SERV 4WD & Computer Related Issues + My Future w/ Jeeps

[GavinH]

Hello all, my reason for this post is because I’ve fell in love with intense wheeling and I want to eliminate computer issues as much as possible. During my wheeling trip this past weekend I had a few lights pop up for ESS, Serv 4wd, and Gas Cap. 4wd was my only concern and while my 4wd stayed engaged I couldn’t used my lockers and it was needed to finish the trail so I had to pull line for the rest of it. Even if my FAD was replaced with tons or 1 piece shaft can SERV 4WD still be an issue? I believe the computer would still have limited my lockers. So what can be done to the JL to make it more reliable regarding electronics? 10-20 years down the road could the entire vehicle be rewired? Could only imagine that price tag.

Little back story: I’m 24 and this is my first ever Jeep that I bought April of 2023, it’s a late 2018 JLUR that was bone stock with 20k miles that was previously owned by an older couple who used the 4wd a couple times only. At the time I wanted a modern daily that is also a capable 4wd so that’s why I didn’t want a Jk or anything older than that.
I previously drove a 2022 GMC Canyon Elevation which had no lockers but a rear lsd, couldn’t even fit a true 33 tire and was just tired of getting stuck from framing out. My last time ever getting stuck I thought the only thing that would get through this is a Jeep and so I began my search.
I’ve since learned so much about everything involved with these vehicles and other types of 4wd’s in general. Short of electronic gremlins or shop style engine repairs I can do almost everything myself and have so far.

Future Thoughts: My Jeep is now built as much as possible with bolt-on parts and I’m eager for the next step of long arms, tons, etc. This weekend however made me second guess dropping dough into this newer model JL and considering being patient with just the bolt-on stuff and start putting money and parts into a TJ/LJ build that uses less computers.
My problem is I’ve priced my JL and I’m not going to be able to get a whole bunch for it, at least not what I would want based on what I’ve put into it and what it’ll cost to get the TJ/LJ to where I truly want it. It’s honestly the same exact price tag for either build new or older Jeep. Tons, coilovers, long arms, cage etc cost all about the same regardless of the frame it’s being attached too. It’s just with the TJ/LJ I feel it’s proven to be a better “forever” jeep that the new JL hasn’t been able to prove yet and I’m not sure if it will with how mich the computer babies it.

Overall my issue with jumping into the next step is I don’t want to throw money down the drain because the new JL has major electrical issues years down the road or something. I’ve seen Litebrites amazing build and yet it’s always having some sort of problem relating to the computer. Though the JL is amazing I can just set the cruise control at 80 and drive 10 hours to windrock and back for a weekend trip. LJ wouldn’t be nearly as nice for those 20 hours.

But it’s basically a no brainer to buy the TJ/LJ and start building that up based on the type of wheeling I want to do, inline 6 is way easier to start over if rolled vs the new 2.0 I have now the spark plugs are buried in there. I don’t have all the money in the world and my JL is still plenty capable as is plus the luxury as a daily is unbeatable. I don’t have enough to buy a truck and trailer yet to trailer these to the trails so it’s going to be driven regardless of model and that’s why both the JL and LJ are 50/50 in my mind with where I should go. Thank you if you’ve read and made it this far!

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[autotragic]

Hello all, my reason for this post is because I’ve fell in love with intense wheeling and I want to eliminate computer issues as much as possible. During my wheeling trip this past weekend I had a few lights pop up for ESS, Serv 4wd, and Gas Cap. 4wd was my only concern and while my 4wd stayed engaged I couldn’t used my lockers and it was needed to finish the trail so I had to pull line for the rest of it. Even if my FAD was replaced with tons or 1 piece shaft I believe the computer would still have limited my lockers. So what can be done to the JL to make it more reliable regarding electronics? 10-20 years down the road could the entire vehicle be rewired? Could only imagine that price tag.

Little back story: I’m 24 and this is my first ever Jeep that I bought April of 2023, it’s a late 2018 JLUR that was bone stock with 20k miles that was previously owned by an older couple who used the 4wd a couple times only. At the time I wanted a modern daily that is also a capable 4wd so that’s why I didn’t want a Jk or anything older than that.
I previously drove a 2022 GMC Canyon Elevation which had no lockers but a rear lsd, couldn’t even fit a true 33 tire and was just tired of getting stuck from framing out. My last time ever getting stuck I thought the only thing that would get through this is a Jeep and so I began my search.
I’ve since learned so much about everything involved with these vehicles and other types of 4wd’s in general. Short of electronic gremlins or shop style engine repairs I can do almost everything myself and have so far.

Future Thoughts: My Jeep is now built as much as possible with bolt-on parts and I’m eager for the next step of long arms, tons, etc. This weekend however made me second guess dropping dough into this newer model JL and considering being patient with just the bolt-on stuff and start putting money and parts into a TJ/LJ build that uses less computers.
My problem is I’ve priced my JL and I’m not going to be able to get a whole bunch for it, at least not what I would want based on what I’ve put into it and what it’ll cost to get the TJ/LJ to where I truly want it. It’s honestly the same exact price tag for either build new or older Jeep. Tons, coilovers, long arms, cage etc cost all about the same regardless of the frame it’s being attached too. It’s just with the TJ/LJ I feel it’s proven to be a better “forever” jeep that the new JL hasn’t been able to prove yet and I’m not sure if it will with how mich the computer babies it.

Overall my issue with jumping into the next step is I don’t want to throw money down the drain because the new JL has major electrical issues years down the road or something. I’ve seen Litebrites amazing build and yet it’s always having some sort of problem relating to the computer. Though the JL is amazing I can just set the cruise control at 80 and drive 10 hours to windrock and back for a weekend trip. LJ wouldn’t be nearly as nice for those 20 hours.

But it’s basically a no brainer to buy the TJ/LJ and start building that up based on the type of wheeling I want to do, inline 6 is way easier to start over if rolled vs the new 2.0 I have now the spark plugs are buried in there. I don’t have all the money in the world and my JL is still plenty capable as is plus the luxury as a daily is unbeatable. I don’t have enough to buy a truck and trailer yet to trailer these to the trails so it’s going to be driven regardless of model and that’s why both the JL and LJ are 50/50 in my mind with where I should go. Thank you if you’ve read and made it this far!

Well if you had tons you wouldn't have factory Lockers in your lockers wouldn't be limited at all.

Alternatively you don't have to use the factory locker switches with the factory lockers supply them with 12 volt power and they'll lock up regardless of what the computer wants.

 

[GavinH]

Well if you had tons you wouldn't have factory Lockers in your lockers wouldn't be limited at all.

Was likely going with Eaton or Auburn elockers and imagined them being wired up to the factory switches. Will that still be limited by the computer since it’s factory switches?

Alternatively you don't have to use the factory locker switches with the factory lockers supply them with 12 volt power and they'll lock up regardless of what the computer wants.

Is that the wire harness that runs them off the Aux switches? Will that throw a code and I’ll see a light on the dash or is that something the tazer can turn off. I think I remember a disable lockers option?

 

[autotragic]

Was likely going with Eaton or Auburn elockers and imagined them being wired up to the factory switches. Will that still be limited by the computer since it’s factory switches?

Is that the wire harness that runs them off the Aux switches? Will that throw a code and I’ll see a light on the dash or is that something the tazer can turn off. I think I remember a disable lockers option?

Yes you use a Taser or j scan and disable The fad and lockers and then you just wire them up however you want and they will work every time. And when you bypass computer there's no more of all that waiting nonsense that you typically have. They actuate much quicker.

I'm sure you can use the factory switches somehow but I'm not that much of an electrical genius.

I know that if you have a fad delete installed and you turn that off in the computer Plus have the lockers wired up independently that will solve all your problems.

And if you do it correctly no you won't have any warning lights lit up on the dash.

 

[autotragic]

To wire the lockers independently get two of these one for each locker.

https://www.amazon.com/Mopar-Wrangler-Gladiator-Electric-Harness/dp/B07ST23YX5

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