Is it possible to swap out a regular 4 wheel drive transition case to a Selec-Trac 4X4?

[saintpauljeff]

I've got the Roc-Trac full time 4x4 in my new Rubicon and it's been exactly what I'd hope it would be for driving on winter mixed surface roads in the upper Midwest, I'm just so much happier than in my Sport S without it. Numerous times the past 2 winters I'd be trying to turn out of my alley or someplace and because the rear wheels had no traction I'd be stuck when the power cut. Manually turning on part time 4x4 to complete a turn on busy city streets was not a good time for me.

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[TwelveGaugeSage]

Does the full-time share its "thinking" with the transmission? The part-time case is just a simple brainless gearbox. But the full-time needs to know when to distribute torque and where. I'm assuming this is why it isn't available with manual transmissions.

 

[Josh00333]

JRF,

I saw it a year ago when I was looking at what I wanted, sorry I did a 5 min search and could not come up with the thread. It was a conversation burred in a bigger 20 page thread on selec-trac in general.

If I remember right it's the transfer case, wiring harness (smaller one for the case sensors), the new bezel for the shifter, and a reflash of the computer. The cv joints are optional. The indicators ect are built into the dash.

Some one priced it out think it was 3k or so. The case was 1800ish? Hard to remember, you could probably find it on Mopar as a part.

Selec-trac was one the main options I wanted on my rig. Found it sudo local and didn't have to order.

I'm not finding this thread. I'm slightly interested in this and wondering if anyone has done it?

 

[869 KPH]

JRF,

I saw it a year ago when I was looking at what I wanted, sorry I did a 5 min search and could not come up with the thread. It was a conversation burred in a bigger 20 page thread on selec-trac in general.

If I remember right it's the transfer case, wiring harness (smaller one for the case sensors), the new bezel for the shifter, and a reflash of the computer. The cv joints are optional. The indicators ect are built into the dash.

Some one priced it out think it was 3k or so. The case was 1800ish? Hard to remember, you could probably find it on Mopar as a part.

Selec-trac was one the main options I wanted on my rig. Found it sudo local and didn't have to order.

Which is why it's nuts to me that it's only like a $700 option. Was a no-brainer for me.

 

[Sting-Gray Neutral Pres.]

Does the full-time share its "thinking" with the transmission? The part-time case is just a simple brainless gearbox. But the full-time needs to know when to distribute torque and where. I'm assuming this is why it isn't available with manual transmissions.

It's not available with manual transmissions due to demand. Typically every drivetrain configuration has to get certified by regulatory agencies and there are internal testing/vetting costs as well. Manual take rate is already low so adding any change to the drivetrain (as opposed to just body trims) doesn't make a lot of business sense.
As someone who wanted a manual transmission with a diesel and selec-trac, I had to choose just one of those things when all three can coexist just fine.

 

[TwelveGaugeSage]

It's not available with manual transmissions due to demand. Typically every drivetrain configuration has to get certified by regulatory agencies and there are internal testing/vetting costs as well. Manual take rate is already low so adding any change to the drivetrain (as opposed to just body trims) doesn't make a lot of business sense.
As someone who wanted a manual transmission with a diesel and selec-trac, I had to choose just one of those things when all three can coexist just fine.

It's probably both: https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/selec-trac-with-automatic-transmission-only.2767/

I've also heard that they are worried about someone with a manual doing a hard launch in 4-auto and grenading the thing.

 

[DAVECS1]

I have had many challenges with manual calibrations. They put the engine in a bunch of operating conditions it just does not want to be in.

 

[Sting-Gray Neutral Pres.]

I've also heard that they are worried about someone with a manual doing a hard launch in 4-auto and grenading the thing.

I kinda doubt this last bit was a serious concern. BMW sold the 335xi and 535xi for years with a manual, the AWD transfer case in those is very similar to selec-trac (variable clutch pack) and the 3.0 twin turbo has much more grunt than the pentastar does. For auto trans applications FCA pairs the “selec-trac” AWD transfer case to the diesel and big V8s.

 

[DC3]

Resurrection..... I have been following these Selec-Trac posts ever since Jeep announced the addition of the system for 2021 Gladiators. I have been itching for someone to take the plunge to retrofit but all of the posts lead to the same thing, a dead end. I finally decided to pull the trigger and ordered the axle shafts, transfer case, and shifter components. The Mopar parts system is very murky when it comes to retrofitting so I am definitely going off the reservation.

The transfer case arrives tomorrow and the rest of the parts over the next week or two. I'll start assessing the retrofit this week and may install the transfer case before the axle shafts if I have the parts. This is uncharted territory and I will keep track of my findings for others.

I realize everyone knows this, but parts are hard to come by!

 

[jrf]

This is uncharted territory and I will keep track of my findings for others.

Thank you!!!

 

[DAVECS1]

Wow bravo man. I decided my Jeep handled pretty well

 

[Mac]

Resurrection..... I have been following these Selec-Trac posts ever since Jeep announced the addition of the system for 2021 Gladiators. I have been itching for someone to take the plunge to retrofit but all of the posts lead to the same thing, a dead end. I finally decided to pull the trigger and ordered the axle shafts, transfer case, and shifter components. The Mopar parts system is very murky when it comes to retrofitting so I am definitely going off the reservation.

The transfer case arrives tomorrow and the rest of the parts over the next week or two. I'll start assessing the retrofit this week and may install the transfer case before the axle shafts if I have the parts. This is uncharted territory and I will keep track of my findings for others.

I realize everyone knows this, but parts are hard to come by!

Cool, did you order the transfer case new or find a used one?

 

[S Kama Do!]

I'll start assessing the retrofit this week and may install the transfer case before the axle shafts if I have the parts.

This would be super informative for people that don't want CVs.

 

[npgeorgeuw]

Exactly, it's not the case swap alone, it's the front half-shafts being drastically different, with so many cans of worms to open.

To the original purpose, I'm skeptical that "black ice" is more manageable with AWD than the standard electronic traction control. I've got one solid winter under my belt with the JTR and the performance in snow & ice is nothing short of phenomenal for a pickup. Staying in 2Hi until absolutely necessary meant two feet of snow well off pavement! I had to pop in to 4Hi to make the turn out of this dirt parking lot:

AWD is a convenience, having had a Ford and an H2 with that baked in, but it is not a solution for finding traction where there is none. Ice is not rain, and rain where AWD really shines.

I can't tell if you've purchased the JT yet, but if not, the dealer is trying to make the sale at all costs, not getting you what you need. Order and wait, or trade vehicles for what you deem necessary, converting to AWD is not a valid option.

Not to start an argument but I've used my truck in many different kinds of snow/slush/frosty pavement/wet snow/compacted ice-like snow and I will say with 100% certainty that AWD is a MASSIVE improvement over 2H in the gladiator especially if any elevation change is involved. Even small amounts of snow on pavement and any elevation means slipping and sliding of that rear end. AWD, no slipping and cruise right up our steep driveway and up our mountain. That's with both 3-peak rated AT3Ws and nokian winter truck tires. The very fact that AWD makes such a difference on wet pavement and in the rain tells you it will make a major difference in slick snow/slush. Ice or black ice, yes, that's a whole other world where you essentially have zero traction without the softest winter tires on or maybe studs to help. Having said that, coming out of or trying to control coming out of a slick spot is going to be helped with AWD, recovery is going to be very different in 2H. It's not feet of snow that the handling weaknesses show in 2H, it's slush or an inch or two of compacted snow which is effectively a little stickier than ice and any elevation change at all (especially on pavement) which shifts the center of gravity towards the rear.

Again, I agree, black ice or solid ice on a lake, nothing is going to help except in controlling how you come out of that. Snow, slush, rain, rain/snow, compacted snow, etc. AWD in the truck is a godsend.--It's a major difference and I don't think it should be under-sold. Admittedly I've never been on a road that was black ice for a mile or even more than a few hundred feet but coming out of that and re-gaining traction won't be the same in 2H.

 

[RodRecket]

Resurrection..... I have been following these Selec-Trac posts ever since Jeep announced the addition of the system for 2021 Gladiators. I have been itching for someone to take the plunge to retrofit but all of the posts lead to the same thing, a dead end. I finally decided to pull the trigger and ordered the axle shafts, transfer case, and shifter components. The Mopar parts system is very murky when it comes to retrofitting so I am definitely going off the reservation.

The transfer case arrives tomorrow and the rest of the parts over the next week or two. I'll start assessing the retrofit this week and may install the transfer case before the axle shafts if I have the parts. This is uncharted territory and I will keep track of my findings for others.

I realize everyone knows this, but parts are hard to come by!

Hell of a project! Looking forward to hearing what you find. Been wondering about going to a rubi transfer case if I came across one but this is a bit more adventurous.

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