Is kj the best winter vehicle?

so now that its January im looking at all the winter vehicles people drive here in the northeast. It seems to me like the kj is the best no compromise vehicle, with select trac is has 4hi full time, 4hi part time, and 4lo. subarus are good but only awd. Quadri drive ii or whatever its called is ok but people say selec trac is better. Wrangler is good, but no 4hi full time. Is there vehicles better than the kj or as good? Maybe im missing something, but it looks like im going to have to keep my liberty on the road for a long time

How is the heater output and defrosting for the side windows in climates of (-ve) 20 F and colder?

kage860 said:

so now that its January im looking at all the winter vehicles people drive here in the northeast. It seems to me like the kj is the best no compromise vehicle, with select trac is has 4hi full time, 4hi part time, and 4lo. subarus are good but only awd. Quadri drive ii or whatever its called is ok but people say selec trac is better. Wrangler is good, but no 4hi full time. Is there vehicles better than the kj or as good? Maybe im missing something, but it looks like im going to have to keep my liberty on the road for a long time

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Wow, that's an interesting question. I think you'll get many replies in favor of the KJ on a KJ site but I'm sure in a more general audience opinions would vary a great deal.

Ironically, I also have a 2001 Outback so I can contribute somewhat to your question. My 02 KJ (Select Trac) and Outback are both well equipped for winter although the Subaru was originally purchased in Upstate NY (Owego) and has the complete winter package with heated seats (KJ does too), mirrors and the wiper heater in the windshield. I've plowed through some pretty bad weather with it, and I'd take it through anything up to about 6 inches of snow. The AWD is really good and worry free but it is a relatively light vehicle. Gas mileage is not very good but winter capability is excellent. That said I'd still rather have the height, weight and structure of my KJ. I feel it is a more solid well built vehicle and the weight definitely gives better bite. Of course most of that will depend upon your tire selection too. I've been through some pretty bad winter storms with it and never got stuck. I do like the FT feature but I think the command trac would be equally capable since you'll use the PT if the weather is really that bad anyway. I've plowed through much deeper snow >12" with it as it has much better ground clearance even though not lifted (yet). BTW my 98 ranger 4X4 ***** in the snow.

I just have to add that most of this really depends upon the driver as much as the vehicle. I grew up in NE PA, and drove some really crappy RWD vehicles up and down the hills there. One of the best moderate snow vehicles I ever drove was a 1977 Pinto. Skinny tires, 90hp, 4speed manual and a set of studded snow tires and that thing would go anywhere as long as the mess wasn't too deep. The small footprint seemed to concentrated the mass and the lack of power prevented me from spinning the tires even though it was really light in the ass end. I even took this thing up some logging trails for hunting and remember passing 4X4 pickups stuck along the way. You could fit a nice size deer in the trunk too. Sounds crazy but it's the truth.

Ocelot said:

How is the heater output and defrosting for the side windows in climates of (-ve) 20 F and colder?

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We do hit the teens and sometimes single digits here in northern MD. The heat in my KJ is about the best I've had in any of my vehicles, and I've had many vehicles. Heck I've got 5 right now. I am always amazed at how quickly it puts out heat and never have trouble with the side windows.

Okay enough from me, let's hear from some others. Just thought the Subaru comparison was interesting so thought I should put in my two cents. :gr_grin:

I actually was a previous subaru owner as well and my family has had them for 25 years now. Never had a problem and never got stuck but if it was taller stuff you didn't chance it. With my KJ it doesn't matter the conditions out I can get where I need to go! I have command trac and once I throw it into part time it turns into a whole different beast. I changed mostly because I got sick of looking at everyone else's tires from my window. Now I look down at them!

You use 4wd in winter?




Going on 4 winters now with my KJ being SFA'd and besides a few times to play(snow bashing) I can't be bothered to get out and lock the hubs in.If I really need extra traction I just reach over and flip 2 switches and engage the rear ARB.

I would not say the best winter vehicle but my Renegade has never done me wrong and always taken me through anything without issue, I have Selec-Trac and prefer it, I don't engage 4HI unless its needed though, I did countless winters with a 2WD 3/4 Ton without issue too, Ive seen lost of people in 4WD/AWD's sitting in ditches or stuck, I think it comes down to the driver, I drove a 2WD better than lots with 4WD's lol.

CalcityRenegade said:

I would not say the best winter vehicle but my Renegade has never done me wrong and always taken me through anything without issue, I have Selec-Trac and prefer it, I don't engage 4HI unless its needed though, I did countless winters with a 2WD 3/4 Ton without issue too, Ive seen lost of people in 4WD/AWD's sitting in ditches or stuck, I think it comes down to the driver, I drove a 2WD better than lots with 4WD's lol.

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Amen to that, just last night me and the wife went in her ford focus to a dinner with the family, got passed on the right ( illegal here ) by a subary impreza which was in the ditch 2 street light later. To make it more fun it was just pass a used subaru dealership XD.
I also really rarely use my 4WD maybe 2-3 time per winter if you don't count the time I engage it only to make sure it work properly.
On topic now, the KJ is awesome for winter and remain a very capable truck even in hard condition, for the price and the repair cost, it might be in the list for the best winter vehicle, but still have to say, most driver can't handle RWD and will crash soon enough, many can't handle 4X4 and will crash, you have to be a FWD with system driving for you in order to prevent SOME crash because most driver don't understand their car and think that AWD will save them.

KJ is a very good winter vehicle. It mainly comes down to the driver and tires. I had a Focus hatchback previously. With snow tires I was golden until it got above 5 inches. I've only engaged 4WD in the KJ when I wanted to play in some unplowed deep stuff. If it's an unplowed parking lot it stays in 2WD.:gr_grin: The heater is the best one I've had in a vehicle.

tjkj2002 said:

You use 4wd in winter?

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Actually I do use full time often in the winter. Don't think I really need it but what the heck. We do have a lot of hills around my house and we aren't on the priority list for plowing. They don't plow very well around here anyway, as other Marylanders on here can probably verify. Can't remember the last time I actually used the part time because I needed to. Maybe some Nor'easter a few years back. Use it occasionally just to make sure it still works and occasional playtime. Had some issues engaging and disengaging recently because I hadn't used even the FT in months.

tjkj2002 said:

Going on 4 winters now with my KJ being SFA'd and besides a few times to play(snow bashing) I can't be bothered to get out and lock the hubs in.If I really need extra traction I just reach over and flip 2 switches and engage the rear ARB.

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Alright now I'm jealous. :happy175:

ltd02 said:

Actually I do use full time often in the winter. Don't think I really need it but what the heck. We do have a lot of hills around my house and we aren't on the priority list for plowing. They don't plow very well around here anyway, as other Marylanders on here can probably verify. Can't remember the last time I actually used the part time because I needed to. Maybe some Nor'easter a few years back. Use it occasionally just to make sure it still works and occasional playtime. Had some issues engaging and disengaging recently because I hadn't used even the FT in months.

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Yeah it's not exactly flat here in Colorado(front range)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




Is it sad that I drive my Town Car now when the weathers bad instead of the KJ? Don't get me wrong the KJ is more then needed for any weather condition but I get the urge to do 1/2 mile long drifts in the KJ when there is snow/ice on the roads,the traction control in the Town Car makes me drive somewhat normal.Have a perfect stretch of road going to work,coming off a 90 degree sweeping left turn going up hill for 1/2-3/4 of mile to the stop light,take it easy through that turn and hammer on it at the close to the exit(of turn) and **** that wheel and don't let up till the stop light.

tjkj2002 said:

Yeah it's not exactly flat here in Colorado(front range)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Those are some mountains out there, not the scrawny little hills like around here. :ROFLJest:

Nothing like driving a RWD hard out of a corner with or without snow. I usually drive like an old man but when there's no traffic, visibility is good and I know I won't cause myself or anyone else any harm, I like to get on it. Of course, "A man's got to know his limitations".

Many recent years of driving boring FWD vehicles has made me appreciate this feature. Don't get me wrong, FWD is usually really good for handling and traction with the engine sitting over the drive wheels but RWD is more fun to me.

Our winters are very cold but not much snow, so can't comment much on that yet since it's my first winter with it. But I do know the heater kicks butt!!! I was driving around this morning in 12-15 degree weather and had to turn off the heated seats and ended up putting the temp control just slightly into the red with the fan on low. It was bright sunshine out which helped with sun coming through the windows and sunroof glass.

I know 4x4 KJ's are awesome in the snow, as long as you have good tires!
In BC/mountains you cant travel highways unless the tires are M&S or Snowflake rated. Chains also are a good idea, for that return trip, where it suddenly decides to drop 2 feet on ya.
One of my winter 4x4 complaints would be fuel consumption / range in the mountains.
The need for extra fuel cans depending on the trip, may definitely apply.

You would never think this would be a problem in winter here..but..
Keep a good eye out for critter crossings! :icon_lol:
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They still like to jump across the highway!! :hunter:
Anyways, I have done a few nice winter trips and enjoyed the fresh mountain air at -35C
The jeep's heater is very good, and so is having coffee with you! :Caffeine:
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The winter gear I also carry does not help fuel economy.
However, I got warm stuff/sleeping bag food clothes and a few 4o lb'ers. arty52:

I just got my JK and while ive no had snow yet ive played in the pasture and on the hill with the 4x4 and its seems very capable. Excited to see what my 4x4 can do when the white stuff falls. I will say thought that my wife's highlander is a pretty sweet snow vehicle in its own regard. Those SUV's when auto traction control type technology are the cats meow if you never plan on going off road. I don't think we spun a tire last year at all and I know her highland climbed my mother n laws hill without so much as slipping a bit by my big 4x4 tundra was all over the place.

I don't want to hijack but would like someone to elaborate more on the 4x4 systems in our jeeps. Im not sure understand mine. I currently have a liberty and the 4x4 selector says 2wd, 4wd hi, N 4wd lo as I recall but when I pull it straight back in to the 4x4 hi position my dash has a light that comes on and says "part time" Im used to see a Hi or Lo icon on my trucks. What is this part time stuff and which transmission do I have? My 2004 grand Cherokee had a quadratrac as I recall and it just say parttime and full time on the selector. It would automatically engage the 4x4 when the rear wheels slipped. I know my liberty doesn't do that because we did some donuts in the gravel tonight and went down by the barn and had to engage the 4x4 to get back up to the house.

You have command Trac/Part Time= Use only on loose gravel/mud/snow surfaces or binding will apply. Your owners manual will explain it a bit as well.
Here is a good link that will help explain it it all and differences between Selec-trac too.
http://www.jeepkj.com/forum/f207/explanation-command-trac-select-trac-26712/

so its like my traditional 4x4 in my old truck then correct? it just says "part time" on dash but is 4hi?

chuckles said:

so its like my traditional 4x4 in my old truck then correct? it just says "part time" on dash but is 4hi?

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Correct. If you want it to feel more "modern" consider getting a LSD/locker setup.

ok... another confused look... What is that and what does it do? I know lockers "lock" the wheels (you can do front or rear versions) but in my world only the ********* off road guys need or buy those. How would I get a more "modern" feel with an LSD on my liberty?

chuckles said:

ok... another confused look... What is that and what does it do? I know lockers "lock" the wheels (you can do front or rear versions) but in my world only the ********* off road guys need or buy those. How would I get a more "modern" feel with an LSD on my liberty?

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Well currently you have open differentials. If one wheel spins (even in 4wd) you lose all power on the axle to that wheel. This goes for even on the road. A lsd kinda works like a awd system for that axle. If one tire slips it grabs and keeps power to both tires equal. It basically does what those fancy easily broken systems do but mechanically. Lockers are more for off road rock crawlers like tom and Troy haha

oh ok makes sense.... how much something like that cost and how hard to install? I really doubt ill ever need it but it sounds pretty awesome.