Add more weight.
Is the tire size correct in the computer? Also be hair down to 10 psi that helps with flotation. Otherwise I found if I mash it then transmission will downshift enough to get me up the hills.
I air down and I’m fine. My tires are a little bigger 255-285 and speedo not corrected, but it’s mainly if I forget to turn off the traction control. When I do that, I just go ahead and manually shift so no chance for issues.
Just depends on where you are, and what the trails are like in your area. When using 4lo, and taking off in second gear, or sometimes 3rd (manual trans) in all but the steepest situations, and driving in to 2-4, I don't have any trouble at all keeping up with others. You can't go fast enough to max out 4 lo locally, without breaking something. First time out in the JT I hated 4lo, and mostly used 2wd until I needed 4hi. Last time around, I really leaned into 4LO, and used it most of the ride, and realized it's perfect. Makes everything so much easier. If I'm going fast enough not to be able to keep up in 4LO, then that trail probably doesn't need to be run in low range. I guess if you're somewhere less rocky and more open, your experience is diifferent.
. Great post. Liking it wasn't enough.A Jeep like ours does not make driving down bumpy roads any less bumpy. It’s actually the opposite. A Nissan Sentra would feel better in the cab…provided it doesn’t bottom out ;->
Solid axles come at the price of driver comfort. The strength, traction, & flexibility of solid axles is their mojo in an off-road environment.
The 4:1 transfer case case that Jeep brought to the table in the Rubicon was what rock crawlers were striving for through aftermarket means before then. But…for most light or moderate trail riding it’s too low. With a Rubicon in 4lo in first gear you could probably walk faster than it will go at idle speed. It’s about having control over your torque at very low speeds to navigate intricate obstacles.
As far as airing down…that certainly helps for comfort if you are going to be on bumpy dirt roads for long periods. Airing back up is always the problem without on board air. But…I think airing down into the low 20’s would suffice and get you to the next gas station without issue. I would air my rock crawler CJ down to 5lbs on the trail…without beadlocks ;-P. I got good a resetting a bead on the trail
Anyway happy trails!
Yes, it's very situational. I personally haven't done anything where I was like, damn wouldn't have made that with a 2.7:1 low range.
I haven't either. But it sure makes it a lot easier! The 4:1 box is a godsend for manual owners, I think. It pretty much eliminates stalling and burning the clutch. Sure it could be done with with 2.7:1. But the 4:1 makes it much more comfortable with the MT, with less clutch wear too.
Shifting manually off road is very common and makes a ton of sense. Transmissions can't see the pothole or rock you are about to go over. Shifting manually controls your speed and torque over obstacles reducing fatigue and wear on your vehicle. Keep doing it. 4:1 gives you even more control of your speed over obstacles. Staying in too low a area for the terrain will however lower your efficiency.
