Question for experts about full time transfer case availability

[Yawnie'sPapa]

That's what I was thinking. Also on the 4xes I've test driven, I could feel the higher up center of gravity, especially on turns.

Batteries sit really low, under the rear seat. To me it feels more planted and not top-heavy.
In a way, there are in the floor. You are sitting on them when in the back seat, just below the seat cushions. there's a lot of shielding under it as they sit low enough a bit hit would otherwise smack the batteries. It made it a problem getting wires from right to left under there for the steps.

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[Yawnie'sPapa]

If you end up with 35s and you want to compare to 33s, I have a set of 2020 JT Rubicon take offs you can test with.

I wonder what those came from.............

 

[2nd 392]

The 4xe gets about 25 mpg around here wit my wife driving. And that's if you don't plug it in.
About 16 worst case against a strong wind, otherwise, 20s is easy to reach.

Well, you said you preferred a V6 but a T-4 was acceptable. Apparently leaving the X as the only model that checks all your other boxes. Options ? Either she is OK with steps on the couple inch higher X, or try to find a low mileage unmolested non XR 24 X, but you can’t easily choose color on used for wanted options priority.

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

Well, you said you preferred a V6 but a T-4 was acceptable. Apparently leaving the X as the only model that checks all your other boxes. Options ? Either she is OK with steps on the couple inch higher X, or try to find a low mileage unmolested non XR 24 X, but you can’t easily choose color on used for wanted options priority.

There really are no options. After looking at dozens of window stickers, the order guide and the "feature availability, it's either a Rubicon X with recon package to get the transfer case, or a Sahara with the leather seats to get the power seats and accept one without the full time transfer case.

There's only two options -
*deal with lift and height and weight of the recon package (steel hood, lift kit, tires, wider wheels, heavier tail gate due to the larger spare and the reinforcement)
*or skip the t-case

 

[2nd 392]

There really are no options. After looking at dozens of window stickers, the order guide and the "feature availability, it's either a Rubicon X with recon package to get the transfer case, or a Sahara with the leather seats to get the power seats and accept one without the full time transfer case.

There's only two options -
*deal with lift and height and weight of the recon package (steel hood, lift kit, tires, wider wheels, heavier tail gate due to the larger spare and the reinforcement)
*or skip the t-case

“Deal with it” the extra weight isn’t that much.
If you want it reduced it just costs more. This weight wienie runs an 8.5” forged wheel and 59 lb 35/12.50 Toyo AT3 combo 2 lbs lighter than the stock 7.5” wheel 285/70 KO2 combo, bonus, no gate reinforcement needed. Yes the hood especially with the water diverting added is fairly heavy, but it’s not THAT heavy, and what could an extra 1.5” of springs weigh ?

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

“Deal with it” the extra weight isn’t that much.
If you want it reduced it just costs more. This weight wienie runs an 8.5” forged wheel and 59 lb 35/12.50 Toyo AT3 combo 2 lbs lighter than the stock 7.5” wheel 285/70 KO2 combo, bonus, no gate reinforcement needed. Yes the hood especially with the water diverting added is fairly heavy, but it’s not THAT heavy, and what could an extra 1.5” of springs weigh ?

More the extra height as far as my wife is concerned..........
That's her concern - but we'll find out when we get there. She doesn't maintain or work on them so her thing is getting in and out and how far can she go on a tank of gas.

Me, the weight is my concern.
This old man won't be doing the tire rotations - not unless I go to much lighter tires on it.
I've seen first-hand what adding weight to these does to power, and mpg. I watched it drop like a rock when adding weight to my Gladiators over the years - each of them.

Weight takes HP. These 3.6s have all they can handle.
Could always strip off the steel bumper for the lighter plastic version. Someone would probably swap for the steel hood. I hate them, have that one my JT and I hate it.

 

[2nd 392]

More the extra height as far as my wife is concerned..........
That's her concern - but we'll find out when we get there. She doesn't maintain or work on them so her thing is getting in and out and how far can she go on a tank of gas.

Me, the weight is my concern.
This old man won't be doing the tire rotations - not unless I go to much lighter tires on it.
I've seen first-hand what adding weight to these does to power, and mpg. I watched it drop like a rock when adding weight to my Gladiators over the years - each of them.

Weight takes HP. These 3.6s have all they can handle.
Could always strip off the steel bumper for the lighter plastic version. Someone would probably swap for the steel hood. I hate them, have that one my JT and I hate it.

You might even get real lucky and find a color matching hood swap. Otherwise, just money, the forged wheels aren’t cheap, but you can sell the stock ones. Same with the tires, or wait until needed anyway for no extra cost. (AT3’s are only 5 lbs lighter than also light KO2’s) … if she can handle the extra couple inches in height and that will be difficult to find out without trying one with steps, and they vary too.
edit- what about the aftermarket hood struts, aren’t they spring assist ?

 

[jadmt]

Sort of like these, perhaps?
Jerry here knows all about these. He helped get them on the current JLU 4xe Rubicon
I put then on my JT, and they are on my current JT (2025) as well.
They'll come off this JLU and go on any new one.
At 5'5" and handicap and knee issues, there's no way in heck she'd let us own a Wrangler or Gladiator without them. I love them - even for me (age, poor fitness, arthritis) they are the BEST options we've ever installed.

I'm trying to figure out how much of a ride and handling and MPG hit she'd take with that big heavy recon package which means STEEL HOOD as well (dumb, IMO - good grief, add weight to a brick when the stock light Rubicon hood is a thing of beauty!)

I can't find a window sticker for a loaded Rubicon X (which will have the heavy recon package) and the 3.6
Every window sticker I find is for the 2.0 engine - gee, should have ordered with that engine (that's MY mistake for sure - I did not specify the engine)

are you sure the hood is different? I have two friends with xtreme packages and their hoods are the same as mine...they really do not have the recon package in 25 or 26 it is not called that anymore as far as I can see I might be wrong but the ones I have seen had the same hood as my 24 jllur.

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

You might even get real lucky and find a color matching hood swap. Otherwise, just money, the forged wheels aren’t cheap, but you can sell the stock ones. Same with the tires, or wait until needed anyway for no extra cost. (AT3’s are only 5 lbs lighter than also light KO2’s) … if she can handle the extra couple inches in height and that will be difficult to find out without trying one with steps, and they vary too.

We'll be transferring her RSE power steps over from current to new.
I could measure how far from the sill these drop, and see how far about the garage floor that is, and then measure from new sill to ground and figure where the step would end up. Math, but hey, that's what tape measures are for.

It would come with BFG LT315/70R17C 113/110S
For something that will never see rocks or harsh rocky trails, it could get by with light tires - but snow rated is my goal always. Good rating for heavy rain and snow are priorities, with good ride.
If those LT tires ride harsh, they'll go away fast for better riding tires.

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

are you sure the hood is different? I have two friends with xtreme packages and their hoods are the same as mine...they really do not have the recon package in 25 or 26 it is not called that anymore as far as I can see I might be wrong but the ones I have seen had the same hood as my 24 jllur.

it comes with a heavy steel high performance hood.
I guess it depends on where you look - this is build sheet for a 2026 -

But the equipment PDF calls it an Xtreme 35 package.

That's Jeep for ya, one group is clueless as to what the other is doing.

 

[Kracka]

Late to the party, but the 4Auto t-case was a must when ordering for my wife. This way in bad weather she can just leave it in 4Auto and not worry about a thing (you can shift it up to 45 MPH). It will be a must again when it comes time to order another.

Performance has been great on & off-road...I think we're up to ~13 Trail of Honor badges, for whatever that's worth. Since break-in, we've been running Redline C+ in it. Zero issues and zero signs of premature wear.

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

Late to the party, but the 4Auto t-case was a must when ordering for my wife. This way in bad weather she can just leave it in 4Auto and not worry about a thing (you can shift it up to 45 MPH). It will be a must again when it comes time to order another.

For the 2026 model year - there is only one way to get it - Rubicon X which comes with recon package (xtreme 35 package as it's called some places)

 

[jadmt]

it comes with a heavy steel high performance hood.
I guess it depends on where you look - this is build sheet for a 2026 -

But the equipment PDF calls it an Xtreme 35 package.

That's Jeep for ya, one group is clueless as to what the other is doing.

every one I have seen looks like this and I guess when I get together with my buddies I will pull out a magnet...I can tell you I have popped the hood open on both of theirs and it was no heavier than mine.

https://www.lithiachryslerhelena.co...elena-mt-5e4271ddac185c80b37a623f322b65e3.htm

 

[Kracka]

For the 2026 model year - there is only one way to get it - Rubicon X which comes with recon package (xtreme 35 package as it's called some places)

It was optional ($895) when ordering our 2023 Rubicon (w/o Xtreme Recon package).

 

[TXRubicon]

The hood on my 2025 Rubicon X is exactly the same as the hood was on my 2018 JL Rubicon. No difference at all. I suspect that the word hood should actually be bumper.

it comes with a heavy steel high performance hood.
I guess it depends on where you look - this is build sheet for a 2026 -

But the equipment PDF calls it an Xtreme 35 package.

That's Jeep for ya, one group is clueless as to what the other is doing.

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