Most people get a Jeep not just for the looks and for the status of them being Jeepsters, but more for the rugged 4-wheel drive that a Jeep offers. Jeeps are sturdy off-roaders, known for their trail prowess and the fact that they can go just about anywhere. That said; Jeeps do get stuck, mostly because of drivers who have no off-roading experience, and because some terrains, not even a Jeep can do.
When it comes to buying a 4X4 Jeep, things start to get a bit confusing. There isn’t just a two-wheel-drive and a four-wheel-drive to choose from, and in fact, there's a difference between the four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive as well. To make matters worse, the names Jeep uses to differentiate their drivetrains will leave most of us scratching our heads.
So, to dispell some of the questions and misconceptions around Jeep's amazing 4X4s, here are 15 facts you didn't know about them that will help you out if you're in the market for one.
15 AWD vs. 4WD, In Jeeps
Jeep sells both 4WD and AWD models, and one does not mean the other. A car can be an AWD but not be a 4WD and vice versa. An AWD is the tougher form of a 4WD and comes with great road grip and superior off-roading capability. Also, an all-wheel-drive may not always be kept on and may be more of a selective feature.
14 Jeep's 4X4 Systems Have Confusing Names
Imagine going into a Jeep dealership and asking for a rugged 4X4 equipped version of your favorite vehicle. The salesperson is likely to ask you which 4X4 you want. Namely Active Drive, Freedom Drive, Quadra-Trac, Selec-Trac, et al… The names are catchy but mean nothing to you, so how would you decide?
13 What Is Active Drive System?
Available in the Jeep Renegade and the Cherokee, the Active System needs no input from the driver at all and comes equipped with sensors that decide which wheels to send power to, which comes in handy for newbie offroaders. Active Drive II comes with low power management, while the Active Drive Lock comes with a differential locking system as well.
12 What Is the Command-Trac® 4x4 System?
Available in the Wrangler, the Command Trac® 4x4 System is such a hardcore off-roading system, that running it on dry pavement (normal roads) will cause expensive wear and tear. This is a mode in the Wrangler that should only be activated either when you're off-roading or facing some extreme weather (snow, ice, slush) on the road.
11 What Is The Rock-Trac 4X4 System?
A step above the Command-Trac, the Rock-Trac, as the name suggests, is a powerful off-road 4X4 system that comes in the mightiest of all Jeeps, the Rubicon. Other than offering all that Command-Trac gives you, Rock-Trac also provides a 4:1 gear ratio that lets you crawl at the lowest possible speeds with the most possible torque for superiors off-road grip.
10 What Is The Quadra-Trac I 4x4?
The Quadra-Trac 4X4 is what the Jeep Grand Cherokee comes equipped with, and much like the Active Drive System of the Renegade needs no buttons or levers or driver inputs. More of an all-wheel-drive solution, it comes ready and raring to go for gentle off-roading, and it is always engaged for perfect on and off-road driving.
9 What Is Quadra-Trac II 4x4?
If you are planning to get the Limited, Overland or Summit trims of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, you get bumped up to the Quadra-Trac II. You can also avail of it as an option for the Laredo trim, that otherwise comes with the Quadra-Trac I. Over and above everything the Quadra-Trac I offers, this comes with a two-speed transfer case able to send 100% of torque to the axle that has the most traction.
8 There Is Also The Quadra-Trac II With More
The Quadra-Trac II 4X4 System with rear electronic limited-slip differential is what Jeep calls its most advanced 4X4 system – always on the go. In this, 100% of the torque can go to a single rear wheel, if that is the one with the traction, and the car automatically decides the same since it comes equipped with wheel sensors. The driver can simply sit back and enjoy the adrenalin.
7 Multi-Modes, And Very Capable
The Quadra-Trac II system comes with the Selec-Track system with five different operating modes. The Auto mode will select the terrain for you, or you could dial snow, sport, sand/mud or rock if that's where your off-roading abilities are taking you. With a four-wheel brake-traction control and a brake lock differential, this is one very capable off-roading system.
6 So Then, What Is The Quadra-Trac SRT 4x4?
The SRT Grand Cherokee gets the SRT Quadra-Trac has a reinforced transfer case that can bear the increased output and torque better plus also handle the stress and strain of the electronic limited-slip differential in the rear. The mechanical "wet" clutch also helps reduce wear and tear brought about gear changes in intense off-roading.
5 What Does Selec-Terrain Mean?
The Selec-Terrain system is a sensor-based driving system in which the driver, or the vehicle, can select the kind of driving it needs to be doing, depending on the terrain it is on. If you chose the auto mode, then the vehicle and its sensors decide what needs to be done. Or, the driver can go ahead and select modes like snow, sport, sand/mud, and rock.
4 What About Freedom Drive?
If you move on from the hardcore off-roaders like the Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, and Wrangler; the Freedom drive is what makes the compact crossovers like the Compass and the Patriot at least partially off-road worthy. The two basic versions become the Freedom Drive I and the Freedom Drive II, depending on capability and budget.
3 What Do I Get In The Freedom Drive I?
Remember, we are talking Compass and the Patriot here. Mostly reviled and considered to be bad Jeeps, they are not all that bad, just not as off-road worthy as the Wranglers and Cherokees. Accordingly, the Freedom Drive I offers an electronically controlled all-wheel-drive that does have a locking mode for front and rear torque, depending on which wheels have better traction.
2 Is The Freedom Drive II Better?
The Sport and Latitude trims of the Compass and Patriot has the Freedom Drive II, but please do not take it to be a Rock-Trac system, even though it comes Trail-Rated. The Patriot and Compass are mostly city cars that can handle very limited off-roading, or should we say bad roads. But yes, the Freedom Drive II is a little more capable than the Freedom Drive I, but it isn’t a Wrangler, period.
1 What About The "Trail Rated" Badge?
Even the Compass, on the Freedom Drive II, comes trail rated. This means there are certain things it can do, but it can still not do what a non-trail-rated Wrangler or Cherokee is capable of. The Trail Rated badge is any vehicle that can do certain off-roading tests such as water fording, articulation and more.