What Are Jeep 4x4 Systems?
The story of Jeep's 80-year history as the king of off-road vehicles began on the battlefields of World War II when Willys-Overland signed a government contract to produce light-duty 4x4 vehicles for the United States military. After the war, those vehicles were made into farm trucks and sold to the civilian population, and the rest is history. Fast-forward to the present day, and the Jeep Brand is known to provide some of the most off-road capable vehicles in the world. Modern Jeeps come with various 4x4 systems to provide the best possible handling for the specific vehicle. In addition to the superior off-road handling, 4x4 Jeeps come with Selec-Terrain traction management with Auto, Snow, Sport, Rock, and Sand/Mud modes, giving drivers more control than ever! Continue reading below to explore the many 4x4 systems offered by Jeep, then be sure to check out our 4x4 Jeep inventory right here on our website!
Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler 4x4 systems
Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler models come standard with Command-Trac 4x4. This system defaults to two-wheel drive until the driver shifts the transfer case to four-wheel drive. This versatility allows drivers to take their Jeep from the city streets to the most rugged terrain. In addition, on-the-move shifting allows drivers to shift into 4x4 at highway speeds up to 55 MPH. Meanwhile, the Rock-Trac 4x4 system provides optimal control for off-road enthusiasts. Rock-Trac is standard on the Rubicon trim levels and comes with high and low 4x4 modes. 4-High splits the torque by 50% to the front axle and 50% to the rear axle, while 4-Low offers low-speed crawling capability with an electronic locking front and rear differential and a 73.1:1 crawl ratio.
Jeep Grand Cherokee 4x4 systems
While the Grand Cherokee comes standard with rear-wheel drive, many of its models come with one of three available 4x4 systems. First is Quadra-Trac I. This full-time 4x4 system defaults to 4-High mode with a single-speed transfer case. This allows for seamless control across a wide range of road conditions. The center differential splits the engine's torque by sending 48% to the front axle and 52% to the rear. The Brake Lock Differential and Four-Wheel Brake Control systems optimize the Grand Cherokee's Traction. Quadra-Trac II also offers full-time 4x4 but employs a two-speed transfer case instead of a single-speed. 4-High is the default setting, but when the system detects a need for additional traction, the transfer case will shift itself into 4-Low automatically. When the system senses a loss of traction, the clutch pack will engage electronically to send up to 100% of the available engine torque to the axle with the most grip. Quadra-Drive II has the same transfer case as Quadra-Trac II and adds an electronic limited-slip rear differential to further protect against traction loss. This system monitors wheelspin to predict a loss of traction and makes the adjustments that are necessary to limit the severity of slippage.
Jeep Cherokee 4x4 systems
The Cherokee also has three available 4x4 systems. Active Drive I delivers a seamless shift into and out of four-wheel drive without any driver intervention. The system will detect wheel slippage and automatically redistribute engine torque when it is necessary. The rear axle disconnect will only activate four-wheel drive the road conditions require it. Selec-Terrain for Active Drive I includes Auto, Snow, Sport, and Sand/Mud modes. Active Drive II offers 4-high and 4-low 4x4 traction control. This system takes all the benefits of Active Drive I and adds a 4-Low mode for low-speed off-roading control. Standard on the Trailhawk trim is Active Drive Lock. This system adds a mechanical rear axle lock to the Active Drive II system and adds Rock mode to the Selec-Terrain dial.
Compass and Renegade 4x4 systems
The Compass and Renegade trims use Active Drive, a single-speed transfer case system that automatically shifts in and out of four-wheel drive. Active Drive also uses rear-axle disconnect to maximize fuel economy when there is no need for four-wheel drive. Active Drive Low comes on the Compass, and Renegade Trailhawk trims. This takes Active Drive and swaps in a two-speed transfer case with a 20:1 crawl ratio, providing fantastic low-speed traction. 4-Low mode backs up this control by locking the front and rear axles.
Get a Jeep 4x4 in Toledo, Ohio!
Jeep has never settled in their pursuit of providing superior off-road handling, and they show no signs of starting to in their 80th year of production! When you get behind the wheel of a Jeep 4x4 vehicle, you'll feel the success of all of the brand's hard work. Don't just take our word for it, though! Come on down to Grogan's Towne Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, where a friendly sales team member will help you find the perfect Jeep for you and accompany you on a test drive! You can also start your search right now by perusing our full inventory right here on our website. We look forward to working with you!