Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Off-Road Ability

The Gladiator Rubicon is the only Gladiator model to come with Rock-Trac 4x4, which is carefully crafted to provide other-worldly off-road capability. Rock-Trac is a part-time 4x4 system offering two-wheel drive (2WD), 4-High, and 4-Low. Both of the 4WD modes drive all four wheels with slight variations. 2WD should be used under normal driving conditions, including smooth, dry pavement and packed dirt. Meanwhile, when driving on loose sand, snow, heavy rain, or shallow mud, 4-High should be chosen to maximize traction. Finally, 4-Low mode is designed for low-speed off-road crawling. When the Rock-Trac transfer case is shifted into 4-Low mode, it provides a gear ratio of 4:1, meaning that for every four turns of the transmission output shaft, the transfer case output shaft turns once, whereas 4-High provides a 1:1 gear ratio. The result of a 4:1 gear ratio is an increase in torque while traveling at a lower speed. Ask any off-roader, and you'll understand that torque is the name of the game when it comes to carrying momentum over jagged terrain. 

The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon comes standard with a wide range of equipment to take the Gladiator's off-road capability to new heights, often literally. It begins with the exclusive shock absorbers. For their Rubicon models, Jeep partnered with FOX, a leader in off-roading suspension components. The FOX 2.0 shock absorbers are designed with aluminum instead of steel for greater heat dissipation. Plus, with external fluid reservoirs, the shocks provide greater suspension travel to crawl over rugged terrain. Aiding in its crawling abilities, the Rubicon features an electronic sway bar disconnect. This increases front wheel articulation – the wheel's ability to rise and drop – to stay in contact with the terrain to maintain traction. Speaking of traction, the Rubicon sports knobby 33-inch Goodyear Wrangler DuraTrac all-terrain tires with deep tread and an aggressive tread pattern for optimal off-road traction. The shock absorbers, coupled with the massive tires, afford the Gladiator Rubicon with a towering 11.1 inches of ground clearance. Other standard equipment includes Dana 44 solid front and rear axles, locking front and rear differentials, rock rails, and more.

There are a wide range of other features for the Rubicon that further enhance its off-road performance. One of these is the Off-Road+ button. This button can be engaged in both 4-High and 4-Low transfer case gearings with slight differences in how it functions depending on the gearing. With Off-Road+ turned on in 4-High, you'll get a more responsive throttle and improvements in how the truck performs while driving over softer terrain. It also provides a more tuned traction control setting to allow extra wheel slip in sandy conditions and ensure the vehicle doesn't lose momentum or get bogged down. It also holds engine gears longer for higher RPMs before shifting, providing continuous power while taking on deep mud or a steep sand dune. Finally, it also modifies the electronic stability control feature, making it less intrusive and not allowing it to impede the truck's movement so much, helping it overcome a loss of traction in sand or mud. Conversely, when you use the Off-Road+ button in 4-Low mode, it provides a more controlled throttle response, providing precise power, which is essential while rock crawling. This mode also helps take on rocky terrain by temporarily cutting power or applying additional brake pressure to specific wheels depending on which wheels are excessively spinning, maintaining maximum traction. Meanwhile, the transmission will keep consistent power delivery and prevent unnecessary upshifting while overcoming challenging terrain. Finally, the Off-Road+ feature will engage the rear locking differential, keeping both rear wheels spinning at the same rate to provide maximum traction when overcoming challenging terrain.

The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon wears the legendary name well and has far superior off-roading abilities. If you're looking for a pickup that can take you far beyond where any other would dare go, check out the Gladiator Rubicon inventory here at Star Dodge Chrysler Jeep Ram! Head over to our new inventory page to view our current Gladiator inventory, which includes Rubicon models. If you have any questions regarding the Gladiator Rubicon, our inventory, or would like to schedule a test drive, use the contact form below this page to reach our sales team. We hope to hear from you soon!