Which Jeep Wrangler 4×4 Option is Right for Huntsville Drivers?

Most of the frequented travel spots throughout Huntsville are located on paved roads, but it still has plenty of nearby campsites, creeks, and outdoor locations to make full use of the Jeep Wrangler’s outdoor capabilities. Due to its versatility, the Wrangler can be extremely useful for all types of travel, whether seasonal or recreational. In fact, if you’re looking for a Wrangler specifically with 4×4 capabilities, you’re probably going to be looking at specific trims of the Jeep Wrangler for sale near Huntsville that not only contain the features you want but also the performance capabilities you need. Before you head off to shop for one, we have some tips for those of you looking to purchase a Wrangler and some ideas as to how you can get the most out of one that has the specifications and utility to perform up to your expected standards when it comes to 4×4 traversal.

Wrangler’s 4×4 Systems and What You Should Be Shopping For

The Jeep Wrangler’s current JL generation offers multiple 4×4 systems, both in part-time and full-time formats. These are systems dedicated to the four-wheel drive iterations of the Wrangler, not the two-wheel drive versions. If you’re shopping for a used or new JL model made after 2017, this means you have access to three different 4×4 systems: Selec-Trac, Command-Trac, and Rock-Trac.

Each of these systems delivers different types of torque transfer through the transfer case, offering either part-time or full-time four-wheel drive capabilities. Command-Trac, for instance, is a part-time 4×4 system that delivers torque to all four wheels depending on when you need it. This enables you to use a 2.72:1 low range of torque transfer for different types of terrain traversal. You can also flat-tow, rock-crawl, or drive through all types of different road and weather conditions with Command-Trac.

Selec-Trac is an available full-time 4×4 system, which means that it can automatically switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive depending on the road, weather, and terrain conditions. If you regularly do a lot of daily driving and only need the two-wheels for basic errands, maybe when making a run to the store or to pick the kids up from school, the Selec-Trac can make use of the two-wheel drive system to reduce the workload on the powertrain and improve maximum travel efficiency. If you need to deal with snow, ice or slippery roads during the cold or rainy seasons in Huntsville, or if you want to travel off-road, you can make use of the 4×4 system that engages all four wheels for maximum stability and traction control.

The Rock-Trac 4×4 system offers the best 4×4 system available for the Wrangler, available in part-time or full-time formats depending on the trim, the Rock-Trac’s 4×4 full-time system adds the available 4H Auto Mode that can automatically engage or disengage all four-wheels depending on the road conditions or off-road situation. In addition to the 4H Auto Mode, there is also the rear-wheel drive-only mode and a 4:1 low gear ratio mode for maximum torque output for rock-crawling, mudding, or traversing through difficult terrain.

4×4 System Considerations for the Wrangler

Depending on how serious you are about where you take your Wrangler or what sort of driving you’re planning on doing will depend on which 4×4 system you should go with. For daily driving and some light off-roading, with the option of going full weekend warrior, Selec-Trac makes the most sense, as you can engage the rear-wheel drive only for daily driving and then go full-time 4×4 mode when you go boating at the lake, spending time down by the creek, or camping on the weekend.

Command-Trac might be a good option for more casual drivers looking to get started with a Wrangler. It’s a good option to pursue if you’re interested in a Wrangler that can travel in various situations and offers the 4×4 capabilities when you need them, but it isn’t something you want to think too much about when it comes to choosing different modes and features. Rock-Trac, however, is perfect for those who are serious about off-roading and want a fully capable Jeep Wrangler for any occasion, especially serious 4×4 traversal.

Since Rock-Trac and Selec-Trac have more options for engaging or disengaging their 4×4 systems, you will need to be more involved with how you utilize them on or off the road. If you don’t feel like that’s something you really want to deal with, then the Command-Trac helps to simplify the process. It’s also a better option for those who do more daily driving than any serious off-roading, where you get more of an even split in drive options with the Selec-Trac, making it good for intermediate drivers who do some intermittent off-road traversal. The Rock-Trac system is designed more-so for enthusiast off-roaders, and if you’re advanced enough in your off-roading skills, this is the system to go with.

Which Jeep Wrangler Trims Come With Which 4×4 Systems?

The current Jeep Wrangler generation is available across multiple trim grades, and some model years have special editions while others have unique packages. However, most of the trim grades are consistent throughout the generation and those grades come with dedicated 4×4 systems. For instance, the Sport, Sport S, and Willys trims all come with the Command-Trac part-time 4×4 system.

The Sahara comes standard with Command-Trac but can be configured to make use of Selec-Trac. The Wrangler 4xe trims also come standard with the Selec-Trac 4×4 system as well, if you were interested in a plug-in hybrid version of the SUV. The Rubicon is the only one that comes standard with the Rock-Trac 4×4 system and the Tru-Lok electronically locking differentials. This feature applies to all the Rubicon models, which spans the Rubicon, Rubicon X, the Rubicon 392, and the 4xe Rubicon trim grades.

Picking the Right Wrangler 4×4 for Huntsville

Since the different 4×4 systems are attached to the different trim grades, it means picking a model that makes sense to you. Now, if you’re working on a budget, not entirely interested in something high-end or expensive, and don’t need a fully featured Wrangler, the Sport, Sport S, or Willys makes a lot of sense for both daily driving and some light off-roading capabilities. They are also available in either the two-door standard Wrangler format or the four-door Wrangler Unlimited format, so whether you’re getting a Wrangler for yourself or your family, they are scalable in the sense that they are designed for basic travel and can still make use of the 4×4 capabilities thanks to the Command-Trac part-time transfer case.

If you want a good all-around Wrangler that can also handle towing, daily driving, and some occasional extreme off-roading, the Sahara and the 4xe trims with Selec-Trac make a lot of sense as potential models. The Sahara and all the 4xe trim grades, however, are only available in the four-door Wrangler Unlimited format, so if you were looking for a good 4×4 SUV that was only in two-door format, the Wrangler with the Selec-Trac 4×4 system is only available in the four-door format. This also means you will have to consider the price of these trim grades as well.

The Rubicon series of trims are all paired with the Rock-Trac heavy-duty 4×4 system, even with the 4xe trims. The big difference is that if you go with a standard Rubicon or Rubicon X, you can get them in the two-door or four-door Wrangler Unlimited configurations. The Rubicon 392, Rubicon 392 Final Edition, and the 4xe Rubicon trims are only available in four-door formats. So that’s another thing to consider, whether you want a heavy-duty transfer case and 4×4 system in a two-door or four-door format, and whether you want the Rock-Trac heavy duty transfer case in a standard Wrangler or 4xe plug-in hybrid format as well.

Ready to Take the Next Step and Shop for a Jeep Wrangler?

Now that you have an idea of what the 4×4 systems are and what sort of features they offer for the Wrangler, are you ready to take the next step to shop for a Jeep Wrangler for sale near Huntsville? If so, we can help you. Our sales staff can give you all the necessary information and insight into shopping for the right kind of Wrangler trim with the 4×4 system that appeals most to your driving aspirations. If you’re still unsure about which 4×4 system for the Wrangler works best for you, or would like more information about their features and capabilities, definitely visit us at Lake Norman Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and you can test-drive the different Wrangler models for yourself, and easily figure out firsthand which one feels right for your driving personality.