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This section covers three Jeeps built two different ways. The Wrangler and Gladiator share a ladder frame, solid axles front and rear and the same family of transfer cases, all built in Toledo, Ohio. The Grand Cherokee is a unibody SUV with independent suspension at both ends. Each model guide covers its 4WD hardware by trim, known problems and NHTSA recalls, mod priorities and fitment.
At a Glance
| Model | Current generation | Construction | Most trail-ready factory setup |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wrangler (JL) | Introduced fall 2017 as a 2018 model | Ladder frame, solid front and rear axles | Rubicon: Rock-Trac 4.0:1 low range, front and rear lockers, sway-bar disconnect |
| Gladiator (JT) | 2020 model year | Ladder frame, solid axles, 60.3-inch bed | Rubicon: same Rock-Trac hardware; Mojave for desert running |
| Grand Cherokee | Fifth generation, 2022 model year | Unibody, independent front and rear | Quadra-Drive II with rear electronic limited-slip; Trailhawk added a sway-bar disconnect |
Jeep's Transfer Cases, Decoded
| System | Type | Low range | Where you find it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Command-Trac (NV241) | Part-time | 2.72:1 | Wrangler Sport and Sahara; Gladiator Sport, Willys, Mojave |
| Rock-Trac (NV241OR) | Part-time; full-time version available | 4.0:1 | Wrangler and Gladiator Rubicon |
| Selec-Trac (MP3022) | Full-time | 2.72:1 | Wrangler Moab 392; optional on Gladiator Mojave |
| Quadra-Trac I | Active transfer case | Not listed | Grand Cherokee |
| Quadra-Trac II | Active, two-speed | 2.72:1 | Grand Cherokee |
| Quadra-Drive II | Quadra-Trac II plus rear electronic limited-slip | 2.72:1 | Grand Cherokee |
A part-time case has no center differential: in 4H or 4L it locks the front and rear driveshafts together. Jeep says to use it only on wet, loose or slippery surfaces, because on dry pavement the front and rear wheels can't turn at different speeds in a corner, which causes binding (a bang, shudder or tire scuffing) and can damage the driveline. A full-time system uses a clutch or center differential to let the axles turn at different speeds, so it can stay engaged on any surface. Jeep also says its locking differentials are not for dry, paved roads.
Crawl ratio, the overall gearing in low range and first gear, is where the Rock-Trac case matters. On a 2026 Gladiator with the eight-speed automatic (4.71:1 first gear), a Command-Trac Sport with 3.73 axles works out to 4.71 × 2.72 × 3.73 = 47.8:1, while a Rubicon with 4.10 axles reaches 4.71 × 4.0 × 4.10 = 77.2:1.
What Rubicon Adds
On the 2026 Wrangler and Gladiator, only the Rubicon has Tru-Lok electronic lockers in both axles and the electronic front sway-bar disconnect. The Gladiator Willys and Mojave lock the rear axle only, and Jeep lists open differentials for the Wrangler Sport and Sahara. The Rubicon Wrangler also gets a full-floating Dana 44 HD rear axle. The Grand Cherokee has no Rubicon; its off-road hardware is Quadra-Drive II's rear electronic limited-slip differential, and Jeep's 2022 launch material listed a sway-bar disconnect, 11.3 inches of ground clearance and 24 inches of water fording for the Trailhawk.
Current Powertrains
- Wrangler (2026): 2.0L turbo four, 270 hp and 295 lb-ft, eight-speed automatic; 3.6L V6, 285 hp and 260 lb-ft, six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic; Moab 392 with a 6.4L V8, 470 hp and 470 lb-ft, 35-inch tires and 4.56 axles.
- Gladiator (2026): 3.6L V6 with the eight-speed automatic only; up to 7,700 lb towing and 1,720 lb payload.
- Grand Cherokee (2026): new 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo, 324 hp and 332 lb-ft, rated to tow 6,200 lb, in Laredo, Limited and Summit trims.
Recent Recalls Across the Lineup
| NHTSA campaign | Models and years | Problem | Units |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26V363 | 2021–2025 Wrangler, Wrangler 4xe, Gladiator | Power-steering pump wiring can overheat and start a fire, even when parked; park outside until repaired | 1,076,999 |
| 26V531 | 2026 Wrangler, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee and other Stellantis models | Rearview camera image may not display | 844,027 |
| 26V328 | 2022–2026 Grand Cherokee, 2023–2025 Grand Cherokee L | Occupant restraint controller software can delay air bag deployment | 419,035 |
| 24V132 | 2022–2023 Grand Cherokee, 2021–2023 Grand Cherokee L | Upper control arm ball joint can separate from the knuckle | 338,238 |
| 25V741 | 2020–2025 Wrangler 4xe, 2022–2026 Grand Cherokee 4xe | High-voltage battery can fail internally and catch fire | 320,068 |
| 18V675 | 2018–2019 Wrangler | Front track-bar bracket welds can fail, reducing steering control | 18,055 |
Unit counts are campaign totals as of September 2026. Each model guide lists its own campaigns by year, and NHTSA's VIN lookup confirms whether a specific vehicle has an open recall.
Accessories
Category-level Jeep accessory buying is covered on the Jeep accessory fitment hub. The Wrangler's mod-priority guide is at /owners/jeep/wrangler/mods.
Toyota, Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Jeep and Ram are trademarks of their respective owners. 4x4 & Overlanding is an independent publication and is not affiliated with, sponsored or endorsed by any vehicle manufacturer.
Sources
- Stellantis Media — 2026 Jeep Wrangler Specifications — Wrangler introduced fall 2017 as a 2018 model; Toledo assembly and ladder frame; Command-Trac, Rock-Trac (part-time and full-time) and Selec-Trac cases with low-range ratios and trims; Tru-Lok lockers and electronic sway-bar disconnect on Rubicon; open differentials on Sport and Sahara; Dana 44 HD full-float rear on Rubicon.
- Stellantis Media — What's New for 2026: Jeep Wrangler — 2026 Wrangler engines and transmissions (2.0L turbo, 3.6L V6 with manual or automatic, 6.4L V8 Moab 392 with 35-inch tires, 4.56 axles and Selec-Trac).
- Stellantis Media — 2026 Jeep Gladiator Specifications — Gladiator transfer cases and lockers by trim, 4.71:1 first gear and axle ratios used in the crawl-ratio examples, 60.3-inch bed, Toledo assembly.
- Stellantis Media — Press Kit: 2026 Jeep Gladiator — 2026 Gladiator V6 with eight-speed automatic only, 7,700 lb towing, 1,720 lb payload.
- Stellantis Media — All-new 2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee — Fifth-generation Grand Cherokee for 2022; unibody with independent front and rear suspension; Quadra-Trac I, Quadra-Trac II (two-speed, 2.72:1 low) and Quadra-Drive II (adds rear eLSD); Trailhawk sway-bar disconnect, 11.3 in ground clearance and 24 in water fording.
- Stellantis Media — 2026 Jeep Grand Cherokee Delivers Hurricane 4 Turbo — 2026 Grand Cherokee 2.0L Hurricane 4 Turbo (324 hp, 332 lb-ft), 6,200 lb towing, Laredo/Limited/Summit trim lineup.
- Jeep — 4x4 FAQ & Glossary — Part-time 4WD has no center differential and should not be used on dry pavement (binding, crow hop); full-time 4WD and AWD definitions; crawl ratio definition; locking differentials not for dry, paved roads.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V363 — 2021–2025 Wrangler, Wrangler 4xe and Gladiator power-steering pump wiring fire risk, park-outside advisory, 1,076,999 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V531 — 2026 Wrangler, Gladiator, Grand Cherokee and other Stellantis models rearview camera image failure, 844,027 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 26V328 — 2022–2026 Grand Cherokee and 2023–2025 Grand Cherokee L occupant restraint controller software delaying air bag deployment, 419,035 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 24V132 — 2022–2023 Grand Cherokee and 2021–2023 Grand Cherokee L upper control arm ball joint separation, 338,238 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 25V741 — 2020–2025 Wrangler 4xe and 2022–2026 Grand Cherokee 4xe high-voltage battery fire risk, 320,068 units.
- NHTSA — Recall 18V675 — 2018–2019 Wrangler front track-bar bracket welds, 18,055 units.
- NHTSA — Recalls lookup by VIN — VIN lookup for open recall campaigns on a specific vehicle.