Full time 4WD on a Rubicon - thoughts /experience?

[wanderer]

So. I have a 2020!gladiator rubicon with metal cloak 3.5 inch lift 37s gator green. Loaded. Love this truck. But. I miss the ease of driving a smaller vehicle so I started. Browsing dun dun dun! And came across a 2022 rubicon sarge green with. Full time 4 whl drive and the extreme 35” wheel packages. It reminded me of my. First jeep a 77 cj7 golden eagle package with. Full time 4wheel drive that Jeep was like magic to drive the feeling was indescribable
so my questions are
Do any of you have one and what do you think of it Should I sell my gladiator and get that Jeep. Or do something else like a a Cherokee trail hawk to run around town. The gladiator is my work truck.
I have owned 2 other rubicons in the past a 2008 jk and a 2018 jl I love the packages

I had planned to add an at habitat to my truck an. Sell the bed rack and gfc ultra light rtt
This will probably be my last new jeepnas I am almost 70?

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[Maverickxeo]

"Full time" on the JLs is basically just an automatic shifting from 2wd to 4wd. I personally don't think it's worth it - I had the same 'system' on an Envoy and it was trash (although that is a totally different vehicle from two decades ago - I'm sure the JL is FAR more refined).

I do like the "real" full time system that was on the older XJs/ZJs - I swapped a 242 transfer case into my old Grand Cherokee - it had 2wd, 4hi (part time), 4hi (full time), neutral, and 4low (part time).

 

[Vinman]

I have the auto 4wd in my Rubicon wouldn’t even consider another Jeep without it.
The system works flawlessly, roads today are a mix of dry, packed snow and occasional ice. Shift into 4 high auto and forget about it. One of the best features is no “pushing” through the tight corners on slippery surfaces like traditional 4 high does.

 

[aldo98229]

This is my ninth (9th) Wrangler; first with the Selec-Trac full-time 4WD: I wouldn't buy another Wrangler without it.

It takes the guessing out of shifting into 4WD in changing weather conditions, and it still works like full-blown part-time 4WD on the trails. The system shifts back-and-forth between 2WD and 4WD instantly, seamlessly and imperceptibly. It is a great system.

 

[Philly_]

I have it in my JLR. Was concerned about the CV boots at first, but quickly got over it. I only use 4Auto (full time), when I’m really going to jump on the gas, in heavy rain, or when the roads just start to freeze.

In heavy snow or off road, I still use part time 4WD so that I don’t over heat the transfer case.

It really is a fantastic system, and I wouldn’t let it hold you back from buying a Jeep. Whether or not I would order it again is up in the air, as I don’t think it’s a necessity, it was kind of just a nice to have and I thought I would give it a shot while ordering.

I will add, that I do enjoy the CV’s on the front axle over a traditional U-joint, now that I’ve put some miles on them (~16k). And when you do start to get some bind while turning tightly in the rocks, in 4low, the power delivery feels much smoother. Standard U-joints feel like they’re hopping to me in similar scenarios.

Lastly, Jeep markets that transfer case as “heavy duty.” Although, I’m not sure that it’s any beefier than the standard Rubicon transfer case, maybe someone else here knows for sure?

 

[aldo98229]

Lastly, Jeep markets that transfer case as “heavy duty.” Although, I’m not sure that it’s any beefier than the standard Rubicon transfer case, maybe someone else here knows for sure?

My take on the "heavy duty" claim is that it is mostly marketing talk aimed to reassure would-be buyers that the system is just as capable as Rubicon's proven "Rock-Trac" part-time system.

 

[Plumbean]

I ordered it on my XR and so far am quite happy with it, although I really haven't had the chance to put it to work yet. But winter is coming ...

 

[Philly_]

My take on the "heavy duty" claim is that it is mostly marketing talk aimed to reassure would-be buyers that the system is just as capable as Rubicon's proven "Rock-Trac" part-time system.

That would make sense. I also haven’t heard of any stress related failures of this transfer case, or really any of the Jeep transfer cases without huge tires and more extreme mods.

I know litebrite just grenaded theirs, but I’m not sure it was the original Rubicon transfer case. I do know they never had full time 4wd, though.

 

[MesaAZGuy]

Can you keep both vehicles? I had it on my 4xe and it worked flawlessly. Didn't even know when it was engaging. I left it in 4w auto most of the time since I liked to launch the thing! (Never really did get their projected mileage out of the battery, but it sure was fun!) I ordered my new Rubicon XR with it. Contrary to beliefs about the CV boots, It gives it a little more maintenance free capability. If they crap out, swap them out but for the most part I have not heard of any issues with either the transfer case or the CV boots. I would always get the selec-trac on any Jeep moving forward.

If you are looking to get something more compact, I think both vehicles are almost the same length, no? I would have purchased a Gladiator but coming out of several pickup trucks for my business, I wanted to go for something different. My ladders go on the roof rack when my guys need them delivered to their jobs. Larger materials I have delivered.

 

[Montanabound]

Get yourself a 392

 

[stumblinhorse]

As others have said it is nice. But it is not intended to replace part time 4WD. When you think you need 4WD you need to shift Into PT 4WD. Otherwise the clutches will be transferring power back and forth. This will cause wear on the t-case, not sure how much, time will tell…. This is a new setup for a wrangler and we’ll see if the clutches can wear out on a more off road type vehicle.

 

[aldo98229]

As others have said it is nice. But it is not intended to replace part time 4WD. When you think you need 4WD you need to shift Into PT 4WD. Otherwise the clutches will be transferring power back and forth. This will cause wear on the t-case, not sure how much, time will tell…. This is a new setup for a wrangler and we’ll see if the clutches can wear out on a more off road type vehicle.

Selec-Trac has been in continuous production in various forms for 40+ years.

Selec-Trac first appeared on 1980 SJ Wagoneer and Cherokee Chief. It was then widely used on XJ Cherokee, ZJ and WJ Grand Cherokees, and KK and KJ Libertys. No one can accuse owners of any of those Jeeps to have treated them with silk gloves.

I had Selec-Trac on my 1995 and 2001 Grand Cherokees: it was a phenomenal 4WD system.

The original Selec-Trac used a viscous coupling. About twenty years ago Jeep then switched to the clutch pack setup being used today. Selec-Trac has been serving Jeep owners flawlessly all this time; clutch wear not being an issue.

Jeep finally introduced Selec-Trac to JL Wrangler in 2018. It was long overdue if you ask me. It truly is an excellent 4WD system.

 

[stumblinhorse]

Selec-Trac has been in continuous production in various forms since 1980.

Selec-Trac first appeared on SJ Wagoneer and Cherokee Chief. It was then widely used on XJ Cherokee, ZJ and WJ Grand Cherokees, and KK and KJ Libertys. No one can accuse owners of any of those Jeeps to have treated them with silk gloves.

I had Selec-Trac on my 1995 and 2001 Grand Cherokees: it was a phenomenal 4WD system.

The original Selec-Trac used a viscous coupling. About twenty years ago Jeep then switched to the clutch pack setup being used today. Selec-Trac has been serving Jeep owners flawlessly all this time; clutch wear not being an issue.

Jeep finally introduced Selec-Trac to JL Wrangler in 2018. It was long overdue if you ask me. It truly is an excellent 4WD system.

I think a JL uses a MP3022 t-case For selec-trac II. I am sure you know better than me, but I think that was only in a Jeep liberty before being offered in a JL in 2018?

 

[aldo98229]

I think a JL uses a MP3022 t-case For selec-trac II. I am sure you know better than me, but I think that was only in a Jeep liberty before being offered in a JL in 2018?

Correct.

Selec-Trac stopped being offered I believe on 2005+ Grand Cherokees. That’s when Daimler took Grand Cherokee away from its off-road roots and turned it into the highway princess it is today.

Jeep continued offering it on Liberty as Selec-Trac II, though. The current system is basically the same clutch-pack setup with the “II” removed.

 

[Cux211]

It’s not like the full time 4wd you’re thinking of it’s a 4wd auto system honestly I think it’s a waste of money I’ve had it in several pickups and never use it my thought is if you need 4wd put it in 4wd

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