Did I screw up and buy the wrong truck?

[AverageOverlander]

As long as it has a Trail Rated badge you'll be fine.

Just kidding, kind of... like everyone's saying, you'll be surprised how far 4WD and good tires take you... and although that badge doesn't mean it's a monster truck, pretty sure it needs to be able to do substantially more than forest roads to get it... you'd hope anyway

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[AstroZombie]

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"!!!

I was a bus driver for years in an area that was awfully muddy or sand dunes. I always questioned why we didnt have 4x4 school buses. the reply was by the time you get stuck in a 4x4 school bus its in an area the district service fleet couldn't recue it from. Get stuck in 2x4 and you'll have 4x4 to self rescue is needed.

 

[AstroZombie]

getting stuck is 3/4's of the fun!!

 

[AmosMoses]

There are some really cool videos I found one time demonstrating brake lock differential jeeps vs older jeeps without. It's a big advantage for sure.

 

[bd100]

If you install a gear-based limited slip differential, you'll be ahead of those of us with the factory clutch-based systems.

A limited slip differential helps some in rain and also in brisk driving, both of which help put power down into both back wheels. In snow, or rain with full power, you can end up with the traction control kicking in to help prevent both back tires from spinning and the back end from walking sideways. I find the limited slip plus factory traction control makes for a lot of traction while accelerating in the rain.

Other mods to consider are Apex Autolynx front sway bar disconnect, some Timbren offroad bump stops to avoid crashing noises while fully articulated, and some little skid plates for the back control arm and shock mounts.

 

[Deleted member 28696]

*True - don't do much offroading - never have (except on 2 wheels where I have done PLENTY)
*Truck most definitely IS expensive - thus my expectation that limited slip (not lockers) would be standard equipment.
*DID pay attention to trim levels - decided I didn't need the hardcore offroad equipment of the Rubicon/Mojave (true lockers, disconnecting front swaybar, etc) Didn't need all the "luxury equipment of the Overland, considered a Willys, but ultimately came down to availability. My local dealer had this Sport S with a couple of nice options packages (Popular equipment and Technology packages). Again... assumed (incorrectly) that at least "limited slip diffs were included.
*DON'T need true lockers
*Disappointed that a JEEP 4x4 that stickered for $46k has open diffs, but is sounds like the BLD will be all I need (along with better tires and recovery equipment/winch).

If you upgrade your tires, more than likely you will need to regear, on mine after getting larger tires it would no longer shift correctly and the mpg's took a nosedive even after recalibration of the tires in the computer. I have a Rubicon so I had 4.10 gearing and I went ot 5.13's of course my new tires are 37's x20 which are heavy. just keep it in mind and budget for it just in case you need to go the same route. One change will lead to another it seems with the Jeep & it adds up. If you have a sport S I believe the fenders are 2" lower than the Rubi so 33's should work & 35's are a maybe but 37's probably won't and you'll ending up needing a lift. I'm not sure what axels come in the Sport S either on mine it's Dana 44 so that may dictate the size tires your able to handle.

 

[AverageOverlander]

If you upgrade your tires, more than likely you will need to regear...

From his comments below I would say he absolutely does not need 37" tires and re-gearing. Throw some 33" AT's on and enjoy the truck.

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

...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...

 

[Slojo]

Forest trails. A winch, good tires aired down, a little momentum which is the formula for my old JK.

 

[Deleted member 28696]

From his comments below I would say he absolutely does not need 37" tires and re-gearing. Throw some 33" AT's on and enjoy the truck.

I don’t off-road either & I have 37’s, mine is more of a capable show truck. He didn’t mention the size tires he was putting on. I just wanted to mention it can be quite an endeavor & expense to get the a look depending on his aspirations.

 

[Kirk*Mojave]

I wouldn't be concerned looks like you have a sweet rig

 

[Tommyd]

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?

Dude… I hit some gnarly trails with open diffs. A lot comes down to the driver. Plus the hill decent control can really surprise you with its tech. It keeps the brakes locking up to keep tires from spinning.
if your worried and have a little extra money have some aftermarket air or e lockers added.

 

[BearFootSam]

You still effectively have a locking center differential via the transfer case, which beats the vast majority of SUVs and CUVs on the road with AWD. That makes the brake lock all the more effective. There is also the old parking brake trick if the rear end slips. Since the glad has a drum parking brake, you can set a little drag and help the front drive. BLD is very good and serves as the 'LSD' in most modern cars. My old Jetta TDI was a beast in the snow with just winter tires and the ELSD, aka brake lock limited slip.

 

[Gvsukids]

Since the glad has a drum parking brake,

It does? On which wheel?

 

[AstroZombie]

Leave it stock, run the tires it came with till they are ready to replace and then get a nice A/T tire. Lots of people like the BFG a/t, The Toyota dealer always put Kumho A/T. The Wild Peak are nice in my opinion. I see Rubicon take off rims and tires for very cheap. Like $500. Low miles and are stock tires so should work great and get out of the touring style rims. either way a nice set of rubber will go along way. Discount tire will sell you a road hazard plan for any tire. You don't even need to have purchased the tires form them. Flat repair or replacement if needed. I would recommend some nice add on lighting to the A-piler something that lights up the side of the road a little better at night. That will make Night adventures on service roads nice. I got mine on amazon. I think maybe $50 all in for brackets, lights and harness. The lights are small there are brighter ones but these really help light up the sides of the trail nicely. I used them at night to help spot Elk on the roadsides too. Just adds a wider field of view than just high beams.
https://www.amazon.com/MWNYO-Bracke...fQ==&sprefix=jeep+light+mount,aps,142&sr=8-16
https://www.amazon.com/Nilight-Driv...qid=1667328441&sprefix=nilight,aps,137&sr=8-4
https://www.amazon.com/RUN-D-Univer...d1c8c-2fd2-4f19-aa41-2df022bcb241-spons&psc=1

 

[Jems007]

I’m with OP. Even the sport trim should come locked. Maybe not front but definitely rear.

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