Selec-Trac Transfer Case Swap - Myth Busted

[DC3]

Interesting. Any Idea if it would be easy to go the other way? normal tcase in a select trac?

Going the other way should be pretty easy. Swap the transfer case, controller, shift knob and update the BCM.

I'll confirm this once I'm finished with the swap.

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[l88m22vette]

Bump, any updates @DC3? I'm a new Overlands owner and this might be my first upgrade since it was impossible to find the options I wanted with one.

 

[DC3]

I ultimately decided not to proceed with the swap, partly due to time constraints, and I eventually sold the Jeep. I thought of swapping my current Diesel but time is still an issue.

I am confident the mechanical swap is straightforward. The electrical is partially straightforward. Swap the transmission harness and build a jumper harness from the trans harness to the BCM in the cab. There will be some module tuning, not unlike what I did with the ACC retrofit.

If you decide to venture down this path, I would happily support you with the information I researched. I would budget $2,000 for the swap, assuming you do the work yourself.

 

[Rubicon6MT]

What are your thoughts on why it isn't available with the manual transmission? I've heard a few theories, but you seem more mechanically inclined than most.

Did you ever find out why Selec-Trac was not made available with the manual transmission?

 

[TwelveGaugeSage]

Did you ever find out why Selec-Trac was not made available with the manual transmission?

Nothing definitive, but most likely it was about demand. Each drivetrain configuration has to be certified so they just did not feel there was enough demand to make going through certification worthwhile.

 

[Stan H]

Did you ever find out why Selec-Trac was not made available with the manual transmission?

Cause you already had select a gear

 

[DylanM]

Did you ever find out why Selec-Trac was not made available with the manual transmission?

Just a guess, but it's probably because the torque biasing element of the case doesn't play well with the inconsistent power input from a manual transmission and clutch when shifting through the gears. Power output through an automatic transmission tends to be smoother and more easily controlled, thus making for less wear and tear on the SelecTrac t-case clutches.

 

[NC_Overland]

My only hesitation in trading in my 2017 Canyon on my 2020 Gladiator was that no auto 4wd option was available. I used it all the time on my Canyon. It turns out that I didn’t miss it. Thankfully, the Gladiator has a vastly superior F/R weight distribution to any other truck in its class. The Jeep engineers worked really hard to have it nearly 50/50 like the JL (which is a little closer to 50/50). That’s why we have that weird/unsightly gap behind the rear doors.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Did you ever find out why Selec-Trac was not made available with the manual transmission?

You can't even get it without the X package or 4xe.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Just a guess, but it's probably because the torque biasing element of the case doesn't play well with the inconsistent power input from a manual transmission and clutch when shifting through the gears. Power output through an automatic transmission tends to be smoother and more easily controlled, thus making for less wear and tear on the SelecTrac t-case clutches.

The clutch application in the t-case is based on throttle position and road speed.
Since the one changes with every gear change in a manual - it just wouldn't work right.
Yes, that fits.

You can watch it work in JSCAN

 

[Stan H]

Just a guess, but it's probably because the torque biasing element of the case doesn't play well with the inconsistent power input from a manual transmission and clutch when shifting through the gears. Power output through an automatic transmission tends to be smoother and more easily controlled, thus making for less wear and tear on the SelecTrac t-case clutches.

That what I said . I said.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

That what I said . I said.

Damn echoes................ do you live in the mountains?

 

[Stan H]

Damn echoes................ do you live in the mountains?

Yodaleheooo

 

[Rubicon6MT]

Since the one changes with every gear change in a manual - it just wouldn't work right.

A manual transmission with full-time 4x4 didn’t work for the Gladiator, but this spec does exist based on vehicles like the Subaru WRX and Volkswagen Golf R.

With Stellantis discontinuing the Gladiator’s manual transmission, there was no reason to develop a full-time 4x4 transfer case to work with it… but they could have.

 

[NC_Overland]

Volkswagen auto group developed that manual transmission AWD system. I wish it was available on my S3. Only over seas. My S4 was a manual, but that’s a different set up. Longitudinally mounted.

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