4x2 Capability Question
JK Super Freak
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 0
From: Guam - PCSing to McGuire AFB, NJ in July '09
It was said above, but here goes.
One great thing about having a 2wd is that if you ever decide you wish you had 4x4, you can grab a Rubicon D44 for ~$1500, an Atlas tcase for ~$2200-2900, and a front driveshaft for what.. $500 and you've got one hell of a 4x4!
Have fun and don't get yourself into too much trouble.
One great thing about having a 2wd is that if you ever decide you wish you had 4x4, you can grab a Rubicon D44 for ~$1500, an Atlas tcase for ~$2200-2900, and a front driveshaft for what.. $500 and you've got one hell of a 4x4!
Have fun and don't get yourself into too much trouble.
JK Newbie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
From: West Hills, CA
Like you, I have a 4x2 Unlimited. I've put a Tereflex Budget Boost on and a couple other mods. Other than that, I'm running stock tires and have had no trouble going where I want.
Yes, common sense says stay out of soggy mud holes and wet trails but where you are, sugar sand would be a more common issue.
There are some publications that list trails and rate them. Clearance is the biggest issue here in California (big rocks!) See if you can find one for FL. I'm sure there's something out there.
If anyone give you hell, just take a look at all the 4x4 vehicles around you. 95% never see any off road action!
Yes, common sense says stay out of soggy mud holes and wet trails but where you are, sugar sand would be a more common issue.
There are some publications that list trails and rate them. Clearance is the biggest issue here in California (big rocks!) See if you can find one for FL. I'm sure there's something out there.
If anyone give you hell, just take a look at all the 4x4 vehicles around you. 95% never see any off road action!
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 5
From: Lawrenceville, NJ
A lot of good info...I've wheeled with some guys with 4x2's going along with the 4x4's...and your limiting factors are:
....that you have no low range...so the tranny runs hot on an auto, and the clutch burns in a manual, more than if you had a low range to drop into, you can't climb or descend steep grades as safely, etc....
....You are twice as likely to get stuck with a hung tire...as you have an open diffed rear.
The compensations/equalizers for the above: (IF you HAVE to stay 2WD...)
Don't wheel alone...
Get a winch & pull Pal, 30' x 3' snatch strap, front and rear recovery points....carry shovel, axe, pick, sand rail and or other traction aides, etc....
Install a rear locker....
Re-gear the rear to as low a gear as the diff can handle....
Do a 2" BL for tire stuffage room, and run 35 x 14.5" tires...for better flotation/ground clearance/traction...as well as ....more ground clearance...approach, break over and departure angles...
NOTE: Really aggressive paddle wheel type MT treads that make a HUGE difference in MUD...tend to bog down in sand...and the less aggressive treads that tend to not bury in the sand tend to get packed with mud and act like racing slicks on ice if actually IN mud, etc.
Add a 2.5" BB for more ground clearance...approach, break over and departure angles...and allow longer shocks to try to keep those two tires on the ground, where they can do you some good...as well as allow more control for damping those larger tires, and higher center of gravity, etc.
Skid Plates, diff guard/ and sliders - "Full Set"...as you will be using more momentum to clear obstacles, and the sliders give a good place to un-high center yourself from, ward off rocks/stumps, etc....
----------------------------
Plan C - Considering the time. effort and cost of the above, consider getting a used 4x4 beater for playing off road with, and, possibly, a trailer you can tow it on with the 4x2.
....that you have no low range...so the tranny runs hot on an auto, and the clutch burns in a manual, more than if you had a low range to drop into, you can't climb or descend steep grades as safely, etc....
....You are twice as likely to get stuck with a hung tire...as you have an open diffed rear.
The compensations/equalizers for the above: (IF you HAVE to stay 2WD...)
Don't wheel alone...
Get a winch & pull Pal, 30' x 3' snatch strap, front and rear recovery points....carry shovel, axe, pick, sand rail and or other traction aides, etc....
Install a rear locker....
Re-gear the rear to as low a gear as the diff can handle....
Do a 2" BL for tire stuffage room, and run 35 x 14.5" tires...for better flotation/ground clearance/traction...as well as ....more ground clearance...approach, break over and departure angles...
NOTE: Really aggressive paddle wheel type MT treads that make a HUGE difference in MUD...tend to bog down in sand...and the less aggressive treads that tend to not bury in the sand tend to get packed with mud and act like racing slicks on ice if actually IN mud, etc.
Add a 2.5" BB for more ground clearance...approach, break over and departure angles...and allow longer shocks to try to keep those two tires on the ground, where they can do you some good...as well as allow more control for damping those larger tires, and higher center of gravity, etc.
Skid Plates, diff guard/ and sliders - "Full Set"...as you will be using more momentum to clear obstacles, and the sliders give a good place to un-high center yourself from, ward off rocks/stumps, etc....
----------------------------
Plan C - Considering the time. effort and cost of the above, consider getting a used 4x4 beater for playing off road with, and, possibly, a trailer you can tow it on with the 4x2.
JK Junkie
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,467
Likes: 1
From: 4 Corners
Hey, I'm getting old too - 57 years young. Put the RE 3.5 lift on th Jeep myself too. UPS just dropped off my new PullPal yesterday (ordered Mon or Tues). I've been in some situations, by myself (I know, I know but my work schedule makes it that way), where there was nothing to winch from and a high probability of getting stuck. They have a sale on the PP website now where you get the 11,000 PP, the cover and shipping for 403.
I'm not going to say I can't wait to try it............at the very least it will be a vomfort to have it.
I'm not going to say I can't wait to try it............at the very least it will be a vomfort to have it.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 369
Likes: 0
From: Springfield,Il
I would think the lack of low range would be worse than the lack of 4x4. I think you could get pretty far on light trails with low range and the factory traction control with better tires if you had low range. Its not too late to trade it in on a 4x4. The sooner you do it the more its worth on trade. Good luck to you.
Ty
P.S. There is also the option of buying an atlas transfer case and a rubicon front axle (or used dana 30) and converting over to 4x4. Not as hard as it sounds if you are handy in the garage.
Ty
P.S. There is also the option of buying an atlas transfer case and a rubicon front axle (or used dana 30) and converting over to 4x4. Not as hard as it sounds if you are handy in the garage.
Thread Starter
JK Freak
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 604
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral, FL
I owe $17k on mine, that's also the current kbb trade in value... so if I trade it in for a 4x4, I would then owe $27k as that's the average for a 4x4. Adding in interest over the next 5-6 years, it would end up costing me nearly $14k to trade it in to get 4x4, that's why I'm shying away from trading it in.
