How to put jeep wrangler in 4WD both automatic and manual transmission?

The jeep wrangler being off-road-oriented has a four-wheel-drive system that comes in handy when off-roading. But this can only help if you know, how to put jeep wrangler in 4WD both automatic and manual transmission?

There are situations where you don’t require to use the four-wheel-drive system, and there are some that you cannot get out of without using the four-wheel-drive system.  

If you have been driving SUVs and crossover’s that has a four-wheel-drive system, you know your way around engaging and engaging the four-wheel-drive system. It becomes easier to drive any other jeep with a four-wheel-drive system.

For new drivers, engaging the four-wheel-drive system can be an uphill task, and most do not even use it. Before we get to how to engage and disengage the four-wheel-drive system in a jeep wrangler, understanding the four-wheel-drive system first is essential.  

Jeep wrangler four-wheel-drive system

Jeep provides different four-wheel-drive systems for the wrangler. The difference is minimal, but there is a specific area where one is perfect. This does not mean that four-wheel-drive systems that are not capable are bad. For an experienced driver, it might not matter, but one will always feel inclined to a specific system.  

There are three main four-wheel-drive systems available for the jeep wrangler and they are listed below.

Rock-Trac® 4×4 System 

You’ll find this four-wheel-drive system on most wranglers, and it is also found in the jeep gladiator. The Rock-Trac® 4×4 System is designed for low-speed crawling over rocks and slopy heals. The following are its best features that make it a favorite among jeep wrangler drivers.  

• Front and rear Tru-lok® electronic locking differentials  

Locking differentials are essential in all off-roading vehicles, but most do not have a front locking differential. In jeep wranglers with the Rock-Trac® four-wheel-drive system, the differentials are operated from two switches on the dashboard.  

You can only lock the rear or both differentials, but you cannot lock the front only. If you lock both differentials, all four wheels will rotate at the same speed, thus reducing the loss of traction.

But it is recommended that you only lock both differentials if you are driving in a straight line since turning might be challenging with the front differential locked. When the rear differential is locked, the rear wheels spin at the same speed, thus increasing grip in the rear tires.  

• Brake lock differentials

This traction control system is commonly used in jeeps with a four-wheel-drive system. When using the braking lock differential feature, sometimes it is not even necessary to lock the differentials. It is used primarily on trails where you don’t need to lock the differentials. 

It works by applying brakes to the wheel with more traction; thus, more power is sent to the wheel with less grip, thus increasing traction.

For example, when one wheel’s front or rear wheel is in a mud puddle, it will spin more than the other. The brake lock will reduce the spin of other tires and send power to the wheel with less traction helping your wrangler out of the mud puddle.  

• Electronic disconnecting front sway bar

The sway bar on the front axle is meant to prevent the front wheels from traveling too much, especially when driving on paved roads. Most off-roaders, including the jeep wrangler, have a disconnecting sway bar that can be switched on and off electronically via a switch on the dashboard.  

When driving off-road and there are high bumps or crawling over rocks, you want all wheels to maintain contact with the surface at all times. The rear wheels do not have a problem with that.

Travel on the front wheel is limited, but not when you turn off the way bar. When you turn off the sway bar, the front wheels travel as much as the springs and axles allow, thus maintaining traction at all times.  

• NV241OR off-road transfer case

The NVR241OR case is known for its strength, durability, upgradeability, and serviceability. All these are contributed by its simple build but made of high-quality internals.  

But a low gear ratio makes jeep wrangler lovers prefer it over other transfer cases. With a 4.0:1 low gear ratio, it is the lowest in all transfer cases offered by jeep. This makes it possible even to climb the steepest of hills and crawl over large rocks with almost no effort.  

A neutral gear is ideal for towing, and when in four-wheel-drive mode, power is split 50/50 between the front and rear axles.  

Command-Trac® 4×4 System 

This four-wheel-drive system was first used on early jeep models produced in the nineties. Still, it was later used on some jeep models, including the jeep wrangler built-in 2008.

But the Command-Trac® 4×4 System used in newer jeep wranglers is called the Command-Trac® (II) 4×4 system, but it’s not that different from the original one. It has the following features.  

• NV241GII Off road transfer case 

What distinguishes the NV241GII transfer case from the NV241OR is that you can use the NV241GII when driving on paved roads, too, even in the lowest gear.

This transfer case also allows you to shift from the front or rear-wheel drive to four-wheel drive even at high speeds, but they should not exceed 55 miles per hour.

Power is split equally 50/50 between the front and rear axles in a four-wheel drive. A 2:72:1 low range gear comes in handy when rock crawling, and a neutral gear is mainly used when towing or when you have a heavy load in the trunk of your wrangler.  

• Brake locking differential 

The Command-Trac® 4×4 system also has a brake locking differential that is similar to the one in the Rock-Trac® 4×4 System.  

SelecTrac® 4×4 System 

This is the only automatic four-wheel-drive system available for jeep wranglers. It has sensors that automatically switch to four-wheel drive depending on the road surface condition.

Unlike in other systems where power is split 50/50 full-time, in the SelecTrac® 4×4 System, power is sent 100% to the rear wheels, and if there is a loss of traction in the rear 50% of the power is sent to the front axle.

This is because the mp3022 transfer case does not have a center differential. If you want to drive a full-time four-wheel drive, a smart lock feature allows you to do so.

The neutral mode on the SelecTrac® 4×4 System also allows towing. Some wrangler owners prefer the SelecTrac® 4×4 System, and they do so for the following reasons.  

• Vehicle stability.  

In the SelecTrac® 4×4 System, power and torque are continuously shifted between all wheels; thus, there is no loss of traction even when one wheel is up in the air when rock crawling. Power is sent to the wheel with more traction easing your wrangler out of the situation with almost no effort.  

Jeep wranglers with the SelecTrac® 4×4 System also have an Electronic Stability Program (ESP) which ensures your wrangler’s stability as it works together with the four-wheel-drive system.   

• Requires very less driver input

The SelecTrac® 4×4 System activates automatically depending on the road surface you are driving on. The only driver input required is maybe when you want to keep the four-wheel-drive system on, and this is done by switching on a switch on the dashboard.

You can concentrate on the road rather than shifting four-wheel-drive gears or switching on and off differential locks, which is the case in other systems.  

• Maintenance-free 

Since most of the components in the SelecTrac® 4×4 System are electronically controlled, there are fewer mechanically controlled components. Even the minor mechanic components are built to last a lifetime without being maintained and only need replacement if damaged.   

How to engage and use the four-wheel-drive system in a jeep wrangler?

Engaging the four-wheel-drive system in a jeep wrangler is very easy but knowing how to use it is where most drivers don’t understand. If you have the SelecTrac® 4×4 System, you don’t need to do anything, unlike when you have the Rock-Trac® 4×4 System or the Command-Trac® 4×4 System.  

These systems require constant driver input depending on the surface you are driving on. The four-wheel-drive system has different gears, and there is a specific way in which you should change them. You should also understand where each gear should be used.  

The 2H gear is where your wrangler is always on when driving your wrangler normally. When in this gear, only the rear wheels are driving your wrangler.  

The 4H gear is used when driving at normal speed, but you need more traction, for example, when driving on icy roads or muddy roads. Power is split 50/50 between the front and rear axles, so the front tires will aid in traction.  

Only shift to 4L when you need the most traction, as this is the lowest gear ratio you have on your wrangler’s four-wheel-drive system. Power is split 50/50, but the torque is more due to the low gear ratio.

When engaging 4L, you need to reduce the speed to less than 5 miles per hour, and you should not drive at speeds above 25 miles per hour.  

Engaging and disengaging the four-wheel-drive system

• Automatic transmission 

1. Stop your wrangler, reduce the speed depending on where you are driving, and shift the gear lever to the “N” neutral position.  

2. Move the four-wheel-drive gear lever from 2H to 4H. If the road conditions require you to use the 4L gear, do not directly shift from 2H to 4L.  

3. First, shift from 2H to 4H, reduce your speeds to less than 5 miles per hour, then shift to neutral. 

4.  After shifting to neutral, shift to 4L, shift your gear lever back to “D” (drive) and do not exceed speeds of above 25 miles per hour when in 4L.  

5. If you want to shift back to 4H, put your wrangler in neutral, then move to 4H. You should also change to neutral before shifting back to 2H, when in 2H, the four-wheel-drive system is wholly disengaged.  

• Manual transmission  

Note: Shifting gears in the four-wheel-drive system is similar to changing the normal gears in a manual transmission jeep wrangler.  

1. Slow down, press the clutch pedal, then shift the four-wheel-drive gear level from 2H to 4H. Release the clutch pedal and continue driving.  

2. If the road conditions require you to use the 4L gear, reduce your speed to less than 5 miles per hour, press the clutch pedal, then shift from 4H to 4L. Like in automatic transmissions, keep your speed to less than 25 miles per hour when in 4L.  

3. Shifting back to 4H will require you to reduce your speed, press the clutch pedal, and move the gear lever to 4H.  

4. Do the same when shifting back to 2H and when in 2H, the four-wheel-drive system is wholly disengaged.  

Caution

Do not shift directly from 2H to 4L as you will damage the transfer case. Remember to reduce your speed and shift to neutral or press the clutch pedal before shifting gears in four-wheel drive.  

Conclusion

The four-wheel-drive system in jeep wranglers is simple. With other aids such as locking differentials and brake locking differentials, off-roading in a jeep wrangler is easy and efficient.

Understanding how to use the four-wheel-drive system gears and other driving aids used off-road before you even drive to that short trail on your weekend off. Failure to which you’ll find yourself stuck.