4X4 issue on beach this weekend

[Surffisher2a]

Since labor day is over, I took my 2021 gladiator mojave (4K miles) on the beach this past weekend and I had a strange issue with the 4X4 engaging.

When pulling out onto the beach we almost immediately got semi-stuck. We had the vehicle in 4-Hi part time, traction control off and Offrode Sport plus, which is what we 99% of the time while we are on the beach. When I got out I noticed our front tires were not spinning at all when trying to crawl out of the small hole we were in. I was able to rock us back and forth and get out of the hole. I put the jeep into 4 low and it seemed to go in fine so we continued down the beach.

About another 1/2 mile down the beach we got semi-stuck again (still in 4 Low). Noticed the same thing, front wheels not spinning at all when trying to get unstuck. Same settings as above, traction off, off road sport mode on. I shut down the jeep for 5 mins and started it back up. Climbed right out of the small hole and drove off the beach without any further issues. I am 99% sure full four wheel drive (4-low) kicked in right after I restarted my jeep.

Throughout all of this there were no dash inductions of any kind (except the tire pressure system from where we air down the tires). All indications (lights) of wheel drive seemed 100% normal, it cycled through the light when switching between 4-part and 4-low. Nothing was flashing. We tried it with and without traction control / on /off, also tried it with off-road sport mode on /off and that didn't make any difference.

We are fairly experienced beach drivers and never had any issues like this before with any vehicle. We were going straight in the tracks already in the sand when this happened, we weren't doing anything crazy.

I am just wondering what the issue could be? Does anyone have any ideas? It almost seems like the front hubs were not locking in. I am nervous to take this jeep back on the beach without knowing what the issue could have been. I would really hate to get a couple miles down the beach and have this happen and need to be towed out.

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[hjdca]

Without Lockers, in 4WH or 4WL, when stuck, one front wheel should spin and one back wheel should spin. If that is the case, then, it is working properly. With Lockers, all 4 wheels will spin. If everything is working properly, then, it's best take air out of the tires, ie. go from 35 psi to 16 psi. That will make a huge difference in the sand.

 

[Jefe1018]

Was neither of the front wheels spinning?

Something that helps to “float” on sand is a bigger foot print, meaning letting some air out of the tires.

 

[Surffisher2a]

Both of the rear tires were spinning, neither of the front two were doing anything.

I was aired down to 20psi when before driving on the sand, airdown to 15 psi one we got stuck.

 

[hjdca]

Both of the rear tires were spinning, neither of the front two were doing anything.

I was aired down to 20psi when before driving on the sand, airdown to 15 psi one we got stuck.

Something is not right. Expecially if you were in 4WD Low. When new, the Gladiator can "pop out" of 4WD low because everything is so tight and sometimes the gear is not fully engaged - even though the lever cannot move anymore...., however, if that happens, it pops out to neutral, not 2WD.... Note: this issue goes away once you use the 4WD low a few times and everything breaks in.

 

[Jaxmax]

Experienced guy living in coastal NC, knows what he is doing and it seems to be “popping” out of 4H or 4L. Perhaps your shift lever is not staying in the position or there is something not right, perhaps front axle disconnect could be a place to look? Gets expensive getting towed off the beach, I can see why you would be wary of driving on beach again….Jack

 

[Surffisher2a]

I don't think this is an issue with the shifter moving or popping out. I was able to cycle through the different modes (4hi,4lo and even 2wd) and that didn't seem to resolve the issue.

I find it odd that once I shut the vehicle down and let it sit for 5 minutes, it seemed to work perfectly after that. I didn't touch a thing once it was restarted. It just drove right off the beach like it was supposed to.

 

[tom.mary.glad]

Something is not right. Expecially if you were in 4WD Low. When new, the Gladiator can "pop out" of 4WD low because everything is so tight and sometimes the gear is not fully engaged - even though the lever cannot move anymore...., however, if that happens, it pops out to neutral, not 2WD.... Note: this issue goes away once you use the 4WD low a few times and everything breaks in.

I'm hoping mine breaks in soon. I've been in 4Lo probably 6 times and it still popped out last weekend.

 

[bleda2002]

I'm hoping mine breaks in soon. I've been in 4Lo probably 6 times and it still popped out last weekend.

Even though i've used my 4lo a ton I still end up kind of hammering the level with my fist after i engage it from how often it would pop out.

 

[hjdca]

I don't think this is an issue with the shifter moving or popping out. I was able to cycle through the different modes (4hi,4lo and even 2wd) and that didn't seem to resolve the issue.

I find it odd that once I shut the vehicle down and let it sit for 5 minutes, it seemed to work perfectly after that. I didn't touch a thing once it was restarted. It just drove right off the beach like it was supposed to.

There is a "collar" that is moved on the front axle by an electrical Actuator that changes the front axle from free wheeling to locked to the front driveshaft. This is called the FAD (front axle disconnect). The Actuator is managed by an "electrical connection", ie. signal. My guess is that there is an issue with the FAD. It should be an easy fix. If it is under warranty still, I would take it to the dealer.

Note: If you look behind your front axle on the passenger side, you will see a skid with the actuator on top of it. This is the FAD.

 

[j.o.y.ride]

You may be able to see if the front drive shaft is spinning or not. That would for sure tell you the transfer case slipped out.

 

[Volt0]

On mine, I had a few issues if I tried going directly from 4hi to 4lo ( even below 6mph ). Since then, I come to almost a complete stop (<1mph), main shifter to neutral, then t-case to 4lo, and main back to D. I’ve had no issues using that approach. Reverse the process for coming out of 4lo. No grinding, no forcing the shifter, easy peasy; no more attempting to get the t-case from hi-to-low while rolling between 1mph and 6mph. No more popping out either. Hope that solves it for you.

Edit: I reread your post, and have a few items that raised an eyebrow for me. Does your Mojave have both auto-4wd and part time 4wd? If so, I’m wondering if some bouncing around kicked it back into 4h-auto, and if there’s an issue with 4h-auto not kicking in like it’s supposed to ( I.e. not the fad )

 

[Jaxmax]

Check the electrical connection and fuses in fuse box for the FAD. Could checking the Front Axle Disconnect be as simple as see if front driveshaft is spinning when tires are not? Your mileage is low enough it should be a warranty issue. Getting it do it somewhere safe or on Jack stands as taking it to dealer and have them saying it is fine is probably the outcome unless it acts up. Perhaps there are some codes? Sorry ,about all I got, but something is wrong and your test of the front tires not spinning while rear is digging is solid test, I have lived it in a Tahoe on a ramp, with a bad FAD motor….Jack

 

[TangoMac]

Please update us with what you find. Thank you.

 

[Alan SOBX]

Since labor day is over, I took my 2021 gladiator mojave (4K miles) on the beach this past weekend and I had a strange issue with the 4X4 engaging.

When pulling out onto the beach we almost immediately got semi-stuck. We had the vehicle in 4-Hi part time, traction control off and Offrode Sport plus, which is what we 99% of the time while we are on the beach. When I got out I noticed our front tires were not spinning at all when trying to crawl out of the small hole we were in. I was able to rock us back and forth and get out of the hole. I put the jeep into 4 low and it seemed to go in fine so we continued down the beach.

About another 1/2 mile down the beach we got semi-stuck again (still in 4 Low). Noticed the same thing, front wheels not spinning at all when trying to get unstuck. Same settings as above, traction off, off road sport mode on. I shut down the jeep for 5 mins and started it back up. Climbed right out of the small hole and drove off the beach without any further issues. I am 99% sure full four wheel drive (4-low) kicked in right after I restarted my jeep.

Throughout all of this there were no dash inductions of any kind (except the tire pressure system from where we air down the tires). All indications (lights) of wheel drive seemed 100% normal, it cycled through the light when switching between 4-part and 4-low. Nothing was flashing. We tried it with and without traction control / on /off, also tried it with off-road sport mode on /off and that didn't make any difference.

We are fairly experienced beach drivers and never had any issues like this before with any vehicle. We were going straight in the tracks already in the sand when this happened, we weren't doing anything crazy.

I am just wondering what the issue could be? Does anyone have any ideas? It almost seems like the front hubs were not locking in. I am nervous to take this jeep back on the beach without knowing what the issue could have been. I would really hate to get a couple miles down the beach and have this happen and need to be towed out.

I want to know where you got on the beach already. Emerald Isle opens up to beach traffic on September 15th so I have only been able to drive on South Core so far. Time to surf fish if I could find sand fleas in any abundance. Scattered when I walked the dog yesterday. There were none last year which I have never seen happen in 50+ years.

I hope you get the issues worked out before October when the fishing really kicks in. You are not new to having Jeeps (I am) so you likely already know how to override the system so you can lock the rear differential for use in 4H. Probably the best tip from this forum for me so far.

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