*RESOLVED* Modification of the 4WD switch to add "4WD AUTO" mode???

[SimmZ]

I live in Northern Canada where winter last around 6-8 months per year. When I purchased my 2019 RAM 1500 Classic, since the model line up was extremely reduced because of the 5th gen RAM, the option to see the 4 buttons 4WD switch with the "4WD AUTO" mode dissappeared with the Limited and all other luxury models.

I am simply wondering if I find a used 4 buttons switch from a salvaged 2017-18 with the "4WD AUTO" if it this may work plug & play (or with a basic programming at the dealership) on my 2019 Classic SXT? I searched pretty deep and I didn't find anywhere that the transfer case between, for example, a 2018 SXT and a 2018 Limited are different. So I suspect that the "4WD AUTO" mode is just a matter of some electronic programming based on wheels spin/speed sensor, as the transfert case in all 4th gen RAM 1500 is already a "on the fly" transfer case capable of switching drive in motion...

I would really like to be able to leave my RAM 1500 in "4WD AUTO" during the winter since some day the road are dry, but a few minutes later some snow fall and it become slippery... so for optimal fuel economy I'll have to play manually between 2WD and 4WD constantly.

 

[SimmZ]

By the way, after digging further, the mopar PN# are above and based on product's picture, the harness behind the module look identical, if the picture on Mopar website are reliable at least...

- Gear Shift Assembly WITHOUT on-demand 4WD - Mopar 68171965AJ


- Gear Shift Assembly WITH on-demand 4WD - Mopar 68171966AJ

 

[Tim Garceau]

Search Borg Warner 44-45 vs 44-44.

 

[SimmZ]

Search Borg Warner 44-45 vs 44-44. The 44-45 has a part time "AWD" front clutch system.

Okay, so you mean that the 44-44 transfer case is probably gone on the entire 2019 Classic line due to the line up reduction? Because neither the 2019 Classic SLT or the Warlock had the "4WD AUTO" button on the dash who are now the "top of the lineup".

 

[Tim Garceau]

Yes, Corrected.

The 4 auto is usually reserved for luxury trims which I do not consider the Warlock. So you may be right with that statement of the classic Gen no longer carrying that option.

 

[SimmZ]

Thank you for the clarification

 

[crash68]

The part time/4 auto is usually reserved for luxury trims which I do not consider the Warlock. So you may be right with that statement of the classic Gen no longer carrying that option.

Your terminology is off, the BW44-44 which has the the "Auto 4X4" is a Full Time transfer case, and front axle is clutch driven. The Ram programming makes it act more like AWD and will tolerate driving on dry surfaces.
The BW44-45 is a Part Time transfer case, the front and rear driveshafts are locked together when 4X4 Lock or Low is selected.

 

[Whiteannerdy]

I think it will depend on more than a switch. But I can’t prove it.

I think the rebels don’t have auto because they have a different transfer case. My sport has the auto shift and my build sheet lists the following. Check your build sheet to see what transmission you have.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Tim Garceau]

Your terminology is off, the BW44-44 which has the the "Auto 4X4" is a Full Time transfer case, and front axle is clutch driven. The Ram programming makes it act more like AWD and will tolerate driving on dry surfaces.
The BW44-45 is a Part Time transfer case, the front and rear driveshafts are locked together when 4X4 Lock or Low is selected.

Apologies, I used part-time because both driveshafts are locked only when the rear detects slipping vs 4Lock being always engaged.

Regardless, the 44-45 is more robust and has less opportunity for failure in the OPs case but you can't set it and forget it during inclement weather like with 4Auto.

 

[muddy12]

To clarify with a short answer;
You can NOT just swap the switch to get “auto” mode.

At a minimum, the transfer case And switch would need changed, and it may require programming to keep the computer happy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[6.7CumminsDrvr]

Can be done with AlphaOBD and swapping to a 44-44.

 

[smiley]

You don’t want the 44-44 it is junk. It doesn’t work like real 4wd and it isn’t even close to AWD. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS you want the 44-45 and no auto trust me. Tons of people are trying to ditch the 44-44 as it is not made it last and isn’t really 4WD like we all know and love.

Check and see what transfer case you are seeing on the classics but if you can get 44-45 or anything else that is engaged by more than clutches you will be winning.

 

[corneileous]

You don’t want the 44-44 it is junk. It doesn’t work like real 4wd and it isn’t even close to AWD. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS you want the 44-45 and no auto trust me. Tons of people are trying to ditch the 44-44 as it is not made it last and isn’t really 4WD like we all know and love.

Check and see what transfer case you are seeing on the classics but if you can get 44-45 or anything else that is engaged by more than clutches you will be winning.

I wouldn’t go as far as to call it junk. You just can’t change what it is, you can’t change what it was designed for and what the vehicle it was put in, was not designed for. You really can’t call it junk for that.

Today’s halftons aren’t true trucks anymore so you can’t really blame the lesser components they use for their decreased capability. Today’s halftons are too much like cars. If you want something you can take off-road and hammer on it, and not bash it to bits at the same time then a regular half-ton is not for you. Go get a three-quarter ton or, even the Rebel is a lot more suited for off-road rather than like my limited. That’s why the Rebel doesn’t come with that auto four-wheel-drive transfer case, doesn’t come with the active grille shutters and why it comes with 10-ply tires and another inch of ground clearance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Tim Garceau]

i would consider the Warlock a Rebel Express.

 

[smiley]

I wouldn’t go as far as to call it junk. You just can’t change what it is, you can’t change what it was designed for and what the vehicle it was put in, was not designed for. You really can’t call it junk for that.

Today’s halftons aren’t true trucks anymore so you can’t really blame the lesser components they use for their decreased capability. Today’s halftons are too much like cars. If you want something you can take off-road and hammer on it, and not bash it to bits at the same time then a regular half-ton is not for you. Go get a three-quarter ton or, even the Rebel is a lot more suited for off-road rather than like my limited. That’s why the Rebel doesn’t come with that auto four-wheel-drive transfer case, doesn’t come with the active grille shutters and why it comes with 10-ply tires and another inch of ground clearance.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

We will have to disagree. The 44-44 should not have been produced. It is not acceptable for anyone who actually needs and wants 4WD. It was deceitful to sell it as such. The half ton is plenty of truck for most people but those that drive on ice and snow don’t need a 2500 but do need both axles doing the work. I don’t think anyone would knowingly want the 44-44 over the 44-45 and if they did I would say go read about them and then tell me your thoughts. I love Ram but the 44-44 missed the mark and Borg Warner and FCA should take some heat for a dumb decision.

 

[smiley]

Also, I don’t think it makes sense to say half tons are not trucks anymore they have better tow ratings than they have ever had!

 

[corneileous]

We will have to disagree. The 44-44 should not have been produced. It is not acceptable for anyone who actually needs and wants 4WD. It was deceitful to sell it as such. The half ton is plenty of truck for most people but those that drive on ice and snow don’t need a 2500 but do need both axles doing the work. I don’t think anyone would knowingly want the 44-44 over the 44-45 and if they did I would say go read about them and then tell me your thoughts. I love Ram but the 44-44 missed the mark and Borg Warner and FCA should take some heat for a dumb decision.

I have read about the 44-44 and what it does. I do agree on one part- I don’t remember who but I’ve heard of other competitors who have a similar transfer case that has the auto-4x4 in it that does lock up in the other non-auto modes, so I do agree that they did drop the ball on that part but since I don’t off-road my truck, I find it hard to sympathize for how it works. Maybe one of these years Oklahoma will get another good snow year so I can really see first hand about the difference in four-wheel operation between my new truck and my old one but so far, I don’t mind how it works.

And yeah, I do understand the deceitful part. I don’t know why they call basically 4-hi “4-Lock” if the t-case still doesn’t even lock, even in 4-LO. That is kind of false advertising.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[SimmZ]

And yeah, I do understand the deceitful part. I don’t know why they call basically 4-hi “4-Lock” if the t-case still doesn’t even lock, even in 4-LO. That is kind of false advertising.

I agree, it's false advertising if it doesn't lock.

 

[corneileous]

Also, I don’t think it makes sense to say half tons are not trucks anymore they have better tow ratings than they have ever had!

Tow ratings aside, halftons have become less trucks! Just because they tow more don’t mean jack ****! Halftons ride lower, and smoother, they’re not built as stout, they have independent front suspensions.

My old 98 Ram 1500 with the straight front axle was way more truck than this one, or even my old 08 would ever think about being.

There’s a reason why the 2500/3500 bears the word Heavy Duty in their names.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[smiley]

Refinement has increased and they still can do more work than ever before. My 79 F250 is rated for 6200 lbs. that is terrible. My Yukon XL can do like 8200 and not even a pickup. My 09 Ram would do 10k and with the beefed up gears was able to do so with ease. Vehicles are better every year and they do mess up things like this transfer case but I am so glad people can now swap them.