Blazing Trails: The Best Off-Road Features of the Jeep Wrangler JL

When shopping for a used Jeep Wrangler for sale near Cincinnati, you might find Wranglers with two- or three-letter acronyms attached to their name. If you see one labeled “JL,” that means you’re looking at a Jeep Wrangler from the fourth—and current—generation, which started in the 2018 model year.

Buyers love the Wrangler JL for its practicality and spatial abundance for passengers and cargo alike. However, the primary reason that many consumers choose the Wrangler JL is its immense off-roading capabilities. It is difficult to find another vehicle that can handle rugged terrain as well as the Wrangler. What’s more, on paved roadways, the Wrangler JL is as well-mannered as your standard crossover SUV.

A well-tended pre-owned Wrangler JL has many years left in it for further trailblazing. Which features will you use the most when off-roading? Well, that depends, but here are the Jeep Wrangler JL off-roading features we believe you’ll get the most joy out of.

The Xtreme Recon Package

Jeep introduced the Xtreme Recon Package for the 2022 model year and it immediately proved to be a hit with buyers. This package enhances the Wrangler’s off-roading abilities by adding a 1.5-inch suspension lift, which accommodates the large 35-inch tires. The shocks were re-tuned since the wheels have to haul more rubber around; what’s more, the LT315/70R17 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tires are heavy-duty and come mounted onto 17×8-inch beadlock-capable wheels.

With its 12.9 inches of ground clearance, the departure (40.4 degrees), approach (47.4 degrees), and breakover (26.7 degrees) angles all changed. Note, too, that its water-fording clearance was boosted to 33.6 inches.

You can find this package on the Willys, Rubicon Unlimited 3.6L automatic with eTorque, and the Rubicon 392 trims. This entire package is factory-installed, ensuring that you get the utmost cohesion. Serious off-roaders will find that they get a lot of value from having it equipped on their Wranglers.

A Best-in-Class Crawl Ratio

If you want a best-in-class crawl ratio, the Wrangler Rubicon serves up an impressive 100:1. You get this from the Rubicon’s 4.88:1 axle ratio and manual transmission, which comes standard.

When you outfit the Wrangler with huge aftermarket tires, you will need the 4.88:1 axle ratio to deliver ample torque for conquering rough terrain. A significant crawl ratio beefs up engine torque and keeps the engine revving high while you’re slowly crawling along.

Ample Traction

Traction is something you get in spades from the Wrangler JL models. Multiple engine options are available that can muster up plenty of power, directed to all four wheels as needed.

When you take this vehicle into 4×4 High, the transfer case evenly divides the torque sent to the front and rear axles. The result is exponentially more traction than what other automobiles deliver. On top of that, the traction control system provides plenty of friction to keep the Wrangler firmly planted while driving across slick road surfaces. Treacherous Midwest winters do not stand a chance against the Wrangler JL!

A Suspension Tuned for Off-Roading

Jeep tuned the Wrangler’s suspension for off-roading, so it is ready to veer off the pavement at a moment’s notice. The Wrangler maneuvers easily along narrow, winding pathways and over obstacles like rocks and branches. Along with the performance-oriented wheelbases and pin-point precision steering, the Wrangler has a suspension that can handle significant challenges.

This suspension—not to mention the axles—provides ample traction when you need to get over difficult off-road terrain. The wheels are kept firmly grounded so that the Jeep Wrangler does not feel unstable as it handles obstacles underneath.

Easy Water-Fording With the High Air Intake

The Wrangler JL models have an air intake positioned high on the front fascia, which optimizes the vehicle’s water-fording capabilities. The Wrangler’s body openings are carefully configured to resist moisture from seeping in, and all of the important electrical components under the hood are sealed off to keep them from shorting out.

Just how much water can the Wrangler JL models traverse? It can manage up to 33.5 inches of water—nearly three feet! If you need to cross a creek or shallow river, the Wrangler can handle it with ease. You won’t have to worry about water damaging the vehicle’s inner components, either, which gives you peace of mind when you go off-roading.

Five Capable Engine Options

The Wrangler JL comes with five engine options—each one considerably strong and capable. The 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine serves up a maximum power output of 285 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is paired with this engine, delivering ample power to all four wheels. There is an eTorque variant of this engine that comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission; it is a mild hybrid union that boosts rock climbing and power with more low-end torque. The maximum towing capacity on either is 3,500 lbs.

The 2.0L Turbo engine delivers more crawling power with up to 295 lb-ft of torque on tap, and its grit only drops to 270 hp. This engine also pairs with an eight-speed automatic transmission and can tow up to 3,500 lbs. If you’re thinking of switching to something more efficient, the 4xe powertrain is a plug-in hybrid with plenty of power. With up to 375 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, the 4xe has no problem handling rugged terrain.

Stepping it up to the 6.4L HEMI V8 option of the Rubicon 392 trim gives the Wrangler JL a snappier acceleration, with a zero to sixty time of 4.5 seconds. This beefy fellow brings 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque on tap. Finally, there is a diesel engine available in the 3.0L EcoDiesel Turbo-Diesel V6, giving you 260 hp and a savory 442 lb-ft of torque, which—when you are off-roading—is all the low-end torque you need.

Three 4×4 System Choices

The Jeep Wrangler JL comes with three options for its 4×4 system: Command-Trac, Selec-Trac, and Rock-Trac. While each one makes for great off-roading, it helps to know the differences between them.

Command-Trac

Command-Trac is a part-time 4×4 system that maximizes traction by directing torque to all four wheels. Rock crawling is made simple by the 2.72:1 low range. Also, when properly equipped, the Wrangler is able to perform flat-bed towing in neutral.

Selec-Trac

Selec-Trac is a full-time 4×4 system that stays in two-wheel drive while traversing your typical clear roadways. It switches over to four-wheel drive on slick surfaces when you need that extra bit of continuous traction.

Rock-Trac

Rock-Trac is the standard issue on the Rubicon trim, and it is optimized for off-roading. The 4:1 low-gear ratio makes slow-speed crawling easy since it delivers more torque to the wheels, as each wheel requests it.

Powerful & Playful: Why Buyers Love the Jeep Wrangler JL

The Jeep Wrangler JL is packed with power and lets you enjoy romping off the beaten path. The JL generation is also better with on-the-road manners, thus making it a dependable daily commuter. Whatever you end up using it for, a used Jeep Wrangler JL makes for a good time—and with so many different variations available, you are sure to find a slightly used Wrangler JL that caters to your unique needs.

Should you be on the prowl, come by Zimmer Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and see if we have the Wrangler JL you have your eyes on among our inventory.