A newer Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Newvision08 wrote:
I'm new to dinghy towing but have 2014 wrangler auto and it looks simple to set up to tow but the manual says disconnect the negative battery terminal. Is that necessary or is there a way around that. I hooked up thee lights with the wire harness made for the jeep.

The manual is wrong. No need to disconnect battery as the key will remain off when under tow. The steering wheel does not lock on a '14.....

I'm new to dinghy towing but have 2014 wrangler auto and it looks simple to set up to tow but the manual says disconnect the negative battery terminal. Is that necessary or is there a way around that. I hooked up thee lights with the wire harness made for the jeep.

Put some things to rest in one post. The Active Drive II can be towed 4 down and IS a 4x4. Can't tow the AD-I. The Grand Cherokee Quadratrac AND Quadradrive are both towable 4 down. Transfer cases are the same, but the Quadradrive Jeep has limited slip axles. Basically it boils down to this; if the transfer case has 4lo (on a Jeep), it has to have a neutral in the T-Case. The T-Case in N and the tranny in park allows the pump to work.

As far as a Jeep Cherokee being a LOT light than a Grand.....well, Cherokee 4x4 is around 4100lbs, and a Grand Overland 4x4 around 4950lbs. Percentage-wise, about 23% heavier, but both are still 4-5K in weight. I tow a Wrangler JKUR that weighs about 4200lbs and my Overland GC is about 5000lbs...but the Overland is much nicer behind the MH and the MPGs are identical.

mowermech wrote:
Yes, it DOES say "9 speed automatic transmission WITH ACTIVE DRIVE II".
However, it does not say "9 speed Active Drive II automatic transmission.

Active Drive II is the Jeep term for the TRANSFER CASE, just like in the Grand Wagoneer of many years ago they had the Quadra Trac I and II. If it didn't have the hi-lo shift lever, there was no neutral and it was not towable.
Now, they have a new name; Active Drive II.
A lot of us care greatly about the difference between a transmission and a transfer case. Same thing with the difference between an inverter and a converter or an I-6 engine and a V-6 engine or an O-6 engine.
In our very technical world, terminology can mean the difference between life and death sometimes.
Yes, IMO accuracy IS important!
You might try calling your local Jeep dealer, ask for the drive train specialist, and ask him if the Active Drive II is the transmission or the transfer case.
Be sure to let us know what you find out.

I HARDLY think calling it a transmission OR a transfer case would be considered a matter of life and death. It is what it is and I don't really care one way or the other. I bought a Chevy instead of the Jeep cuz you get way more bang for your buck....:B:B.....Dennis

Yes, it DOES say "9 speed automatic transmission WITH ACTIVE DRIVE II".
However, it does not say "9 speed Active Drive II automatic transmission.

Active Drive II is the Jeep term for the TRANSFER CASE, just like in the Grand Wagoneer of many years ago they had the Quadra Trac I and II. If it didn't have the hi-lo shift lever, there was no neutral and it was not towable.
Now, they have a new name; Active Drive II.
A lot of us care greatly about the difference between a transmission and a transfer case. Same thing with the difference between an inverter and a converter or an I-6 engine and a V-6 engine or an O-6 engine.
In our very technical world, terminology can mean the difference between life and death sometimes.
Yes, IMO accuracy IS important!
You might try calling your local Jeep dealer, ask for the drive train specialist, and ask him if the Active Drive II is the transmission or the transfer case.
Be sure to let us know what you find out.

mowermech wrote:

Executive wrote:

Sully2 wrote:

Executive wrote:
Be sure to know what you're buying...not ALL Jeeps, even 4X4s, can be towed four down.....Dennis

I never heard or read that anywhere??:h

Read the owners manuals etc. The 2013/14s have to have the Active II transmission regardless of whether they're 4X4s before they can be towed 4 down.....Dennis

I don't think that is QUITE accurate!
The TRANSMISSION is not Active Drive II, the TRANSFER CASE is. In order to have a transfer case, the vehicle must be four wheel drive.
NO two wheel drive Jeep, any model, any transmission, is, AFAIK, towable four down without modification.
The first statement, however, is the absolute truth! One definitely SHOULD read the Owners Manual!

Tomatoe, tomato...potatoe, potato....who cares..:h...

If it doesn't have the little hole with the button in it, you can't tow it four down, no matter...and Jeep calls it a transmission...:B.....Dennis

9 Speed Transmission with Jeep Active Trac II - Click Powertrain

Executive wrote:

Sully2 wrote:

Executive wrote:
Be sure to know what you're buying...not ALL Jeeps, even 4X4s, can be towed four down.....Dennis

I never heard or read that anywhere??:h

Read the owners manuals etc. The 2013/14s have to have the Active II transmission regardless of whether they're 4X4s before they can be towed 4 down.....Dennis

I don't think that is QUITE accurate!
The TRANSMISSION is not Active Drive II, the TRANSFER CASE is. In order to have a transfer case, the vehicle must be four wheel drive.
NO two wheel drive Jeep, any model, any transmission, is, AFAIK, towable four down without modification.
The first statement, however, is the absolute truth! One definitely SHOULD read the Owners Manual!

Sully2 wrote:

Executive wrote:
Be sure to know what you're buying...not ALL Jeeps, even 4X4s, can be towed four down.....Dennis

I never heard or read that anywhere??:h

Read the owners manuals etc. The 2013/14s have to have the Active II transmission regardless of whether they're 4X4s before they can be towed 4 down.....Dennis

Sully2 wrote:

Executive wrote:
Be sure to know what you're buying...not ALL Jeeps, even 4X4s, can be towed four down.....Dennis

I never heard or read that anywhere??:h

But it's true. Jeep Grand Cherokee with Quadra Trac 1 cannot be towed four down. Needs to be Quadra Trac/Quadra Drive II.

2014+ Jeep Cherokee with Active Drive 1 cannot be towed four down. Needs to be Active Drive II.

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