4:1 ROCK-TRAC HD FULL TIME 4WD SYS down south?

[MonkeySkunks]

If there's a thread for this, I didn't see it.

I'm looking at ordering a rubi and from what I can tell everyone highly recommends the Rock-Trac for snow. Around here everything shuts down and nobody drives for the day or two it snows every few years. Would this be a recommended upgrade/option where there is never any snow? I saw various discussion about the CV boot and potential for damage either here or on the JL forum and would probably stray away from the Rocktrac option unless it had significant benefit for me.

Sponsored

 

[spectre6000]

I have a similar transfer case on my ZR2 (might actually be the same New Venture unit with different gearing, but haven't verified). Depending on the software, there's a clutch on the output shaft that lets it slip when it detects drivetrain bind. It could conceivably be programmed to work the other way around as well, but I doubt that would be the strategy with a Jeep. Essentially, the point is if you have variable driving conditions (intermixed patches of ice and dry pavement), it allows you to put it in the automatic setting and just go.

A good example of this is up here where I live. Higher altitude is colder, and in the spring and fall we often get snow while they get rain down in the flats. In the middle is ice. Additionally, as the canyon roads twist and turn, some parts are shaded by canyon walls and trees and such, while others get sun. Between my house and the grocery store I can go from packed ice, to black ice, to dry pavement and back dozens of times. All of this is on winding roads with tight turns and the occasional switchback. If I have a traditional transfer case, I'm shifting in and out of 4wd over and over and over again to prevent drivetrain bind. With the automatic setting, I just throw it in 4Auto and go. Toss some studded snows on, and you become nearly invincible.

If you can't think of any analogous situations that you might come in contact with, it's probably a $700 (or whatever) upgrade you can skip.

 

[aldo98229]

I have Selec-Trac on my Sahara and I love it: it works great in these PNW winters.

Having said that, I don’t know that I would bother getting it if I lived in a milder climate.

 

[Gvsukids]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/selec-trac-full-time-4wd-system.32798/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...selec-trac-full-time-4wd-transfer-case.36046/

 

[MonkeySkunks]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/selec-trac-full-time-4wd-system.32798/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...selec-trac-full-time-4wd-transfer-case.36046/

I read through those and they both had limited info but one post did mention wet roads. I'm feeling like this is probably more advantageous to northern states.

Wet roads and mud would be the only application that I can think of around here but I can't imagine I'll be cycling through mud and pavement enough to warrant having the CV joints. I don't expect that spinning the tires on wet pavement launch would be a significant issue either.

 

[spectre6000]

Wet pavement is not a reason for 4auto, or even 4wd. If you're off road and consistently on something that will allow for wheel slippage, 4hi or 4lo are all you need. 4Auto is for rapidly going back and forth between limited and normal (including wet) traction only... Well... Except for selling transfer case upgrades.

 

[MonkeySkunks]

Wet pavement is not a reason for 4auto, or even 4wd. If you're off road and consistently on something that will allow for wheel slippage, 4hi or 4lo are all you need. 4Auto is for rapidly going back and forth between limited and normal (including wet) traction only... Well... Except for selling transfer case upgrades.

Thanks! That does a much better job of summing up what I was thinking and generally confirms it.

 

[Blade1668]

Living in LA, GA, FL, MS. or AL I don't really think it would be as useful as north of us where they get a lot more snow, sleet, ice and rain... AKA winter for months on end. Like a few States that have 2 season... Spring / fall and winter. I had a transfer case with that I was going to install in a MJ just because Jeep never did and I drove it in States that have more ice and snow in winter. I didn't get it done. But I'm planning on staying in the south now so not a reason for it. And throw in possible MPG loss.

 

[WXman]

You mean Selec-Trac, not Rock-Trac, right?

Selec-Trac is amazing for snow because you can drive and not worry about it. If you go from snow covered to dry pavement and back to snow covered, which happens a lot here it's nice to have a 'set it and forget it' setting for the t-case.

Down in the deep south I doubt it would ever be beneficial.

 

[KevinC]

If everywhere you have ever lived/drove and every vehicle you have ever owned/drove and you never thought of using a 4wd system because your rear wheels were slipping and sliding all over the road making it dangerous, you do not need the added expense and maintenance of the Select Trac AWD system.

 

[mazeppa]

You mean Selec-Trac, not Rock-Trac, right?

<snip>

The 2021 auto 3.6 Rubicon has the option of a full time Rock-Trac or the standard Rock-Trac. If the OP was referring to a Rubicon.

 

[MonkeySkunks]

You mean Selec-Trac, not Rock-Trac, right?

Yeah what mazeppa said, it's fulltime rock-trac on the Rubicon.

 

[RacerX00]

For you it probably comes down to whether or not you'd use it in an off-road capacity. For on-road if you don't experience snow, just enjoy the cheaper vehicle.

I feel like there has to be a certain amount of accidents out there that happen just because people have fancy traction setups and have the confidence to go fast without having any idea about turning or stopping in those inclement conditions. I had to face palm my wife's reaction to driving her Escape in the snow for the first time after coming from a smaller car.

Wife, "It handles awful in the snow"
Me, "Wow, did you get stuck and have trouble going? That car should not have any problems in light snow at all"
Wife, "No it went great but it wouldn't stop"

This is a woman who grew up in rural lake effect snow country...

If you're not gonna use the gas pedal (or can't because you thought 60mph on a sheet of ice coming up to a red light was OK) to get you out of it, then all the pedal to the metal traction in the world.... how is that going to help you?!

Sponsored