I will definitely take it on some adventurous trails where lockers and sway bar disconnect will help.

 

[Lincoln]

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!

I was just contemplating the same decision My wife to uses the Jeep as a daily driver if she doesn’t take the van It was a little easier decision because neither of us like the body color top so we went with the Sahara We got it loaded up with leather premium audio led lights which are awesome but I definitely wanted the limited slip rear axle and that option gives you the at tires We didn’t get the select trac but my wife was used to shifting into 4wd from the JKU we traded for the JLU We are just south of you in mass and the Jeep goes great in the snow Not many places to go 4 wheeling down here but we do get up to central Maine in the kennebec river area and down to the beaches on the outer cape and sometimes to assateague island in Maryland on the beach We haven’t had our JLU there yet but we took our JKU to all those places which was equipped the same as the JLU We do flat tow it behind our Motorhome and the Sahara goes just great off road and on road I’m definitely happy with the Sahara overall and very happy we got the 3.6 They make about the same power at sea level and we test drove both and liked the 3.6 better I’m not to crazy about Fiats 2.0 and the 3.6 is proven and I know Fiat stands for Fix It Again Tony and we never had any problems with the JKU s 3.6 so we went with that I don’t think you could go wrong either way That’s why they make all the different models Good luck on your decision

 

[MaineLotus]

New owner of a Moab and happy with the Selectrac, particularly for the variable conditions here in Maine. I pretty much leave it in 4auto and never worry about it. Once the snow is gone, i'll switch it back to 2wd.

 

[Sean L]

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.

I am going to second this.

Sahara, Select Trac and 2.0 Turbo. It can also be done cheaper than a MOAB as well.

 

[Jeeporama]

JLUR and buy some automatic steps if you or your wife think you may have some trouble getting in and out. 3.6L is awesome fun.

 

[jayvis]

I was just contemplating the same decision My wife to uses the Jeep as a daily driver if she doesn’t take the van It was a little easier decision because neither of us like the body color top so we went with the Sahara We got it loaded up with leather premium audio led lights which are awesome but I definitely wanted the limited slip rear axle and that option gives you the at tires We didn’t get the select trac but my wife was used to shifting into 4wd from the JKU we traded for the JLU We are just south of you in mass and the Jeep goes great in the snow Not many places to go 4 wheeling down here but we do get up to central Maine in the kennebec river area and down to the beaches on the outer cape and sometimes to assateague island in Maryland on the beach We haven’t had our JLU there yet but we took our JKU to all those places which was equipped the same as the JLU We do flat tow it behind our Motorhome and the Sahara goes just great off road and on road I’m definitely happy with the Sahara overall and very happy we got the 3.6 They make about the same power at sea level and we test drove both and liked the 3.6 better I’m not to crazy about Fiats 2.0 and the 3.6 is proven and I know Fiat stands for Fix It Again Tony and we never had any problems with the JKU s 3.6 so we went with that I don’t think you could go wrong either way That’s why they make all the different models Good luck on your decision

In case you didn't know, your JLU's 3.6L is also a Fiat engine.

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