To me it depends on the type, thinkness, trail and kewlness factor. Usually crawl through it because of unknown thickness and trying NOT to get water in the intake.

 

I am ALWAYS 4 LO when off-roading. Mud or Rocks.

- Safer
- Better for the engine
- Better control of the wheels

 

Excellent responses guys...Thanks! The above quote though kind of worried me BIT...I'm totally new to off-road'n and I thought my new "X", with 3:21 ratio would really be enough to do some good off-roading? I mean, I'm not going rock crawling but at least some fun trails and such...Is 3:21 with a 6spd really not going to cut it? I'm in Texas so snow and ice aren't a concern to me and I wouldn't need 3:21 if it's only for highway and slippery conditions...Anyone chime in who has 3:21 tell me if I'll be good enough out there??

 

The higher gears (lower numerically) will give you less torque at the wheels and hence less traction. That will cause you to spin more readily. That'll affect your ability on more dificult trails.

The people that are talking about using 4 LO are probably talking about little mud puddles and not mud bogs which is typical of "going mudding". Years ago I lived in Minnesota and pretty much the only thing there is mud and deep water. Torque doesn't help that much in those bogs, because you're not likely to reach the bottom of the mud before you high center. What helps is paddling your way through the mud and keeping the belly above the mud with speed. The only way you can do that without specialized tires is for them to self clean. The only way for them to self clean is to spin them. The only way to safely spin them is to be in 4HI (high speed/high RPM is tough on the transfer case in 4 LO from what I've read).

I've done mudding with a few different vehicles including a TJ and a pickup, so the poster that said don't listen to the guy with a Rubicon is incorrect about that. As for the effects on the clutch I cannot comment, because I've always used automatics offroad.

 

Stay in 4Lo when playing. you'll be all good. And I have had the 3.21's with the 6 spd and 35's. 08 jk X 2dr is what I had. Stay out of high especially with the standard as you dont want your wheels to bog and stall you out in any real deep mud.

Also, remember that you can start the jeep without pushing in the clutch in 4LO.

Oh, and if you havn't done it yet..kill the friggin esp. Use the wheel method because it doesnt mess with your abs and such and just leave it off. The switch method is ok but it kills the abs as well.

 

Hey, don't get me wrong, I wheel all the time in my totally stock x with 3.21's. You can get through most things that the "big boys" go through. Just not in 4hi. And on tricky climbs on tricky hills, you will be wishing for more gear, but that has only happened to me on some pretty hairy trails, and you say no hard core stuff for you. Remember even the lowliest jeep on the little 31's can do more than most other vehicles that are way modded out.

 

Stock X with 3.21, 6 Speed.

I constantly find myself wishing for more gear. And if I am not wishing for that I am wishing for more rubber, which again makes me wish for more gear. It is a vicious cycle.

I find that the stock tires like to get packed with mud a turn into "slicks" if making a transition from mud to rocks with any type of incline...good luck.

 

x2 on that. Mud and water crossing I stop at the edge where I have some traction still and go down to 4LO. You still have momentum and the engine is a lot more efficient at keeping that momentum. It's always worked for me

 

cool videos!!!!

 

This is a good example why experience is important: This driver was off-roading too fast.