BW44-44 Transfer Case

Hi All, I'm new to this forum though I've been lurking for a while

I will be buying a new truck soon and have pretty much decided that the RAM 1500 Laramie 4x4 is the way to go. So far I have driven 2 of them and am a little surprised by the way the 4wd system behaves and was hoping that someone could shed some light on this for me. I'm specifically referring to the BW44-44 differential with the on-demand option.

While test driving both trucks I took them to an empty parking lot to play with the 4wd settings and as expected when the on-demand option (4wd Auto) was selected there was no discernible binding or hopping while making sharp turns. What did catch me by surprise was that both 4wd Lock and 4wd Low behaved exactly the same. No binding what soever even under full steering turn in both directions. I have had several 4wd vehicles in both Ford and Chevrolet and have test driven the latest f150 and silverado 4x4 and they all bind under sharp turns when 4wd is engaged (excluding 4wd auto with chevrolet). On the surface this seems like a benefit to the Ram because of better handling while on the trail with 4wd engaged but my concern is that maybe the front and rear axles are not actually locked providing 50/50 split to each axle and that the offroad performance would potentially suffer.

I'm currious to know if any of you who have the 2011 model with the BW44-44 transfer case (not sure when they started using this specific xfer case) can shed some light on this.

Thanks in advance for your input!


JB

Welcome to the forum bud. Cant speak for the 4th gens but I know mine skips in 4 wheel drive when turning.

Welcome man!!! I have no clue on the transfer case, but I do know that in 4w lock it is smooth with turning on my truck also. You will love the laramie. Post pics when you get it.

i dont remember on my 4th gen and I have 4 auto. I'll have to test it out tomorrow and post my result

Thanks guys! I look forward to seeing your results LB3711...

No bind in 4hi or 4auto.


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- Sent from my AT&T iPhone 4.

LB3711 said:

No bind in 4hi or 4auto.


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- Sent from my AT&T iPhone 4.

Click to expand...

just shutter

lol when i get above 20 yeah LOL

quietpeen said:

just shutter

Click to expand...

Ouch!!!

Very interesting that there is no binding. I guess the front and rear shafts are not completely locked (even though it says 4wd Lock) and must be coupled with a clutch system. Any feedback on how well it performs off road?

Thanks for the info!

JB

shutter is from the level. off road I can't tell ya. Mine goes great in the nasty snow we had this past winter and we had alot of it. Just wish i had something better than the stock crapyears.

are you sure thats the actual model number on the transfer case?

those numbers make no sense because all of the auto t cases (ive had 3 so far 2 rams and a chevy) are NP or NV (depending on the year, but same case) and all end with a 6 which is the code for the clutch style auto gears.
both my rams have been 246's and my chevy was a 236. the middle number is case strength.

and the BW would indicate that a new company is making the t cases now and New Venture LLC has the rights to "auto 4wd".

as far as the lack of binding, i had that on my 99 blazer but my 06 and my 09 rams neither bound in 4wd hi or low. its partially due to the size of tire and lack of hard turning needed to make the same angle puts less stress on the joints than other brands.

ill step on my own heels. i just found out what a BW44-44 t case is, the bw44-44 t case was a redesign mid year in the 10 model year to help out the low range in the highway geared trucks.

appearently there was a dramatic increase in 3.70:1 and lower geared trucks that year and the 2.72 low range was not correct for the engine load so they changed it to 2.64 and adjusted the clutches so there was less chatter in 4 lo.
other than that it is identical to that of NV246 that it replaced as an option to everything but the laramie level where it was standard.

the BW44-44 still takes the expensive special blue fluid and operates the same but has (in my opinion) worst lo range gearing.

LoadedLaramie said:

ill step on my own heels. i just found out what a BW44-44 t case is, the bw44-44 t case was a redesign mid year in the 10 model year to help out the low range in the highway geared trucks.

appearently there was a dramatic increase in 3.70:1 and lower geared trucks that year and the 2.72 low range was not correct for the engine load so they changed it to 2.64 and adjusted the clutches so there was less chatter in 4 lo.
other than that it is identical to that of NV246 that it replaced as an option to everything but the laramie level where it was standard.

the BW44-44 still takes the expensive special blue fluid and operates the same but has (in my opinion) worst lo range gearing.

Click to expand...

Wow... Thanks Ryan. Great info! It is interesting that they modified the differential mid year (I wasn't able to find out when the change occurred). My understanding is that the BW44-44 case is from Borg Warner so it would appear that the manufacturer has changed (previously New Venture Gear).

Thanks again for the insight.

JB

my 02 durango would bind up and my Ranger did too. I can remember if my s10 blazer or s15 jimmy did

Old thread I found via search. What confuses me about the 44-44 being nearly identical to the NV246 is the NV246 will bind in 4WD lock and from what I have seen and read the 44-44 will not.

My 13 has the 44-44 also, its nice that you dont get binding when turning, and to me the good ends there, is you do anyoffroad its horrible, the constant jerks front the engage-disengage action when crawling in slick terrain is brutal, makes you spin more and gives big jerks to the drivetrain, i see there reasoning behind it for higway driving but they should include a lock button that keeps it engaged full time, throw in a speed limiter when the button is active and there golden


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Pardon my ignorance....

But I have a '12 Ram 1500, 5.7L Hemi, 4x4, Long Horn. How do I determine what Transfer Case I have? BW44-44 or another?

Crawl under the truck and look at the sticker on the tcase. It should say "Borgwarner 44-44" if it is the 44-44. I believe it's on the passengers side of the tcase but I can't remember...

Many of threads on how the 4444 works or doesnt for some. Basically the clutches will not engage unless there is some slip in the rear tires. Why your not seeing any binding.

There is a kit out there if you want to get rid of the clutches. Thread on the kit and thread on an install that isnt working to par just yet.
http://www.ramforumz.com/showthread.php?t=215799
http://www.ramforumz.com/showthread.php?t=217104