Need Advice Choosing 4WD on GC

Thanks for reading... I am planning to buy a 2004 GC and I am trying to determine which 4WD system would work best Would appreciate any help choosing between Selec-Trac, Quadra-Trac II and QuadraDrive. How do they compare for long term reliability or problems?After reading over some past threads it seems (correct me if I misunderstood) that they all work well so it comes down to what type of driving you do.

I live on a forest service road in the N.Carolina mountains where we get moderate amounts of snow...which quickly compresses to ice and then thaws to make mud. :-) I don't do any real off-road driving, but have driven these roads for years and occasionally might get on a back road trail or into a pasture, as well as the usual pavement in town or on the highway. I now have a Dakota with part-time command-trac 4WD. (only really got stuck once with front and rear wheels on the same side unable to get traction.)

Any opinions or advice about which system to choose would be greatly appreciated....but I know for sure, the driver is the most important element in any situation. :-) Many Thanks, Dare Gaither

Reply to
CD Gaither
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Reply to
L.W.(ßill)

If you can afford it, the qt2 and quadrive would be the way to go. I have a cherokee with selectrac and an 01 GC, and my wife prefers the GC when snowy and icy conditions prevail. The system works so smooth that you hardly know its there. I also got rid of the Goodyear tires and got Michellin cross terain. Much better drive and traction.

Can't say about the reliability of the qt2, as I have only 29,000 miles on the GC. No problems so far. Hopefully the extended warranty will pick up major problems upto 100,000 miles or 7 years.

Larry Greenwood

Reply to
Larry Greenwood

Thanks...great site...think I have a better grasp of the differences now. I'm (obviously) new to learning this, so I appreciate advice from experienced jeep owners. Any opinions on the following?:

If I'm understanding correctly, it sounds like the Selec-Trac would give more options and allow for more control... especially with the Trak-Loc rear differential which it says is available...but would also require more knowledge and experience to use it most effectively. It says the NV242 transfer case comes in two versions: the NV242LD with a rubber boot to cover the rear output shaft and the NV242HD with a cast aluminum housing. Would the -HD be better for daily driving on a rocky dirt road?

The QuadraDrive seems to be the easiest to use while still providing versatility for many kinds of power/torque transfer.

Thanks for the information... Dare

Reply to
CD Gaither

Thanks...the tires are an excellent point. Would probably be a good idea to switch them before next winter. Appreciate your help.

Dare

Reply to
CD Gaither

Or, call your local tire stores and check to see if they will swap out tires from a brand new vehicle.

Many tire stores will give you a pretty good trade-in price on NEW tires from a NEW vehicle with less than 100 miles on the odometer. Some tire stores may want you to drive directly to their store from the dealer. Find out the exact brand, model and size of the tire that comes on the vehicle you want, and call your tire store for trade-in value.

That way you can have the tires you want right from the get-go.

Tom

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Reply to
mabar

Thanks, I'll check that out. Appreciate the suggestion, Dare

Reply to
CD Gaither

I suspect in the hands of an expert driver with considerable experience in driving with a part time 4wd, that drivetrain may be better. For folks not that skilled, the Gerotor based system will probably do a better job of keeping it between the ruts.

The Michelin Cross Terrain is good, so are the Michelin M+S. The Michelin A/T In My Non-Humble Opinion does not offer enough advantages over the M+S and is actually worse in rain and snow.

If you expect stumps and rocks, may want to also check out the higher load range versions of the Pirelli Scorpion AT with the heavy duty sidewalls.... the logging trail folks up around Montana seem to prefer them to the Michelin if you can tolerate the coldstart thumpthumps on really cold days.

Reply to
L0nD0t.$t0we11

My gf has Select-trac on her '99 GC. You are right, you can get some great control. We did have to replace the transfer case at 77,000 miles though. $1000, but covered under warranty.

Reply to
Mark12211

My opinion. I would get select track. This will take you anywhere and can be left on all the time. I've had it since '94. Never go into two wheel drive.If you wish you can go into 4WD part time with it. If the going is going to be tough, get rear end posi as well. I don,t like the others because the four wheels pull only after some of the wheels have started to spin. Too late in many cases. WJD Canada.

Reply to
Wilfrid Dugas

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