4x4 problem Ram 2013+ 8-speed 44-44 transfer case

[loveracing1988]

I am pretty sure the new ones lock someone should be able to look at their build and know what transfer case they have. There was two on past 4th gen the Auto 4wd one and the the standard 4wd one.


$miley

There is a button for 2wd, 4 auto, 4 lock, and 4 low.

 

[Selcher]

So in 4HI, you can turn at very slow speeds in a paved parking lot without any binding or grabbing?

 

[loveracing1988]

4x4 problem Ram 2013 8-speed

On another forum a person is having the same issue.

 

[loveracing1988]

So in 4HI, you can turn at very slow speeds in a paved parking lot without any binding or grabbing?

I can now confirm that there is no binding up at all in 4 lock or 4 low on dry pavement.

 

[Selcher]

4x4 problem Ram 2013 8-speed

... did you read what the Dodge Care person posted taken from the manual? Even that states 4WD LOCK forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed, at the same time... exactly how my 2010 functions in 4WD LOCK... what you describe is exactly how mine drives in 4WD AUTO...

When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions can be used to lock
the front and rear driveshafts together forcing the front
and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is
accomplished by rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the
desired position. Refer to “Shifting Procedure” for specific
shifting instructions. The 4WD LOCK and 4WD
LOW positions are designed for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW
positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause increased
tire wear and damage to the driveline components.

For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2WD
Rear-Wheel Drive High Range - This range is for normal
street and highway driving on dry hard surfaced roads.
4WD AUTO
Four-Wheel Drive Auto Range - This range sends power
to the rear wheels. The four–wheel drive system will be
automatically engaged when the vehicle senses a loss of
traction. Additional traction for varying road conditions.
4WD LOCK
Four-Wheel Drive Lock Range - This range locks the front
and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction
for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
4WD LOW
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range - This range provides low
speed four-wheel drive. Locks the front and rear driveshafts
together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate
at the same speed. Additional traction and maximum
pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do
not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).

 

[Hemi395]

Mines a 2013 I'm going to try to find a spot to test it this weekend.

Sent from my Galaxy S4

 

[loveracing1988]

... did you read what the Dodge Care person posted taken from the manual? Even that states 4WD LOCK forces the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed, at the same time... exactly how my 2010 functions in 4WD LOCK... what you describe is exactly how mine drives in 4WD AUTO...

When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions can be used to lock
the front and rear driveshafts together forcing the front
and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is
accomplished by rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the
desired position. Refer to “Shifting Procedure” for specific
shifting instructions. The 4WD LOCK and 4WD
LOW positions are designed for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW
positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause increased
tire wear and damage to the driveline components.

For additional information on the appropriate use of each
transfer case mode position, see the information below:
2WD
Rear-Wheel Drive High Range - This range is for normal
street and highway driving on dry hard surfaced roads.
4WD AUTO
Four-Wheel Drive Auto Range - This range sends power
to the rear wheels. The four–wheel drive system will be
automatically engaged when the vehicle senses a loss of
traction. Additional traction for varying road conditions.
4WD LOCK
Four-Wheel Drive Lock Range - This range locks the front
and rear driveshafts together forcing the front and rear
wheels to rotate at the same speed. Additional traction
for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
4WD LOW
Four-Wheel Drive Low Range - This range provides low
speed four-wheel drive. Locks the front and rear driveshafts
together forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate
at the same speed. Additional traction and maximum
pulling power for loose, slippery road surfaces only. Do
not exceed 25 mph (40 km/h).

Yes I read it, I read the same thing in the manual. That doesn't mean the manual is correct. As an example in my wifes grand cherokee manual the color of the eco button light is incorrect causing people to worry what is wrong with their jeeps. Also the paddle shifter operation is wrong in normal mode. I really want to believe that it is correct but my own personal experience and the original poster prove otherwise.

 

[rizzkid12]

My 2013 4x4 3.6l 8 speed tranny with 4wd lock and 4wd lo (no auto option) works the same as my 1998 Ram1500 4x4. In 4wd lock or 4wd low the front and rear are locked. You can tell by doing tight turns on dry pavement and the steering is really hard to turn because the wheels are spinning the same speed. This is why you are only supposed to be in 4wd in slippery conditions to prevent driveline and tire wear. If this isnt happening in 4wd lock or 4wd low there is an issue and I would be pissed off as well. When I gun the gas in 4wd lock I never spin the rear tires only, I can tell the front is grabbing with the rear at the same exact time. Maybe your traction control setting is throwing you off. Try turning that off and run your test. I would think 4wd lock is the same with both transfer cases and auto is actually auto.

 

[B Red Dodge]

In 4wd lock or 4wd low the front and rear are locked. You can tell by doing tight turns on dry pavement and the steering is really hard to turn because the wheels are spinning the same speed. This is why you are only supposed to be in 4wd in slippery conditions to prevent driveline and tire wear.

I can be in 4x4 Lock and [4x4 LOW] and turn lock to lock on dry pavement and there is no grabbing or binding at all.

There is some serious false advertising regarding the Borg Warner 44-45 transfer case.

I sent Ram Customer Service a message about it and they basically sent me a page out of the owners manual about how it is "supposed" to operate. They didn't answer my question at all.

My Message:
"My 2014, 5.7L, 8 speed auto, 4x4 Ram 1500 has a transfer case that does
not lock when placed in "4x4 lock". The "4x4 Auto" and "4x4 Lock" function
the same and this has been confirmed by my dealer. Why is the transfer case advertised as "locking" when it doesn't lock?"

1st Response
"Dear Joe:

Thank you for contacting the Jeep Assistance Center.
We are very sorry to learn of the problem you have encountered and have
documented your concern.
We appreciate the time and effort you took to tell us of your
dissatisfaction in our product.
The handling of your case will require a call to the Dealer. The Dealer
is currently closed. What I am going to do is assign your case to an
agent that will contact the Dealer on your behalf. I will be contacting
you once the Dealer has been contacted to provide you with an update.
This will ensure that your concern is reviewed as quickly as possible.
Thanks again for your email.
Sincerely,
Sierra
Customer Service Representative
Jeep Customer Assistance Center"

2nd Response:
"Dear Joe:

Thank you for contacting the Jeep Assistance Center.
We have done some research into the Transfer Case. Starting on page 448
of your Owners Manual it states:
4WD AUTO
Four-Wheel Drive Auto Range - This range sends power to the rear wheels.
The four?wheel drive system will be automatically engaged when the
vehicle senses a loss of traction. Additional traction for varying road
conditions.
4WD LOCK
Four-Wheel Drive Lock Range - This range maximizes torque to the front
driveshaft, forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. Additional traction for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
Thanks again for your email.
Sincerely,
Sierra
Customer Service Representative
Jeep Customer Assistance Center"

 

[loveracing1988]

I can be in 4x4 Lock and [4x4 LOW] and turn lock to lock on dry pavement and there is no grabbing or binding at all.

There is some serious false advertising regarding the Borg Warner 44-45 transfer case.

I sent Ram Customer Service a message about it and they basically sent me a page out of the owners manual about how it is "supposed" to operate. They didn't answer my question at all.

My Message:
"My 2014, 5.7L, 8 speed auto, 4x4 Ram 1500 has a transfer case that does
not lock when placed in "4x4 lock". The "4x4 Auto" and "4x4 Lock" function
the same and this has been confirmed by my dealer. Why is the transfer case advertised as "locking" when it doesn't lock?"

1st Response
"Dear Joe:

Thank you for contacting the Jeep Assistance Center.
We are very sorry to learn of the problem you have encountered and have
documented your concern.
We appreciate the time and effort you took to tell us of your
dissatisfaction in our product.
The handling of your case will require a call to the Dealer. The Dealer
is currently closed. What I am going to do is assign your case to an
agent that will contact the Dealer on your behalf. I will be contacting
you once the Dealer has been contacted to provide you with an update.
This will ensure that your concern is reviewed as quickly as possible.
Thanks again for your email.
Sincerely,
Sierra
Customer Service Representative
Jeep Customer Assistance Center"

2nd Response:
"Dear Joe:

Thank you for contacting the Jeep Assistance Center.
We have done some research into the Transfer Case. Starting on page 448
of your Owners Manual it states:
4WD AUTO
Four-Wheel Drive Auto Range - This range sends power to the rear wheels.
The four?wheel drive system will be automatically engaged when the
vehicle senses a loss of traction. Additional traction for varying road
conditions.
4WD LOCK
Four-Wheel Drive Lock Range - This range maximizes torque to the front
driveshaft, forcing the front and rear wheels to rotate at the same
speed. Additional traction for loose, slippery road surfaces only.
Thanks again for your email.
Sincerely,
Sierra
Customer Service Representative
Jeep Customer Assistance Center"

It is the 44-44 transfer case. The 44-45 is the part time model. I wish I could just swap them out.

 

[lswing]

So clearly your transfer case is not locking, seems like others are fine. Take the truck in to get fixed under warranty? Hope it goes well!

 

[Hemi395]

It is the 44-44 transfer case. The 44-45 is the part time model. I wish I could just swap them out.

I'm guessing this isn't possible without major modifications?

Sent from my Galaxy S4

 

[smiley]

There is something wrong with yours is my opinion since that states how it should work which yours does not do apparently.


$miley

 

[smurfs_of_war]

I went and tried this with my 2013 Laramie with the on demand transfer case. In 4 lock, it is definitely locked. It would bind and chuck on pavement trying to turn.

Sent from my SGH-I337M using Tapatalk

 

[NYCruiser]

Lock should be locked. Maybe find another dealer to service it.

 

[rizzkid12]

does it say shift in process on the dash then change from 2wd to 4wd? Then a 4wd light will be illuminated on the dash. This is how mine works. If not make them fix it under warranty.

 

[loveracing1988]

So clearly your transfer case is not locking, seems like others are fine. Take the truck in to get fixed under warranty? Hope it goes well!

I have seen one person so far post on here that a 2013 or 2014 with the same transfer case locks. Every other person has the part time transfer case or an older truck.

 

[loveracing1988]

There is something wrong with yours is my opinion since that states how it should work which yours does not do apparently.


$miley

Ram themselves told me that the way mine works is how it is supposed to work, the dealer said this is how it is supposed to work. So who do I believe?

 

[loveracing1988]

does it say shift in process on the dash then change from 2wd to 4wd? Then a 4wd light will be illuminated on the dash. This is how mine works. If not make them fix it under warranty.

It will say whether you are in 4 auto, 4 "lock" or 4 low.

 

[NYCruiser]

From the 2013 Ram owner's manual:

This electronically shifted transfer case is designed to be
driven in the two–wheel drive position (2WD) or fourwheel
drive position (4WD AUTO) for normal street and
highway conditions on dry hard surfaced roads). Driving
the vehicle in 2WD will have greater fuel economy
benefits as the front axle is not engaged in 2WD.
For variable driving conditions, the 4WD AUTO mode
can be used. In this mode, the front axle is engaged, but
the vehicle’s power is sent to the rear wheels. Four-wheel
drive will be automatically engaged when the vehicle
senses a loss of traction. Because the front axle is engaged,
this mode will result in lower fuel economy than
the 2WD mode.
When additional traction is required, the transfer case
4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW positions can be used to lock
the front and rear driveshafts together forcing the front
and rear wheels to rotate at the same speed. This is
accomplished by rotating the 4WD Control Switch to the
desired position. Refer to “Shifting Procedure” for specific
shifting instructions. The 4WD LOCK and 4WD
LOW positions are designed for loose, slippery road
surfaces only. Driving in the 4WD LOCK and 4WD LOW
positions on dry hard surfaced roads may cause increased
tire wear and damage to the driveline components

The question isn't if the full time xfer case is working as designed, rather than is it working as Ram marketed it. I'd show the dealer the manual and tell them to make it work this way.

Also keep records of your visits/complaints for this problem as you may end up with recourse through your local lemon law if they can't make it happen.

The owner's manual clearly doesn't differentiate any difference in operation in 4wd lock between the two available transfer cases.

Edit - I also just checked my 2014 owner's manual and it says the same thing.