The Jeep as a brand is popular with its off-road adventures capabilities. But one feature that is often neglected but somehow important when doing off-road driving is the 4-wheel drive capabilities. But the biggest question among Jeep motorheads is that do all Jeeps have 4 wheel drive? There has been a lot of confusion about this query, but this article will clear everything about this topic.
The fact is, the Jeep as a whole offers plenty of options when it comes to the drivetrain. There is the 2-wheel drive which is perfect for daily driving, and the 4-wheel drive, which is a complete package and works best off the road. But to answer if all Jeep models come with 4-wheel drive will be discussed clearly as we go along in this article.
Are all Jeeps 4-wheel Drive?
To specifically answer the question, not all Jeep models are available in 4-wheel drive or 4WD. Most of the Jeep Wrangler models and Jeep Grand Cherokee only come in 4WD, while the other models come in 2-wheel drive (2WD) options. There are also other models the offer in 2WD but also offers in 4WD option.
Jeep Models with 4-Wheel Drive
The Jeep models that come in 4WD mean they don’t have 2Wd capabilities. These models include the Jeep Grand Cherokee, Jeep Wrangler, and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. These four models come with the 4WD features that Jeep Wrangler is known for, but these models also do not come with other drivetrain systems.
With the 4WD features, the Jeep Wrangler is one of the best in terms of off-road capabilities and is one of the top compared to other off-road vehicles. The 4WD features help the vehicle in navigating challenging terrain and maximizing the off-road experience. Also, please note that the 4WD option in the models mentioned is always on, so there is no need to turn it on or look for the manual to find out how to activate it.
Jeep Models Without 4-Wheel Drive
The Jeep Compass, Jeep Patriot, Jeep Renegade, and Jeep Cherokee are excellent Jeep models but do not have 4WD options. If you are looking for a Jeep model but do not mind having the 4WD option, these four models are an excellent option. Instead, these vehicles are equipped with 2WD capability where the drive system only delivers power to two of the wheels.
The upside of using 2WD is that you can use it in daily driving, camping, and other outdoor activities. These vehicles usually provide excellent traction on normal roads. But beware of using these vehicles in off-road activities because once you will be stuck in the mud, your vehicle will probably need to be towed out away from the terrain. Physically, these vehicles may look the same as the other Jeep models with off-road capabilities but without the 4WD feature.
The Jeep History: What are the Drivetain Options
If we try to go down memory lane, the Willy’s-Overland, which is one of the Jeep manufacturers, created a civilian Jeep in 1944, which is known as the CJ. This vehicle was built with a 2WD system but with a part-time 4WD system. The Willys Wagon, which became popular in 1946, was built with a 2WD system but three years later was also offering a 4WD option.
Meanwhile, the J-series, which was popular during the mid-1960s to early 1970s, comes with the 2WD system but with a 4WD option. This vehicle was also the inspiration of the newly reconfigured 2020 Jeep Gladiator, which was only available in the 4WD system. Also, another variation of the Wagon was introduced in 1985, the Cherokee, which is available in the 2WD system.
In addition, the Cherokee’s Overland, Limited, Sport, and Latitude all come with a 2WD system but with a 4WD option. However, the Trailhawk was only built with the 4WD system in its drivetrain. On the other hand, the Jeep Grand Cherokee trim models, including the Limited, Summit, and Laredo, all come with a 2WD system but comes with a 4WD option.
Also, the Jeep Patriot comes with the standard 2WD but with a 4WD option, while the Jeep Renegade’s Latitude, Sport, and Limited come in a 2WD drivetrain. The Trailhawk of the Jeep Renegade was equipped with a 4WD feature. The Jeep Compass also comes with a 2WD drivetrain but with a 4WD option.
How to Put Jeep in 4 Wheel Drive?
If you are using a 4WD-equipped Jeep vehicle, please note that it comes with a transfer case with four positions to let you take full advantage of the many off-road capabilities it offers. The four positions include the 2H or 2-Wheel Drive High Range, 4H or 4-Wheel Drive High Range, N or Neutral, and 4L or 4-Wheel Drive Low Range.
Always remember that for normal street highway driving and hard surface roads, always use the 2H position. When it comes to the 4H and 4L modes, if you need extra traction for off-road driving and loose, slippery surfaces like snow or sand, you can shift between 2H and 4H with the vehicle stop. Or, if you are in motion, the transfer case will engage or disengage faster if you momentarily let up on the accelerator panel after completing the shift. You will need to apply a constant force while shifting the transfer case lever.
You can only shift between 4H and 4L while slowly rolling at 2 to 3 miles per hour or 3 to 5 kilometers per hour. Shift the automatic or manual transmission into neutral while rolling. Or, for a manual, simply press the clutch pedal. Then, shift the transfer case lever firmly into the desired position. Now, you can proceed to shift back into drive. You may hear some noise momentarily during the shift from 4H to 4L. However, because 4L is geared towards maximum torque and pulling power, you should never exceed 25 miles per hour or 40 kilometers per hour with the transfer case in this position.
Conclusion
Do all Jeeps have 4 wheel drive? The answer to this question is no. There are few models of Jeep that are equipped with 4WD features, and all of these vehicles are perfect for off-road driving. Meanwhile, the other vehicles are offering a 2WD system but with the option of a 4WD system.