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

[Headbarcode]

I, for one, prefer the straightforward part-time transfer case in my JLUR. I'm not a fan of clutches wearing and leaving abrasive material in the oil that I depend on for cooling and lubrication.

I also added the B&M Racing extended t-case handle for the sake of easier shifting on the fly. I'm plenty capable and attentive to reading the road conditions, so I have no need for a computer to shift for me.

Just my 2 cents

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[dragoneggs]

I have the 4W Auto on my JLR. I love it. Used it today in fact on my long steep and curved driveway that has patches of snow, ice, and wet asphalt pavement.

 

[stumblinhorse]

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

I think it suits many types of drivers today. So I think it is something many people should have on their JL. There are countless posts on here about Part time 4WD turned on on wet roads and thinking it is a problem pulling into a parking spot and lurching and skidding and is something broken? Not insulting people that have posted that at all. But it makes the JL more marketable to the masses. New Drivers today would panic if their vehicle slid or went sideways around a turn.

But if I had a choice in my 392 I would not have ordered it…. Pull the lever and tada 4WD….

 

[2nd 392]

I hit an unseen deeply flooded low spot due to an irrigation fail at ~70mph on a dark country road at ~4AM. Immediately coming to a stop with the rear end catching up to the left front , mashed the throttle and the front axle pulled me straight. A sudden emergency requiring an instant response while being thrown around is not conducive to shifting in a timely manner!

 

[Reinen]

As I see it, 4WD Auto's primary purpose is to address the Achilles Heel of 4WD PT, winter driving.

Even if you know better than to take a curve at 40 MPH in 4WD PT, the reality is you're not going to shift in and out of 4WD PT as often as you should in variable winter conditions. It's a pain and sooner or later even the best winter drivers will get lazy about it. Possibly resulting in a drive-off crash.

4WD Auto is simply there when you need 4WD, and not there when 4WD is dangerous. Completely seamless and zero effort on behalf of the driver. While not as good as AWD in winter road conditions, it comes as close as a 4WD vehicle can get.

 

[Vinman]

I have yet to see a single person have the 5 position transfer case with 4 high auto and not liking it or have any problems with it.
It seems all the people that dislike it has never owned one.

 

[Strommen95]

It seems all the people that dislike it has never owned one.

Unlikely. Nobody dislikes it, it just tends to get overrated by people who are scared to drive in the snow. When Jeeps are astronomically priced and each option is so bloated, one needs to consider what options are actual must haves.

If somebody even needs to consider using 4WD, the roads would be slick at the very least and they could just remain in 4HI. If you feel better with it, by all means use it and be happy. Peace of mind is worth a lot. But for many drivers, this is an option that just doesn't make a difference.

 

[aldo98229]

Unlikely. Nobody dislikes it, it just tends to get overrated by people who are scared to drive in the snow. When Jeeps are astronomically priced and each option is so bloated, one needs to consider what options are actual must haves.

If somebody even needs to consider using 4WD, the roads would be slick at the very least and they could just remain in 4HI. If you feel better with it, by all means use it and be happy. Peace of mind is worth a lot. But for many drivers, this is an option that just doesn't make a difference.

Particularly if you live in AZ or FL...

Selec-Trac is one of those features you wonder how you ever lived without after you had it for a few months.

And at $600, IMO it is the greatest bargain on JL’s list of overpriced options.

But perhaps it’s best that people continue to skip it. Knowing Jeep, they will quadruple the price the moment buyers start ordering it.

 

[Strommen95]

Particularly if you live in AZ or FL...

Selec-Trac is one of those features you wonder how you ever lived without after you had it for a few months.

And at $600, IMO it is the greatest bargain on JL’s list of overpriced options.

But perhaps it’s best that people continue to skip it. Knowing Jeep, they will quadruple the price the moment buyers start ordering it.

I live in New York. Full time 4WD hasn't made a difference when I've had it. I have the exact opposite opinion that it would be almost a complete waste of $600 for me personally. For others, the peace of mind is more than worth it.

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

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.

4H auto functions almost exactly like Part Time 4x4.

Its a MP3022 Transfer case it's used in 2011-2021 Grand Cherokee WK2 and the new WL models.

IF you want to know how it actually works read this

https://www.4xeforums.com/threads/m...n-and-monitoring-with-j-scan.2602/#post-31415

 

[aldo98229]

4H auto functions almost exactly like Part Time 4x4.

Its a MP3022 Transfer case it's used in 2011-2021 Grand Cherokee WK2 and the new WL models.

IF you want to know how it actually works read this

https://www.4xeforums.com/threads/m...n-and-monitoring-with-j-scan.2602/#post-31415

Is that the Quadra-Trac II?

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

Is that the Quadra-Trac II?

No its the full time 4x4 system used in the wrangler.

Grand Cherokee system is called quadra trac II, or if the rear ELSD is added Quadra Drive II

Even the Full time 4x4 system in the wrangler when in Part Time 4H doesn't lock the axles under certain conditions

 

[aldo98229]

No its the full time 4x4 system used in the wrangler.

Grand Cherokee system is called quadra trac II, or if the rear ELSD is added Quadra Drive II

Even the Full time 4x4 system in the wrangler when in Part Time 4H doesn't lock the axles under certain conditions

You are saying the same thing I’m saying... ?

My understanding is that in part-time mode, front and rear are locked at the center like in all part-time Jeep transfer cases.

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

You are saying the same thing I’m saying... ?

My understanding is that in part-time mode, front and rear are locked at the center like in all part-time Jeep transfer cases.

Except when the speed goes above 18mph then the transfer case unlocks, yes even in Part Time 4H mode

 

[aldo98229]

Except when the speed goes above 18mph then the transfer case unlocks, yes even in Part Time 4H mode

You might be right. But I don’t see Jeep installing such a transfer case on Rubicon, let alone calling it “Heavy Duty.”

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