Did I screw up and buy the wrong truck?

[Barnaby’sdad]

Even with my old XJ (open diffs), it was fine in mud until it got high centered…which is going to likely be the case with a Sport S with stock size tires, given the land yacht wheel base.

Like they said…you’ll probably be surprised what yours can do with open diffs. That being said, I’d stay away from mud pits. I learned my lesson years ago…bypass mud pits whenever possible.

If that’s not possible…hit them at “send it” speed to possibly carry through the pit in the event that clearance is an issue. Even if you had gone with lockers…they’re only going to do so much in a mud pit with stock tires and ride height.

A JT really is a Jeep first though. If you like it, but don’t end up being thrilled with the traction, that’s easy enough to resolve (as detailed by the folks above).

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[Gvsukids]

I didn’t do enough homework before buying and bought a “Sport S” trim and just realized that the thing has open diffs front and rear.

Better for donuts.

Ultimately, I think you’re going to be fine. Many, if not most, people will tell you to get a winch before spending on diffs (limited slip or lockers), anyway. Plus they look cool. ?

Cheaper too. E

I think it's a little more than that. That particular engine is truly overbuilt. Mine had 237k miles on it when my daughter wrecked it (thankfully no injuries) and it still ran like new. Didn't burn a drop of oil. Literally the ONLY repair it ever required the whole time I owned it was a starter solenoid rebuild - which I did myself in about an hour with $27 worth of parts in a rebuild kit I ordered from Amazon. It was (is) just a very solidly-built basic engine. Timing CHAIN rather than belt, no crazy electronics, direct injection, etc. - which makes if underpowered and inefficient as compared to newer designs, but will run forever with very little maintenance required (really just basic fluid changes). Perfect for fleet vehicles.

Maybe you'll get that lucky with the Jeep.

On a positive note, you can get a tazer and use the brake assisted turn feature since you have open diffs. If you had a rear lsd you wouldn't be able to.

You can, it's clunky.

 

[AstroZombie]

If you are just running Forest service roads you will be just fine. Enjoy it!! As you ease your way into the back roads you may find you want a little more. You can find after market LSD or even take off lockers if you are really wanting to expand. My Rubicon is the first vehicle i had with front and rear lockers. My taco pre runner has just a rear locker and i have never used it except to see if it works. Both my wranglers were stock and took me everywhere without issue. My tj had the jeep LSD which isnt a highly sought after add on.

 

[ShrimpHappens]

That being said, I’d stay away from mud pits. I learned my lesson years ago…bypass mud pits whenever possible.

Same. Just assume that the mud pit is wallowed out by full-size trucks on 40's.

 

[just_another_guy]

You can, it's clunky.

I wouldn't make a habit out of doing that ?

 

[Barnaby’sdad]

Same. Just assume that the mud pit is wallowed out by full-size trucks on 40's.

That was exactly my experience both times that I got hung up. One time, I could rock the XJ back and forth, as it was stuck perfectly balanced on the rear diff.

Even if you’re running lockers and 37’s…those are good size by Jeep standards, but they are likely not going to cut it in that scenario.

Mud was fun when I was 20. At this point, I’d avoid the stuff like the plague.

 

[BlueScapegoat]

Wow... very cool... thanks for that! I (obviously) had no idea. Sounds like this system will be more than enough for my needs. Great! I can't wait to go try it out!

One question... just curious: When BLD detects one wheel spinning faster than the other on a given axle, does it only apply the brake on the spinning wheel, or on both wheels on that axle - or does it brake ALL FOUR wheels (thus the need for twice the torque than what would be needed with a true locker)?

As others have said, it will brake the individual wheels, same way modern abs and traction control works.

But, just wanted to add that this is a handy trick that you can do if you find yourself in a vehicle lacking traction control or an LSD. Get the wheels spinning and tap the brakes and it will shift some power over. There's a balance to be found.

 

[HjStrater]

My JT has the LSD rear, but my wife’s JL is open/open. She makes it everywhere I do, and we run some pretty hard trails.

We both have 3 badges of honor from Hot Springs ORV which are rated “moderate to demanding” and she did it on 33’s and a 2” spacer lift. And we’ve done harder stuff local to us.

Jeeps are super capable right out of the box with a good set of tires.

 

[Gvsukids]

Same. Just assume that the mud pit is wallowed out by full-size trucks on 40's.

It's a slow process to winch out of...

 

[Raven65]

Thanks... I won't be doing any mud pits. Not intentionally anyway!

 

[LostWoods]

I'm sure it was mentioned but the brake-lock differential system isn't half bad in these trucks. It's not ATRAC but it will get you through a lot of things that would leave a conventional open diff system spinning.

 

[joeym7]

O.P., it sounds like you will be doing fire roads and what not...In the Pine Lands in NJ, most of the roads are either fire roads or just plain old narrower trails. Some can be very sandy, some very muddy, some with a lot of water and pretty deep puddles....I always keep mine in 4wdH on these roads and sometimes use Off-Road+ too (which will go through "anything")...BUT, the two trail Leaders one who is the President of the Jeep Club here and who have been doing this since they were teen agers, keep their Jeeps in 2 WD the entire time! They tell me they do it just for the challenge. And they do fine 95% of the time, except when they hit that puddle which is just a little too deep and muddy. Once one of them get stuck it usually requires the other to pull hem out with a snatch strap.

So you will probably be OK but avoid serious puddles and significant mud.

Why hasn't the Jeep Nanny outlawed any Jeep offering without 4WD - the notion just doesn't sound "decent"!!!

 

[Deleted member 53332]

If you are just running Forest service roads you will be just fine. Enjoy it!! As you ease your way into the back roads you may find you want a little more. You can find after market LSD or even take off lockers if you are really wanting to expand. My Rubicon is the first vehicle i had with front and rear lockers. My taco pre runner has just a rear locker and i have never used it except to see if it works. Both my wranglers were stock and took me everywhere without issue. My tj had the jeep LSD which isnt a highly sought after add on.

100% this. I live in a national forest, so my Overland spends most of it’s time on forest service roads. I’ve put it in 4H once and never used 4L. The one time I used 4H was coming up a pretty steep hill with a lot of loose dirt/rock. Got to the top of the hill and there was a guy in an old BMW 3 series stopped. I talked to him and he had just come up the same hill. I quietly took it out of 4H and went on my way. You will be shocked and surprised at how capable it is. And I’m still on the stock Dueler HT street tires.

 

[glassjawkid32]

So, I’m 57 years old and just bought my first Jeep… and in fact, my first 4x4.

I didn’t do enough homework before buying and bought a “Sport S” trim and just realized that the thing has open diffs front and rear. I pulled my build sheet and it says “conventional differentials” on both ends. I don’t plan to do any serious off-roading… no rock climbing or deep mudding, and I live in SC, so no deep snow… but I DO plan to do SOME… like forest service roads in the NC mountains and some mild “Jeep trails”, so I will encounter some steep/slippery hills and some water crossings and mud. I plan to upgrade the tires to something a little more aggressive that the basically street tires that came on the thing.

I don’t think I need lockers, but I would have expected any 4x4 that costs this much - especially a JEEP - to have at least “limited slip” diffs as standard equipment! Even my last truck - a base model 2009 2WD Toyota Tacoma that cost less than $14k brand new had a limited slip rear diff. Now, it was an automatic brake-actuated limited slip rather than a mechanical/clutch pack unit, but still… better than just an open diff! Do I even have that in this Jeep? I guess I can get the same effect by giving it some brake myself while also giving it some throttle and trying to move forward if (when) I get stuck.

Loving this truck otherwise, but the open diffs are a pretty big disappointment. Am I going to get stuck in even just a little bit of mud? Is it possible/easy/practical to upgrade my diffs to limited slip? Did I totally screw up and buy the wrong truck - or will it be ok?

You will be ok with a huge grin on your face at that. Even on moderate trails. You'll be surprised what she's capable of. Don't sweat lockers until you're lifting tires. Get quality suspension and tires before even thinking about lockers.

 

[AstroZombie]

100% this. I live in a national forest, so my Overland spends most of it’s time on forest service roads. I’ve put it in 4H once and never used 4L. The one time I used 4H was coming up a pretty steep hill with a lot of loose dirt/rock. Got to the top of the hill and there was a guy in an old BMW 3 series stopped. I talked to him and he had just come up the same hill. I quietly took it out of 4H and went on my way. You will be shocked and surprised at how capable it is. And I’m still on the stock Dueler HT street tires.

I had used tires on my '86 XL w/ 2.8l v6 my fried gave me that were off a 94 mustang and those tires took me everywhere and on every trail HAHAHAHA young and broke !!And i don't even know if my 4x4 work at the time too.

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