Rock-Trac : Yes or no?

[ArcadeTracks]

I thought I had this all worked out, but ... I don't.
I live in an area with snow/ice in winter. (Usually. This year has been weird.) I plan to use my Rubicon for everyday use as well as off-roading occasionally. (Aka every chance I get.) I'm currently in Pennsylvania, so likely not a lot of desert or beach sand, but I'll also do those if I get the chance. Mostly mud, mountains, woods. Rocks, too, but I don't think ours will be as extreme as other areas -- and I'm new, so I'm not going to start with the very challenging stuff, but I plan to get there eventually.
I'm new to Wranglers. I've driven them, but only streets and only a few hours and days at a time, max.
Today I'm cramming info about Rock-Trac, but I'm still undecided if I should make it [ETA: 4:1 Rock-Trac® Heavy-Duty Full-Time 4WD System] a part of my build (it doesn't seem like an easy add later) or if it would be excessive, and possibly dangerous/complicated, for the majority or my driving.
Thanks for any opinions.

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[GATORB8]

So "Rock-Trac" is the Jeep term for the Rubi drivetrain features in general.

I assume you are asking about the "Full Time" Transfer Case Option? It basically gives you "4 Auto" which automatically varies between 2wd and 4wd based on sensing of slippage.

 

[ColoradoMike]

Yeah, if you get a Roob, you get Rock-trac by default.
You do NOT get the full-time 4wd/4H-auto by default, however, and I personally strongly recommend adding that upgrade if you can afford it. I had a 21 Roob without it and now have a 22 with it, and it's extremely useful for me. I'm sure it will be in PA as well.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

They call full time Rock-Trac now. Weird I thought it was named something else.

I would say worth it, I drive in conditions all year and shifting back and forth to 4H to 2H is a pain at times would be nice feature to have. Is 900 dollars now.

 

[GATORB8]

They call full time Rock-Trac now. Weird I thought it was named something else.

I would say worth it, I drive in conditions all year and shifting back and forth to 4H to 2H is a pain at times would be nice feature to have. Is 900 dollars now.

The option says Rock Trac because it's the 4:1 Rubi Rock Trac version instead of the 2.7 on the others.

 

[AFD]

Are you talking about the auto-4WD option for the Rubicon? I live about an hour north and daily-drive mine, so thought it was a must-have for our constantly mixed weather conditions (not really supposed to use the part-time 4HI on dry roads or around bends/corners, which are everywhere around here).

It's been a mild winter so far, so I've only used the auto-4WD a handful of times and it's handled things very well and in a predictable and transparent manner. Around Christmas Eve when we had several inches of snow it worked well and same the next day when everything turned to half-clear half-frozen shit.

Only downsides so far is that I get a slight vibration when stopped/idling, but it also seems to occur in regular 4HI. Another downside was not being able to get the 4.88 gears, which wasn't available with the auto-4WD option, at least on the 2-door Rubi.

Imo, it's more of a convenience feature rather than the driver needing to constantly change back and forth from 2WD to 4HI. Just leave it in 2WD 99% of the time, and put it into auto-4HI and leave it if conditions are iffy that day. For a daily-driver, I'd highly recommend it.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

I think it was like 595 when I ordered my 22, but no diesel option.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

The option says Rock Trac because it's the 4:1 Rubi Rock Trac version instead of the 2.7 on the others.

I know but they call it all of that in one now.

Oh nevermind I misunderstood. I blame jeep!!

 

[ArcadeTracks]

So "Rock-Trac" is the Jeep term for the Rubi drivetrain features in general.

This could be partially why I'm getting confused by my web reaserch...

 

[Yawnie'sPapa]

Rock-Trac for any Rubicon.
Can be
Rock-Trac part time
or
Rock-Trac full time

But if it's Rubicon, it's Rock-Trac even back years ago.

It was a must when shopping for a Jeep for my wife. She was so used to her "set it and leave it Grand Cherokees that I knew she'd never deal with the part time 4H situation.
I traded my 2020 JT for a 2022 so I could get that option.
Luckily, the 4xe comes with the 4H auto full time anyway.

 

[WheretheJLs]

I passed on it, seemed like a waste for $900. I can just pull the lever to 4Hi for snow/dirt roads and 4Lo for crawling. But I'm experienced in driving through bad conditions so maybe a good idea to get it if you're not.

 

[AFD]

I think it was like 595 when I ordered my 22, but no diesel option.

Mine was $795 MSRP when I ordered back in July, but I'd still get it even if it was $1k (probably wouldn't consider it at all if I didn't live in a snowy region).

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Mine was $795 MSRP when I ordered back in July, but I'd still get it even if it was $1k (probably wouldn't consider it at all if I didn't live in a snowy region).

Yep 6 months here a year, would have paid 1000 easy for it. Just makes sense in winter condition areas.

 

[ArcadeTracks]

Just FYI: You all are awesome! Ty

 

[verapx]

If I were going to be mostly driving on the street as a daily driver, I would get a Sahara with full time 4WD and get "TruTracs" for the front and rear diffs. That would be perfect for a daily driver type vehicle.

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