The trick that seems to get engine braking to work on my truck is to get on the brakes firmly for a full second or two then let off. Not sure if it's a certain accelerometer threshold that must be met, but without the firm brake application first it'll just merrily coast downhill to ludicrous...
Pretty sure the CV style front axle shafts only come with the Selec-Trac option, whereas the standard Command Trac gets u-joint shafts. I'm also fairly certain they're a bolt in replacement if you want to swap over to the CV style.
I would suggest a trip down to the dealership and ask to test drive a hard top JT with the freedom panels removed. The absolute best way to get a solid answer to your question is to go try it out for yourself.
Sounds to me like your assumption is likely correct, the shift linkage has broken or otherwise come disconnected. If you're still spry enough to do so, you could crawl underneath the truck and have a look at the linkage to determine what's wrong and if it's something you can easily fix yourself...
From what I can see in your pictures you don't have a bad enough leak to cause sufficient concern to possibly jeapardise having your truck for your planned trip. Personally, I'd heed to advice to spray it down really well to clean off the buildup first, pay close attention to see if or where...
Code: C121C
Definition: Torque Request Signal Denied
Description: Powertrain Control Module (PCM) informed the Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Module that it will not allow the engine torque reduction requests. Engine is above 360 rpm.
Code: U0074
Definition: DEDICATED POWERTRAIN (D-PT) CAN BUS...
You're going to need to pinpoint exactly where the noise is coming from. Since it appears the noise can be easily replicated, this shouldn't be too difficult to do by just moving around the front of the vehicle with the hood up and listening. You can also use a short section of heater or...
I kinda figured the full time case had something to do with it, but still think it odd to not have a 4:1 low range in a Rubicon as that's been one of the constant defining parts of the package since it very first came out over twenty years ago. To me a Rubicon without a 4:1 low range is like a...
Seems a bit odd to me that a Rubicon would come with a 2.72:1 low range.
Just noticed the dealership listed on the window sticker. Good ol' Lancaster... used to live there years ago. :)