FAD Missing

[Dilly’S Willy]

IIRC there was an option you could order without the FAD and instead they install a block-off plate that internally locks the two side together (like the FAD, but always engaged) as you see in the picture earlier.

BUT, Mopar still lists the FAD for the 2025 MY gladiator: 2025 Gladiator FAD parts

I DID hear the the 2024+ Wranglers stopped coming with the FAD and used that plate, they claimed they didn't see enough MPG loss after all while having an FAD "open" during 2WD vs the reliability for what most Wrangler owners complained about, and saving money, parts availability, etc etc etc.

Sadly you can't use Google to find sources to educate on things anymore since their BS "ai" crap just keeps parroting bs from forums, FB, etc that's wrong and doesn't even show valid sources anymore, just sponsored articles for 5-10 pages. Said both the gladiator and wrangler still use the FAD on all models in 2026 MY, which we can see isn't true.

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[Stan H]

My concern is what do I do if I ever upgrade to aftermarket axles so I can get high pinion?

Get a sugar momma so ya can afford the gas ..

 

[Zachanadandy]

IIRC there was an option you could order without the FAD and instead they install a block-off plate that internally locks the two side together (like the FAD, but always engaged) as you see in the picture earlier.

BUT, Mopar still lists the FAD for the 2025 MY gladiator: 2025 Gladiator FAD parts

I DID hear the the 2024+ Wranglers stopped coming with the FAD and used that plate, they claimed they didn't see enough MPG loss after all while having an FAD "open" during 2WD vs the reliability for what most Wrangler owners complained about, and saving money, parts availability, etc etc etc.

Sadly you can't use Google to find sources to educate on things anymore since their BS "ai" crap just keeps parroting bs from forums, FB, etc that's wrong and doesn't even show valid sources anymore, just sponsored articles for 5-10 pages. Said both the gladiator and wrangler still use the FAD on all models in 2026 MY, which we can see isn't true.

They all still have the FAD, just some aren't functional. If I put my left arm in a cast I still have 2 arms. One just isn't functional. They retained virtually all the parts that tend to fail (breaking axles at the FAD housing being the most common) which is dumb. If they aren't going to use the FAD, order the axles from Dana with a solid axle tube on the passenger side and a single piece shaft. Should be both cheaper and stronger.

 

[WILDHOBO]

IIRC there was an option you could order without the FAD and instead they install a block-off plate that internally locks the two side together (like the FAD, but always engaged) as you see in the picture earlier.

BUT, Mopar still lists the FAD for the 2025 MY gladiator: 2025 Gladiator FAD parts

I DID hear the the 2024+ Wranglers stopped coming with the FAD and used that plate, they claimed they didn't see enough MPG loss after all while having an FAD "open" during 2WD vs the reliability for what most Wrangler owners complained about, and saving money, parts availability, etc etc etc.

Sadly you can't use Google to find sources to educate on things anymore since their BS "ai" crap just keeps parroting bs from forums, FB, etc that's wrong and doesn't even show valid sources anymore, just sponsored articles for 5-10 pages. Said both the gladiator and wrangler still use the FAD on all models in 2026 MY, which we can see isn't true.

I can at least confirm with a friends ‘24 JTR, that is has the plate.

 

[WILDHOBO]

They all still have the FAD, just some aren't functional. If I put my left arm in a cast I still have 2 arms. One just isn't functional. They retained virtually all the parts that tend to fail (breaking axles at the FAD housing being the most common) which is dumb. If they aren't going to use the FAD, order the axles from Dana with a solid axle tube on the passenger side and a single piece shaft. Should be both cheaper and stronger.

Agreed. Lazy. They just decided to put a plate in, because it was cheaper than asking for a new part number. So dumb.

 

[Dilly’S Willy]

Agreed. Lazy. They just decided to put a plate in, because it was cheaper than asking for a new part number. So dumb.

At least you can still add the actuator later if you want 2LO.

 

[WILDHOBO]

At least you can still add the actuator later if you want 2LO.

Or 3 low.

 

[Iwanajeep131]

So to confirm, there are no FAD on 2025 JT rubicon? I thought it still had FAD and bought RCV with FAD from northridge because they listed it as "will fit".

 

[WILDHOBO]

So to confirm, there are no FAD on 2025 JT rubicon? I thought it still had FAD and bought RCV with FAD from northridge because they listed it as "will fit".

I thought they pulled them in 2024.

 

[heretic]

Yes but No.....
Your '25 SHOULD be like my '24 in that there in no electronic FAD, the actuator motor that slides the connecting collar back and forth is not there. However the passenger side drive shaft is still a 2 piece part, and is permanently locked in the "LIVE" position meaning it is always turning. this is done by a fixed fork (holding the collar in place) in the plate where the FAD actuator motor mounts to on the axel tube. Now for the big question can you get a SINGLE pice axel to work instead of using the FAD collar design, which would be stronger...That is an RCV question
I don't see why not, you would need a new FAD delete plate with no fork on it.

 

[WILDHOBO]

Yes but No.....
Your '25 SHOULD be like my '24 in that there in no electronic FAD, the actuator motor that slides the connecting collar back and forth is not there. However the passenger side drive shaft is still a 2 piece part, and is permanently locked in the "LIVE" position meaning it is always turning. this is done by a fixed fork (holding the collar in place) in the plate where the FAD actuator motor mounts to on the axel tube. Now for the big question can you get a SINGLE pice axel to work instead of using the FAD collar design, which would be stronger...That is an RCV question
I don't see why not, you would need a new FAD delete plate with no fork on it.

Or simply cut the fork off.

 

[heretic]

yes that too,

 

[Zachanadandy]

If cutting the fork off works, that would save me from having to buy another set of rcv without fad.

The fork is the only difference between the FAD block off plates for aftermarket shafts and the factory FAD "delete" that holds the collar in the engaged position. There's no way cutting the fork off couldn't work if you wanted to run a 1 piece shaft. From your posts you already bought the 2 piece shaft, which will need the fork to hold the collar in place.

 

[Iwanajeep131]

Since I already bought the 2 piece rcv and my jeep does not have fad, do you think buying a fad delete kit that has a collar would work vs buying new rcv. Something like this https://www.quadratec.com/p/dana-sp...MIhb6jspK46AIVWNyGCh3VZwgAEAQYASABEgIMvvD_BwE

 

[Zachanadandy]

Since I already bought the 2 piece rcv and my jeep does not have fad, do you think buying a fad delete kit that has a collar would work vs buying new rcv. Something like this https://www.quadratec.com/p/dana-sp...MIhb6jspK46AIVWNyGCh3VZwgAEAQYASABEgIMvvD_BwE

Your Jeep has the fixed fork already. The factory didn't actually delete the FAD like the aftermarket does by going to a single piece shaft. They replaced the shift motor with a fixed fork. That's why RCV says they'll fit, as they work 100% with your factory parts. If you want the FAD to actually function you'd need the shift motor, but the 2 piece RCVs are a direct replacement for your factory 2 piece shafts with fixed FAD (that's why I hate that Jeep uses the "no FAD" terminology as all the parts are the same minus the FAD motor).

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