Do you have to order the ORAII package to have the label as being 'trail-rated' or can I simply install skid plates and tow hooks on my non-ORAII Overland with 20'' rims and buy the badge? I had an '06 trail rated overland before and mine isn't trail-rated now. I swear it's more capable with QDII/QL and the selec-terrain system.
I was told back when I got the badge from Jeep for my ZJ that I was able to get the badge for free because all Jeeps that have a low range gear was "trail rated"
I guess Jeep changed it. Oh well, I got my badge..... I'm happy :lol:
For the Overland, the only things an off road package would add are the skid plates, tow hooks, and badge while also downgrading the wheels to 18" rims (the 20" ones are too vulnerable to dings).
I've added the skid plates and plan to add the hooks. I don't know if I'll be also getting a set of smaller rims; maybe if it ever starts looking likely that I'll be going way out into the boonies. I figure the plates and hooks will be enough for light trails; if I were going to do rock hopping, though, some better wheels would be a necessity.
No badge is needed.. though, to get the badge, you need to get one of the oRA packages.. and even then, it's the skid plates that gets the trail rated badges.
p.s. I like to not have swamp ass while on the trails.
In 2004 Jeep started using a special "Trail Rated" badge on certain Jeep vehicles to mark that that vehicle trail worthy according to Jeep's specifications. The vehicles holding a Trail Rated status are Wrangler, Liberty, and Grand Cherokee. Jeep has established a base line of qualities that dictates what makes a vehicle trail worthy.
Wrangler
Liberty
Grand Cherokee
Definition: Trail Rated signifies that the vehicles have passed off road testing by the Nevada Automotive Test Center (NATC) -- which evaluates vehicles for traction, ground clearance, off road articulation, maneuverability, and water fording.
Articulation
The articulation standard indicates that when one or more wheels are elevated, the Jeep® 4x4 system helps the others stay on the ground longer to keep you moving. Suspensions enhance off-road performance by maximizing flexibility, axle articulation, and wheel travel.
Maneuverability
Jeep 4x4s can maneuver over and around the dirtiest, most challenging trails with their combination of precision steering, visibility, and generous wheelbases.
Traction
Even straight from the dealership Jeep® Trail Rated® 4x4s have enough traction to climb the type of hills most people would only attempt with a rope and a spotter. Jeep vehicles offer a variety of 4x4 systems to suit all kinds of terrain and driving conditions.
See: Differentials Explained
Ground Clearance
Why prove that Jeep® 4x4s can climb over obscenely large obstacles? One day you'll need that capability, and you'll know you have it. Bring on the terrain.
Water Fording
If you find yourself face to face with a deep puddle, Jeep® 4x4s can help you get through it. Their ability to ford deep water is achieved with a sealed central venting system that protects drivetrain components from moisture.
In 2004 Jeep started using a special "Trail Rated" badge on certain Jeep vehicles to mark that that vehicle trail worthy according to Jeep's specifications. The vehicles holding a Trail Rated status are Wrangler, Liberty, and Grand Cherokee.
Hmmm, you can get the Compass with the trail rated badge.
*******
Water fording[1] (up to 19-inches) on the way to the cabin? Not a problem with a Trail Rated® Compass Latitude with available Freedom-Drive II™ Off-Road Group. Nothing matters more than authenticity, integrity, honesty and an ability to deliver.
*******
Trail Rated adds all the under body skid plates and 18" wheels, I dont need a badge to tell me mine is Trail Rated ill just add the skid plates just dont want the 18" rims.
trail rated adds all the under body skid plates and 18" wheels, i dont need a badge to tell me mine is trail rated ill just add the skid plates just dont want the 18" rims.
Mine is the hemi with the Quadratrac II system. Factory 18's and no skids. Still came with the badge. I think that low and 18's are are you need. I always debadged my jeeps and have a couple of badges on the door of my shelves if anybody wants one. One is stock and the other I blacked out the background.
Thats odd... I have the Hemi, QTII w/ 4-low and Tow IV package and mine didn't come with the badge; I am not "trail rated" . I do not have tow hooks or skid plates as I did not order the ORA1 or ORA2 package. I do have HDC... maybe thats a Trailer IV function?. I too agree that the badge is nothing more than a marketing scheme.
From the Brochure: ORA1: Skid Plate Group, QTII with Selec-Terrain, HDC, tow hooks & full-size spare (avilable Laredo & Limited 4x4)
ORA2: Skid Plate Group, QDII with Selec-Terrain (if equipped with V8), QL Air Suspension, OWL Tires, tow hooks, 18" wheels on Overland (available on all 4x4 models)
Skid Plates are available from Mopar (see image). You can also buy the badges and tow hooks from Mopar Parts.
The missus was *not* happy about this. I had her stand on one side of that while I drove through and back to film it. I'm surprised she wasn't voicing her displeasure in the background.
If you weren't getting anything else along with the badge it would be a marketing scheme but ORA packs include front and rear tow hooks, skid plate group, additional electrical and body sealing, 18" wheels (and possibly more?) which are all geared for the trail. The trail rated badge makes complete sense to me.
I wouldnt mind if we can learn what extra sealing they are talking about and where? I wouldnt mind doing that for more protection when I have to cross water, but then again I dont think it matters that much.
In the future I will be buying the skid plates since i read that it wasnt that hard to put them yourself. I do have a couple of other mods I want to do first so once I am done with them, I will be getting the skid plates.
I wouldnt mind if we can learn what extra sealing they are talking about and where? I wouldnt mind doing that for more protection when I have to cross water, but then again I dont think it matters that much.
In the future I will be buying the skid plates since i read that it wasnt that hard to put them yourself. I do have a couple of other mods I want to do first so once I am done with them, I will be getting the skid plates.
Still not sure how its a marketing scheme - the Jeep has additional items that make it more capable on the trail. Sorta like calling a HEMI badge on other vehicles a marketing scheme.
Perhaps a summary my model that didn't have an ORA option would help
Laredo without ORA cannot be upgraded to Trail Rated since it requires QTII, Hill Decent and Select Terrain which you do not have
Laredo-X without ORA cannot be upgraded to Trail Rated since it requires QTII, Hill Decent and Select Terrain which you do not have
Limited without ORA and 18" wheels CAN be upgraded to Trail Rated by adding
- Skid Plates
- Tow Hooks
- Full size spare
Limited without ORA and 20" wheels CAN be upgraded to Trail Rated by adding
- Swap to 18" wheels and proper tires
- Skid Plates
- Tow Hooks
- Full size spare
Overland without ORA CAN be upgraded to Trail Rated by adding
- Swap to 18" wheels and proper tires
- Skid Plates
- Tow Hooks
I have the Limited w/o the Off Road Adventure Package... I went with the 20's...
and was thinking of adding skid plates so I spent some time with the parts guys at my local dealer this past weekend trying to figure out what skid plates I can add-
like already stated, the catalog lists three : Transfer Case, Front Axle, and Fuel Tank...
but they kept insisting that I the Fuel Tank Plate would already be on the car and they all come with it?? one of the guys told me they installed them recently and the only ones needed are Transfer Case and Front Axle.
so are they just wrong?
if I wanted to add the Skid Plates on my WK2 would I need all three to match the factory ORA (besides the tow hooks and wheels of course)?
what could be more important than a meaty tire with a sidewall for trail running? it's really that simple. loaded overlands used to come with 18"s standard and now they offer 20"s because the wheel well opening got so much bigger.
The wheel well opening has nothing to do with it. The total diameter (wheel + tire) is the same whether you have 18" or 20" rims. The difference is that the tire on the 20" wheel has a lower aspect ratio (smaller sidewall). If this weren't the case, your speedometer would be off.
In years past, one of the ways that people would improve the performance of their sporty cars was to go "+1" or "+2" - this meant increasing the wheel size by one or two inches and picking a tire with a lower aspect ratio to maintain the same diameter.
The reason for going +1 is that tires with a lower aspect ratio deform less under hard cornering and can maintain more of the contact patch. The original trade-off for going +1 or +2 was a harsher ride.
As is so often the case, something that began as a performance item (e.g. spoilers) soon was adapted to be "eye candy" for the street. Tire technology has gotten better too -- if you tried 1980's tires on some of the silly 24" rims you see today, your fillings would rattle out.
It would be silly to pick 20" wheels over 18" wheels for cornering performance in a JGC - you're unlikely to be taking it to the track where something would matter; however it's certain NOT silly to prefer the look of the 20" wheels. For the record, I like the look of the 20" wheels too.
Since I am planning to take my Jeep off-road though, I prefer the functionality of the 18" wheels with the higher aspect ratio tires.
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Jeep Garage - Jeep Forum
1.7M posts
176.1K members
Since 2009
Jeep Garage is where you can talk about all your favorite jeeps including the Cherokee, Liberty and Grand Cherokee.