LSD Equipped Gladiators Better Than Rubicon in Snow ?

[seven30]

Its depressing and sad that FCA still CHOOSES to build vehicles that they know will rust.

I've owned multiple European cars that were over 20 years old and none of them ever developed so much as a bubble.

We just sold our 2002 Volvo and the body was flawless after 20 winters in New England.
I am hoping to keep my Jeep for a long time. I guess the strong resale value will protect me if it starts to rust.

Ha, none must have been Italian!

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[dcmdon]

Ha, none must have been Italian!

Nope. I've owned Volvos and Saabs. Several went past 20 years and none had even a hint of rust. My 2002 Volvo is still on its original exhaust!!

 

[montechie]

I wish it had an LSD/Selectable combo diff, I really don't know why that's not a thing anymore, with anyone. My '05 Rubicon has the factory geared LSD/selectable locker combo and it's fantastic. The LSD really helps in the snow. I like to go sideways a lot and it's just tossable, controllable, and will go anywhere in 2wd in MN winter. I only throw it into 4hi on days when it's really squirrely.

I was surprised the JTR didn't have a combo LSD/locker like my '05 LJR. That '05 is great in the winter and has been better in both on and off-road snow conditions than a "modern" Taco or F150.

That being said, I got the JTR with the Auto-4wd and it has performed surprisingly well on snow/ice conditions combined with the Falken AT3Ws. It's been really composed on ice and snow pack, I was concerned the Auto-4 to be more of a "get started from stop system" but has felt closer to our Subaru AWD system in performance. I usually run dedicated studded snows, but I may skip that with this truck for now, the AT3Ws have been excellent. Dedicated snowtires like a Blizzaak are great on highways, but suck on our unplowed back roads, much less what some consider "off-road". A 3peak AT + studdable outperform when you still get at it in the winter.

 

[NachoRuby]

Nope. I've owned Volvos and Saabs. Several went past 20 years and none had even a hint of rust. My 2002 Volvo is still on its original exhaust!!

Our Audis and vws always rust! So did my parents' cayenne! When you say Euro, you mean Swedish haha.

 

[chorky]

The problem with this discussion is there is a super wide range of options, experiences, and people's locations. Snow where I live is different than the east coast and different than the west coast vs Colorado. So there is that. But also there is a major difference in experience levels and, well, honestly - skill.

On a different forum I got a TON of crap from people when I decided to put true-tracks in the front and rear of my OBS. SO many people said I would end up in the ditch, spin around on the highway, be unsafe, etc.. Well I did it anyway knowing I knew how to handle slippery situations. The result - that truck could go more places than my TJ, and probably JT. I never lost control on the highway and only got a little slippage one time when a particular bridge with a nasty bump on a corner was nothing but a sheet of ice from freezing rain. So it really just depends. I think most people would agree that for 'normal' inexperienced people or those who aren't super cognizant of their driving at all times, then LSD with the new all wheel drive transfer case that is offered would be the optimum for ON ROAD traction. That is another thing that I rarely see people discuss when giving opinions - there's a big difference between what is and is not desired on road vs off road.

 

[seven30]

My one Major regret with the JT is I did not get the selectrac capable transfer case.
The XJ NP231 style mechanical case was great. Wonder if something like that could be fitted to the JT without freaking out the FW.

 

[Stan H]

On road , tires will make more of a difference than lockers or lsd. Off-road a locker is going to work better than an lsd .
Unless you use a work around , the rubi can't be locked in 2wd, 4wdh, only 4wdl. It's not like the zr2 unfortunately. Now I'm not saying an lsd isn't helping , and it is better than a fully locked or open diff on the snow covered roadway , but a good tire will get you down the road fine with an unlocked diff. What would be awesome is a helical lsd that is e lockable 100%

The Rubicon most definitely can be in 4wdh and have the rear locker engaged . I have done it many times. It's a simple process 1. start from park place in 4wd. 2. Push the 4wd plus button 3. Then hit the Traction control button till its completely disengaged. 4. Then engage the rear locker. Takes like 10 seconds to do that little process.

 

[WILDHOBO]

The Rubicon most definitely can be in 4wdh and have the rear locker engaged . I have done it many times. It's a simple process 1. start from park place in 4wd. 2. Push the 4wd plus button 3. Then hit the Traction control button till its completely disengaged. 4. Then engage the rear locker. Takes like 10 seconds to do that little process.

Agreed. I’ve tested it on mine as well. But why in the hell would you want to lock the rear diff in 4 high?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The zombie lives!

 

[Stan H]

Agreed. I’ve tested it on mine as well. But why in the hell would you want to lock the rear diff in 4 high?

Certian types of mud usually the kind that is deeper and slurried, I find that if the rear diff is in and then the front is not I have better control with the front end and the rear can push harder and with it in 4wdh I get more wheel spin.

 

[Stan H]

The zombie lives!

I had to comment on the post it was incorrect.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Certian types of mud usually the kind that is deeper and slurried, I find that if the rear diff is in and then the front is not I have better control with the front end and the rear can push harder and with it in 4wdh I get more wheel spin.

I get it, but locking the diff with those high driveshaft rpms seems like an easy way to break something.

 

[Stan H]

I get it, but locking the diff with those high driveshaft rpms seems like an y way to break something.

Lol, hmm well I hope that don't happen.. I never thought about that happening..
Wonder what would let loose first? The locker or axle or driveshaft.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Lol, hmm well I hope that don't happen.. I never thought about that happening..
Wonder what would let loose first? The locker or axle or driveshaft.

I’d expect the ring and pinion.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I had to comment on the post it was incorrect.

There's a lot of not quite correct stuff in the thread........ but sometimes good to have such things die and start anew with correct info.
You gotta dig to find one over a year old.

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