Question for Experienced Off-Roaders on Options

[stumblinhorse]

AWD seems to make sense for the snow ... when traction comes and goes the computer can automatically put some extra torque on the non 2WD drivetrain wheels. (front for jeep, back for my Nissan Rogue with AWD).

AWD is probably great for anyone who lives on a dirt road that randomly has muddy spots.

For the beach - it's pretty obvious that you left the pavement and are now on the sand, just manually switch into 4hi or 4lo if you expect it to be soft. You're not going to be driving fast on a beach in any event ...

I live in a very rainy area. Not sure if AWD is needed. Traction control and ABS are extremely important to keep you from losing control.

If you lived in an area that had random black ice ... maybe AWD would be a big deal? I know ABS and traction control will also be critical, are they enough?

I can’t keep up with all the newest wrangler options. But I don’t think there is an AWD option. There is a 4WD auto option. That is definitely not AWD. It is simply 4WD engaged by the computer.

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[five9dak]

...

Question, is it mechanically possible to have both a locker and a LSD on your axle? (I'll let someone else with more knowledge chime in). If you can't have both - that would also explain why the Rubi doesn't have the LSD.
....

Yes TJ rubicon had d44 rear locker with LSD. It wasn't particularly reliable and was pretty complex. Which is probably why Jeep stopped bothering on later generations.

 

[five9dak]

The Sport also makes sense if you just want a basic jeep. A stock wrangler sport is more capable than most other 4WD vehicles. It is perfect "as is" for many things that no other vehicle can do:
- dune buggy on the sand
- dealing with high water, mud, washed out roads from a flood or hurricane
- getting up the dirt road to a cabin or deer stand
- cruising with the top down and just enjoying the weather (on pavement and off)
- driving with the doors off because it's cool
- landscape and wildlife photography - it can get you places a car can't go, and in Sunrider mode you can stand up and have a 360 field of view to grab the shot.
- dealing with snow and ice, especially snow and ice and hills.
- and it's a perfectly acceptable daily driver and decent highway SUV.

The only other vehicle that can do these things is the new Bronco w/ soft top.

If you want creature comforts (and who doesn't if you can afford them), just go up in trim levels to a Sport S, Sahara, or High Altitude.

- if you want to run with the doors off all the time buy leather seats and replace the carpet with armorlite.

A wrangler sport is capable enough for nearly everyone on this forum. A stock TJ with open diffs and 31s will get up and down blue rated trails. You dont need 35s and lockers to off road if you have a short wheelbase, good articulation and solid axles.

 

[GATORB8]

I can’t keep up with all the newest wrangler options. But I don’t think there is an AWD option. There is a 4WD auto option. That is definitely not AWD. It is simply 4WD engaged by the computer.

Not quite, the MP3022 is clutched based and computer modifies torque transfer.

I never turn on 4 Auto for just rain.

 

[Bzinsky]

I can’t keep up with all the newest wrangler options. But I don’t think there is an AWD option. There is a 4WD auto option. That is definitely not AWD. It is simply 4WD engaged by the computer.

It most certainly is awd

whats the difference between awd and 4wd by definition

-4wd locks the front and rear axle together
-Awd has a center differential. This can be gear based or clutch based. The purpose for the differential is so you drive on dry pavement. Differential = the shafts can turn at different speeds.

What does the wrangler do? It uses clutches to send a continuously variable amount of torque to the front. THAT is a differential! No different than AWD. Infact there are sports cars, like the bmw m5, that do the exact same thing.

That is why 4auto is awesome.

It’s a transfer case that allows 2wd, awd, and 4wd. It’s the best of all worlds.

To top it off, compared to all the vehicles out there that are actually labeled “AWD”, 4auto is actually a really nice AWD system. My wifes rdx sends a whopping 10% of the torque to the rear. The 4auto systems allows up to a full 50/50 torque split.

 

[KOKOKO]

I’m finalizing a build spec now (Sahara High Altitude with Diesel engine). My usage will be assumed to be 100% on road only because I have no experience off-road. But I’m not ruling out light duty (bunny trail) off-roading as a future hobby with retirement on the horizon.

So for possible light duty off-road use, there are a few options that I do not know if they add value or not for this purpose:

• Selec-Trac full time AWD – I assume this one is not needed
• Anti-spin diff
• Front off-road camera
• Rock slider with step assist

I fully understand the first move will be swapping out wheels & tires, but would any of the four above be recommended?

Thanks

Not many votes for front camera. I ordered a 2021 Willy's with everything I thought I wanted. Wish I would have included the front camera. Discovered how useful it can be on new TrailBoss. Yes, after market options are available but all discussions state how much better the factory camera is. Just my 2 cents. Best of Luck.

 

[Rony]

Rock sliders:
If you're planning to go rock crawling/climbing I would just buy the Rubiconrock sliders, people are trying to get rid of those for really cheap.
The step will most likely get you stuck on some big rocks. If you do need the step, I will look for something like this:

 

[GRXKen]

I’m finalizing a build spec now (Sahara High Altitude with Diesel engine). My usage will be assumed to be 100% on road only because I have no experience off-road. But I’m not ruling out light duty (bunny trail) off-roading as a future hobby with retirement on the horizon.

So for possible light duty off-road use, there are a few options that I do not know if they add value or not for this purpose:

• Selec-Trac full time AWD – I assume this one is not needed
• Anti-spin diff
• Front off-road camera
• Rock slider with step assist

I fully understand the first move will be swapping out wheels & tires, but would any of the four above be recommended?

Thanks

Honestly if all you are doing is what you call "bunny trails" you don't need any of it. This past week I did 3 moderate to difficult trails in my Rubicon and my daughter followed me in her stock base model Gladiator with street tires and she was able to do all but a handful of the most difficult obstacles. Most people want the look. A base 4WD drive jeep is very capable.

It was certainly easier in my Rubicon but no less fun in either. Your Sahara will be fine.

 

[GATORB8]

Honestly if all you are doing is what you call "bunny trails" you don't need any of it.

Don't recommend any trail actually called "Bunny Trail" unless you are setup. It's usually ironic.

The Bunny Trail in Greenbrier, WV is why we upgraded to 37s and more lift: (JJUSA description)

Bunny Trail • Level 7–8 • Red You won’t find any brier patches on this challenging trail. The ride starts out on a nice winding gravel road through the beautiful mountainside up to Monkey Barrel Holler. The first challenge is a rocky creek trail that changes each year with the help of mother nature. This trail has many large rocks that will test your jeep and your off road driving ability. Once out of the creek we will head up to the Bunny trail and drop in and out of a steep ravine which is a loose rocky climb with several opportunities to get off camber when a tire drops into a rocky hole. Returning jeepers will notice mother nature has made many changes to the Bunny trail making some areas challenging and exciting while other areas are no longer passable requiring to be bypassed.

Required Equipment: Working winch, 35” or larger tires, and at least one locking differential. Recommended are two locking differentials. Expect to use your skid plates as you will hear and feel the rocks scrape your undercarriage.

 

[WAVPLS]

A datapoint: the LSD in the non-rubicon axles seem to be plagued with problems. Many are on their 2nd, 3rd, or 4th rear end. I’m currently going through the process of getting my rear end “fixed” by my dealership right now.

Be aware that if you get the LSD, you may be in the position of needing your rear end replaced every several thousand miles, as many others have.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/knock-in-rear-with-dana-44.16921/

 

[GRXKen]

Don't recommend any trail actually called "Bunny Trail" unless you are setup. It's usually ironic.

I am taking bunny trail in the tone the OP intended and clearly I am not making a suggestion on a trail for him

 

[GATORB8]

I am taking bunny trail in the tone the OP intended and clearly I am not making a suggestion on a trail for him

Understood, I just replied because you brought it back up .

 

[Shark01]

Don't recommend any trail actually called "Bunny Trail" unless you are setup. It's usually ironic.

The Bunny Trail in Greenbrier, WV is why we upgraded to 37s and more lift: (JJUSA description)

Bunny Trail • Level 7–8 • Red You won’t find any brier patches on this challenging trail. The ride starts out on a nice winding gravel road through the beautiful mountainside up to Monkey Barrel Holler. The first challenge is a rocky creek trail that changes each year with the help of mother nature. This trail has many large rocks that will test your jeep and your off road driving ability. Once out of the creek we will head up to the Bunny trail and drop in and out of a steep ravine which is a loose rocky climb with several opportunities to get off camber when a tire drops into a rocky hole. Returning jeepers will notice mother nature has made many changes to the Bunny trail making some areas challenging and exciting while other areas are no longer passable requiring to be bypassed.

Required Equipment: Working winch, 35” or larger tires, and at least one locking differential. Recommended are two locking differentials. Expect to use your skid plates as you will hear and feel the rocks scrape your undercarriage.

This is more like the Bad Bunny trail

Think you might not get the reference without being a Millennial

 

[Shark01]

you may be in the position of needing your rear end replaced every several thousand miles, as many others have.

My wife would definitely be in favor of this

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