They have Jeeps on lots where I live but IDK what options they do or don't have. The one thing I would point out is the online configuration is by no means a definitive answer. It is notoriously wrong. Also Jeep likes to take away options and then bring them back to keep things "fresh" sorry to hear about all of this but Jeep treats options like they do colors, sometimes they come and go quickly and without warning even if it's something a majority of their customers desire.

 

Just FYi the YouTuber TrailRecon already had an issue with his transfer case on the 392. The full time transfer case uses clutches instead of a chain. He has been running 37s tires and barely over 35K miles and the clutches were gone. He had to replace the whole transfer case.

 

I’m wondering if it has to do with how much and how often he tows. Not justifying the problem as it’s pretty lame that it can’t handle what he uses it for, but just a thought.

 

I'd look for one on the lot right now but I've NEVER seen one on a lot.

I found the same thing when I bought my JT Mojave a few years ago. Back then, Selec-Trac was a $695 option. I figured most JTs in New England would have it, but after seemingly endless searching for one, I just did a factory order.

 

I have the Selec-trac. It’s nice but the clutch based transfercase bothers me. If I had of realized it was clutch dependent and not chain I would have ordered the standard transfer case.


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My off-road uses are limited to beach/dunes/sandy Pine Barrens trails. And even if I put a mild lift on it eventually I keep standard tire sizes cause they work for me. So literally nothing I do is so hardcore as to challenge or stress the case.

But maybe the most important reason I wanted the full time system is that eventually it will become my then new driver daughter's Jeep and the extra piece of mind that she could just put it in full time setting in foul weather gave me warm and fuzzies.

Maybe I'll stop by the dealer today and see if a dealer search can uncover a unicorn.

I guess I could always get a Bronco instead but bleech.

 

Does a bronco have an option for a full time 4wd transfer case? Don’t think it does. Plus good luck getting one anytime this millennium. Pretty sure the closest thing would be the AWD bronco sport right?

 

I feel your pain, OH crap sums it up nicely. The 2024 building tool leaves me with a lot of disappointment and questions. I was hoping to get a 2024 JLR, and with the FT 4WD option from the 2023. That would have been nice for my wife to drive during the winter. My disappointments: Over $3K to get steel bumpers, no leather seats, no option to have the hard top and fender flares the same color as the body, and PT 4WD only for the Rubicon. I'm glad I'm in no hurry to spend my money, I might totally rethink this.

 

I was planning (and still will likely buy at some point this year - at least as much of this as I can get):

JL - Willys or Rubi

• 2.0T
• Select-Trac
• Bright color (green, purple, orange - whatever they eventually offer that's fun)
• Black Hardtop (eventual Bestop for summer) + insulation
• Brown leather (Katzkin if necessary)
• Nav + Alpine
• LED lights
• Heated seats/steering wheel
• maybe the Safety Group and/or Off-Road Camera

But now jeeez I dunno. Maybe I just stop and rethink.

I'm assuming they configurator is missing stuff or they are going to add more stuff. I mean crap they don't even show a leather interior for the Rubi right now. Not that I would buy a black leather interior. How friggin' stupid are they to only offer BLACK interiors on a vehicle that the top comes off. I mean my brown leather in the JKU gets warm on the beach but never burning hot like black would.

ARGH, I'm getting pissed just thinking about it .

 

You know what else is interesting. NO ETORQUE motors are listed!?!

Is that a mistake or are they moving away from Etorque?

I think I read something like 25% of current Wrangler production are 4xe models. Maybe they are abandoning Etorque on the last of the gassers?

I wonder.

 

Good point! To me that's about the only plus I see.

 

I had that option on the very first Jeep (branded vehicle) I ever owned, an '89 Jeep Cherokee Laredo. I actually think it was fairly standard on the Cherokee Laredo. I was nice, but not something I used all the time. I would use it when on patchy ice and snow when I lived in Virginia.

You can probably do just as well with judicious use of the full time 4H, just moving back to 2H when not in slippery situations and back to 4H when approaching them.

I wonder if people with that transfer case are simply putting in in 4H Full Time and forgetting about it and running down the highway at speed and putting wear on the clutch pack.

While many will tell you to NEVER put the Tx case in 4H on hard pavement, I have done that many times in my vehicles over the years both Jeeps and Rams whenever there is standing water on the highway for it tends to reduce the hydroplaning of the front wheels being pushed when in standing water (even a slight bit) for it will get you slipping. Having the front wheels turning will reduce that.

I have had 5 Jeeps and 4 4WD drive PUs with the standard transfer case since my Cherokee. I haven't missed it all that much.

 

I had that option on the very first Jeep (branded vehicle) I ever owned, an '89 Jeep Cherokee Laredo. I actually think it was fairly standard on the Cherokee Laredo. I was nice, but not something I used all the time. I would use it when on patchy ice and snow when I lived in Virginia.

You can probably do just as well with judicious use of the full time 4H, just moving back to 2H when not in slippery situations and back to 4H when approaching them.

I wonder if people with that transfer case are simply putting in in 4H Full Time and forgetting about it and running down the highway at speed and putting wear on the clutch pack.

While many will tell you to NEVER put the Tx case in 4H on hard pavement, I have done that many times in my vehicles over the years both Jeeps and Rams whenever there is standing water on the highway for it tends to reduce the hydroplaning of the front wheels being pushed when in standing water (even a slight bit) for it will get you slipping. Having the front wheels turning will reduce that.

I have had 5 Jeeps and 4 4WD drive PUs with the standard transfer case since my Cherokee. I haven't missed it all that much.

I know what I CAN do but see comments about this becoming a first time driver's vehicle in 5 years. I won't have the same confidence in her ability to do so when she's just learning.

For the record I've owned 4 Jeeps to date. Two were Grand Cherokees (99 WJ and 12 WK2), the first was an original all mechanical Quadra-Drive model (a V8 Laredo custom ordered after I fell in love with a press loaner of one when it debuted) and it was AWESOME. I also had a 98 XJ Classic which was decent, but same set-up like my JKU, and that was sometimes hairy in PA blizzards.

On top of that we've owned a number of other AWD vehicles including multiple Subarus, a Nissan, and currently a full-time 4wd Defender (which is a friggin beast and makes my JKU look stupid in the deep sand. It's unbelievable how effortless it is to drive in conditions that start to challenge my JKU).

Anyway, being a life-long mechanic and uber-enthusiast I kinda greedily want-what-I-want (and full-time is what I want). Which is why I almost never buy off the lot. I usually order my cars/trucks, and yes even a bunch of them motorcycles I've owned/own.

I may go stop at the dealer in a little bit and see if they can locate one, but I'm not going to hold my breath.

 

OK, I called a salesman with whom we met last week about a possible future order.

He's looking into the following for me:

• Is the configurator accurate in not showing any full-time case options? If accurate, does anyone know if that might be added back in later in the model year? (Yeah longshot I know).
  
  
• Is there a 2023 2-Door Unicorn sitting on a lot somewhere with a nice bright color and the full-time case option? If so what are the details and can we arrange a possible dealer trade for it?

I will report back what I learn (or don't).

 

Yes, I know. It sucks!

I have the Selec-Trac in my 2018 JL Sahara and LOVE it!

Selec-Trac is still available on 2024 model year but only a few trims. It is not available as a stand alone option across the entire lineup anymore.

From what recall seeing, you can still get the Selec-Trac on Sahara 4Xe, High Altitude 4Xe, and of course Rubicon 392. In fact, it comes standard on all those models.

If you really want the Selec-Trac on a Willys or a Sahara, you need to look for a 2023 sitting on a dealer lot, or at used ones.

Good luck.

 

I saw that but IIRC the only engine choice with it is the 2.0L. I want the 3.6L. I have a feeling I'll be sitting this out.

 

I love my jkur and everything about it but if there was one mod I could do for it easily, with no sacrifices otherwise, it would be 4 high full time.

My first jeep was a special ordered 95 ZJ with select trac, 99WJ next and when that gear pump clutch disaster case gave up I put in the select trac out of a salvage yard donor. My current 08 WK, 03KJ & 06KJ CRD both with select trac, and 17 MK all have full time 4 high or all wheel drive.

Only my wifes 17 jkur and my 13 jkur have a part time case and while I consider them superior in off road strength and ability neither one of them can make it up off my slightly uphill gravel driveway onto the pavement without spinning the rear tires unless I drop it in 4 high or am super soft on the take off.

All of the others have no issues with the driveway just the jk's. The other thing always on my mind in winter is getting enough snow/ice to put the jk in 4wd, Ky is not normally a cover the road with snow place, we get a lot of partial cover days with spotty ice patches and a jk in 2wd is as poor as my silverado 2wd work truck on those days. I won't even drive our jk's if there is a chance of less than total slick coverage because the thing is dangerous in 2wd compared to the full time older ones, especially the WK on snow.

But in summer, top off, clear warm weather, none are as much fun as our JKs are And I would say the same is true for JL & JT owners, sometimes not having every capability is justifiable in order to have the fun part.

 

The only reason the selec-trac is an issue with the 392 is because it’s full time 4wd. That transfer case gets no break from duty. Pulling a trailer on loose dirt roads in 4auto would be a killer. Now if he had run it in 4Hi in those conditions the clutches would have lasted much better.


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I use Full-Time 4H only on-road; no matter if it’s raining, sleeting, snowing or slushy.

As soon as I hit the trail, I shift into Part-Time. I don’t have any issues with it.

 

Well for me the Rubicon X checks a couple more boxes. Body and top the same color, and steel bumpers w/o getting the winch.

 

I was looking at the X last night. The compare tool CLAIMS that the Rock-Trac full-time case is Available, but the configurator doesn't list it as an option if you try to build. So one is wrong, and I was hoping that it was the configurator and not the compare tool. Though that's a good 10k more than I was going to spend. Still cheaper than the wife's defender by the cost of one expensive motorcycle so I can probably justify it if true. But if it is I'll likely wait a year more to save more down money.

 

Like others here, I wish for the SelecTrac in a Wrangler or Gladiator. No, rush on purchase, either. I miss having it. I owned a Liberty years ago with it. Now, I am pretty sure they are all chain driven. The difference is that the older models like my 03 Liberty had helical gears vs. the newer with clutch packs. I imagine that with appropriate maintenance and using the proper fluids will extend the life of these newer systems. Only time can tell.

I did at one point look at finding an older transfer case, ie. my Liberties or similar and putting it in the Wrangler. If I remember correctly, the input shaft was the issue. Length and spline count were different.

Hopefully, 24's will have this option. I might be in the market. Really like having a Wrangler or possibly a Gladiator. Full time is so much better in the winter.

Customer demand. #jeepcares

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Now, I am pretty sure they are all chain driven. The difference is that the older models like my 03 Liberty had helical gears vs. the newer with clutch packs. I imagine

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The fact is the Selec-Trac has drive clutches. It may have a chain but the weak point is the clutches. Burn out the clutch’s and you have NO 4wd.


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The 2-door is petty bad IMO. It has these large doors with unframed windows. The moment you pull the door open the glass wobbles like it is going to come off its rails.I noticed that also.Not a good set up and will leak as the years go on.

 

Someone mentioned on another thread (another website) that the dealer order guide still shows it as available (at least for the 2-door Rubicon):

Interesting. It shows as an available option on the two-door Rubicon, not online, but in the order guide. Looks like it's listed for dealers to add the package, but not for you to configure online. That probably means they expect it to be available, but it's not available right now...maybe.

I downloaded a copy of the order guide but I'm not familiar enough to be sure I'm reading it right. I can't tell if they are saying it is available on a Rubi or Rubi X and under what other restrictions that might be.

Am I allowed to link a thread from JL Wrangler forums here? Or do we have the order guide on this board?

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/latest-2024-jeep-wrangler-order-guide-pricing-list-jl-jlu-updated-monthly.112443/

It seems clear on the 4-door order form that the cases are only available on the 392 and the various 4xe models. But this gives me the smallest glimmer of hope on the 2-door.

 

Brad is a drama queen. He has broken every single Jeep he has owned, with the exception of his wife’s 2-door JL.

He doesn’t have any content to upload unless he is breaking stuff.

 

Brad is a drama queen. He has broken every single Jeep he has owned, with the exception of his wife’s 2-door JL.

He doesn’t have any content to upload unless he is breaking stuff.

None the less, he is not the only one to bring this to light. I had no idea that the clutch packs were also used for 4Hi and 4Lo.


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Here is a quote from the Gkadiator forum:

The current version of Selec-trac (used in the JL and JT) doesn’t really “lock” the font axle in a traditional sense. It uses a variable electronic clutch like those used in most all wheel drive systems these days. It changes the amount of torque sent to the front axle depending on what the computer thinks you need. When you put it in 4 Hi or 4 Lo it does close the clutch 100% to work effectively like the standard Command-trac t-case.

The one thing that does happen as soon as you pull it into 4 Auto is it connects the Front Axle Disconnect (FAD). This does cause a bit of a fuel economy drop, but it wouldn’t be able to adjust front axle activation dynamically without the FAD already connected.

The one potential downside to the Selec-trac is because of its use of a clutch instead of a solid engagement like the Command-trac and Rock-trac. Some people (though a very small number) have managed to overheat the clutch when used in sand causing it to fail to engage, leaving them stuck in 2WD until it cools.

I ordered my JT with Command-trac because I was worried about that potential problem, but I now wish I’d ordered Selec-trac after seeing just how few actual problems there have been. That said, I really do wish Jeep had used something similar to the old NP242 Selec-trac, as it used a planetary center differential instead of a clutch. Old XJ Cherokees, ZJ and WJ Grand Cherokees, and KJ Libertys had this as an option.


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IMO Jeep had a reason for dropping. A buddy of mine and I were talking about it ,and it "could possibly be" the had some warranty issues. One thing is for sure, they had their reasons.

 

I sent a message to Brad and he did confirm that it was the clutch packs in the selec-trac transfer case that went out preventing any 4wd modes.


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Well you guys have certainly given me a lot to think about, but I suspect we would be fine with one.

I'm surprised my salesman didn't get back to me yesterday. I think I need to reach out again, but I suspect the reason is he can't find a unicorn and can't get any definitive answers on future builds.

If so the question remains do I pursue the used unicorn I found or risk it and come to terms that when we eventually order we may wind up with a conventional transfer case.

 

If you can find a used JL with Selec-Trac in good condition, I’d try that.

Everyone I know, myself included, who owns a Selec-Trac, wouldn’t go back to a part-time transfer case.

 

I also have the Selec-Trac in my Rubicon XR with 4.56 gears and 35s. 45,000klm So far so good. I put on lot of miles on and off road I love the selec-trac especially in snow. My concern has been with the 4:1 low gearing and high stress of technical wheeling and front locker on.


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Playing around with building a Jeep, the 2024 JLU Rubicon X with the 8 speed AT only comes with the 4:1 Rock-Trac HD Full Time transfer case. The PT transfer case is not an option. Once I built it I clicked on more info in the transmission section and made that discovery.

 

Playing around with building a Jeep, the 2024 JLU Rubicon X with the 8 speed AT only comes with the 4:1 Rock-Trac HD Full Time transfer case. The PT transfer case is not an option. Once I built it I clicked on more info in the transmission section and made that discovery.

That's good to know. Though right now the configurator won't let me select the 2.0T motor (which I want) so I wonder if that will be limited to the 3.6 now?

 

Thanks guys. Rubicon with FT transfer case sounds fun.


D90 compares favorably with Bronco, since Ford has been ambivalent about rolling out upscale interiors to Bronco. Counter-intuitive, to offer an upscale interior in baby Bronco, and dilute it in full-priced Bronco. Marketing 101 says the more expensive model should get an interior at least as nice as the cheaper one.


I'm glad there may be 3 viable choices for my next full-priced purchase. It's a bit of an adjustment process, my beautiful 2009 Kia truck still going strong was $20k (best-in-segment base-model power and interior), and my JK was $30k (all the Sahara appearance packages). Now I'm comparing $55k for an up-model Bronco, or $60k for a Rubicon, or $65k for a D90, all three of which willfully hold back enough in terms of attractiveness to consider passing/ waiting.

 

Thanks guys. Rubicon with FT transfer case sounds fun.


D90 compares favorably with Bronco, since Ford has been ambivalent about rolling out upscale interiors to Bronco. Counter-intuitive, to offer an upscale interior in baby Bronco, and dilute it in full-priced Bronco. Marketing 101 says the more expensive model should get an interior at least as nice as the cheaper one.


I'm glad there may be 3 viable choices for my next full-priced purchase. It's a bit of an adjustment process, my beautiful 2009 Kia truck still going strong was $20k (best-in-segment base-model power and interior), and my JK was $30k (all the Sahara appearance packages). Now I'm comparing $55k for an up-model Bronco, or $60k for a Rubicon, or $65k for a D90, all three of which willfully hold back enough in terms of attractiveness to consider passing/ waiting.

I have to say our D110 is an amazing vehicle on and off road. But it doesn't offer the open air options of a Wrangler and I literally can't see making a D90 "hand-me-down" available to my first-time driver daughter in a few years. That's just stupid, though I guess I could almost say the same about a RubiX.

 

We don’t know what it will take. But he isn’t the only one. It’s No different then the guys that rather have a direct gear drive transfer case opposed to a chain drive.
All we can do is monitor the situation and see what shakes out. If the Selec-Trac II becomes an issue with guys that run 40s on rocks then we will hear about it. In the mean time I’ll enjoy mine just fine.


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