I'm enjoying my new '24 Gladiator Sport in Anvil Clearcoat. I've had a number of Jeeps over the years, the most recent being the '12 JKU I sold before this one (also YJs, ZJs, XJs, WJs, even a Commander). I like the updates, particularly the drivetrain, but handling and daily drivability are improved too. The coolest thing about it is that it feels like a modern anachronism you can still buy new. I'm looking forward to taking it camping with the family and possibly hitting some basic trails in my area.
That said, I wanted to get your opinion with a technical issue I had the other week. I've posted in a couple other places and feel like I'm being gaslit about whether this is a big deal or not in terms of damage done. For all of the Jeeps I've owned, I've never bought one new until now, but I've also never experienced anything like this before.
I was driving to work in some fresh icy slush and snow and took advantage of the chance to use 4WD for the first time on this Jeep. I shifted into 4WD high for awhile, then decided to shift back into 2WD high when the roads improved a little. I'd estimate I was going around 30-35 mph at the time, and the 4WD indicator turned off as it should, no flashing or anything unusual. I let off the accelerator for that shift, then applied the accelerator again. It made a terrible rattling, whirring, and buzzing noise, so I got off the accelerator, continued coasting, ensured the shifter was in 2WD high, and applied the accelerator again, and the noise subsided. I made one more successful shift into 4WD high and back into 2WD high without incident by the time I reached work. I've owned Jeeps for years and made sure to follow the procedure in the owner's manual.
I decided to share what happened with the service manager at the purchasing dealership. He got back to me with this by text:
"The axle disconnect was not fully shifting. While that can be a concern, it's not uncommon both on these and the Fords. Most often, the one-offs as I call them, may be very challenging to duplicate. We could look at it but doubtful a hard trouble code will emerge. Your call...Thanks for reaching out!"
This does seem to match other people's experiences with Gladiators and the FAD, but in a different situation. I replied and asked if he'd recommend changing the transfer case fluid and front differential fluid. He said they certainly could. Since I didn't have time to remove the front diff cover, I inspected the fluid and fill plug magnets the next day (my Gladiator isn't lifted, so I'd have to remove the front track bar). The oil and fill plug magnet looked fine, so I opted to top off the fluid the next day. I was able to add about 8 ounces to the front axle, about 10 to the rear, and another 4 oz to the transfer case.
Afterwards, I took the Jeep for a drive, about 25 miles, and for part of it, I went down a gravel road. I did notice that shifting into 4HI and 2HI got progressively easier and I never did experience additional issues or noises with the drivetrain. I know I must sound like I'm hyper fixating and overanalyzing this, but I can't seem to stop thinking about it. I'm confident I wasn't exceeding 45 MPH while doing the shift and had the transfer case shift lever fully seated in 2HI. It's possible the traction control had possibly engaged, but I don't recall that light on the dash, and it's possible I missed it.
I'm curious if there's wear material from where the FAD and intermediate shaft meets the outer passenger side shaft. All of this is a question mark without tearing into things, which I'd prefer not to do. Anyway, I'm sure I'm worrying too much, but I'm just a guy who loves his Jeep, wants to keep it a long time, and keep it in nice shape.
