2013 1500 5.7 lara longhorn 4x4 problem

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Luis dodge

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First time posting. I got this 2013 ram 1500 Laramie longhorn 4x4 with the 5.7 with the 6spd auto and BW 44 44.
The 4x4 is not working. i put the rear end up on stands and put the truck in 4auto, 4 lock and 4 low but the front wheels are not moving. I should mention that after pressing the brakes a few times the front starts to move. obviously since I got the back on stands I can't go far but it does try to movw . I checked the fluids on everything. I changed the motor on the t case. I took apart the connectors and cleaned them. I'm not sure what's going on. Could it be a wheel sensor or abs related. Any help is very much appreciated and excuse me if I post this on the wrong thread. Update front left caliper was ***** somehow a rock got in there. Service abs cleared but still not 4x4. If i tap the brakes It feels like the front wheels try to turn but dont.. I pulled front axle actuator motor and put in 4x4 lock and the fork moves. I think I might take it to dealer I don't trust them but I'm going to ask for an pcm update. My next move is going to be to replace all wheel sensors, somehow test the t case then front diff. Again any tips or help is greatly appreciated. I should mention all 4 wheel used to turn when in 4x4 lock and 4x4 low. As a matter of fact when in 4x4 low because the Trac control gets turned off I could burry all 4 wheels in snow if not careful, same in sand or mud. I'm starting to think I might have burnt my t case. Or My front diff can't handle the 37"s. I'm trying to do everything else i can before I give up and drop the trans and t case and front diff. Which btw if I do, are there better options to put back in. I like offroading, I bought this truck because I like the looks plus it's supposed to be a strong truck. I know this truck is not a locked up monster on 44s but I did okay til this dam problem.

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crash68

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One of the cons of the BW44-44(has Auto 4X4 button)Full Time transfer case is that it doesn't like to send power to the front wheels until rear wheel slippage is detected. This goes for Lock and Low ranges also. Not saying there might not be a problem with yours but it doesn't function like the BW44-45 Part Time transfer case.
 

jasonw

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crash68 is correct. The BW44-44 t-case is what I call an "auto 4WD" system.

The BW44-45 in the low to mid-trim trucks is pretty much the traditional "turn the knob, it kicks into 4WD lock" (or 4WD low if you follow the directions for that).
Laramie-ish and up (there are some exceptions to that statement), we get the BW44-44. In a nutshell, Auto has the computer decide when to engage the 4WD and disengage the 4WD (when it detects slippage, as crash68 said) . The Lock button has the computer do the same thing, except it will not disengage the 4WD until you let off the throttle.

If you're only familiar with the old-school/traditional 4WD systems, it does take some getting used too. I was, have had the truck a couple years now, and I'm still learning how best to use this system.
 
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Luis dodge

Luis dodge

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Pulled all the abs/speed sensors. Front ones were not working.replaced both front Still no 4x4. Tried pulling the pos battery cable to do a reset but nothing. Now when I start the truck it says 4x4 temporarily unavailable the it goes away. No stored messages or codes wtf. Well I guess that's what happens when you buy a 32k pos that's supposed to be a truck but turns out to be a prius.
 
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Luis dodge

Luis dodge

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Turned out to be a burnt clutch in the t case. Switching to a bw44-46 and replacing the 4wd selector to one that does not have 4wd auto. I'm using the Alfa obd with the mx connector to set the new t case in the bcm. Thanks to everyone who helped me figure this out.
 

indept

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Turned out to be a burnt clutch in the t case. Switching to a bw44-46 and replacing the 4wd selector to one that does not have 4wd auto. I'm using the Alfa obd with the mx connector to set the new t case in the bcm. Thanks to everyone who helped me figure this out.
Let us know how it turns out.
 
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Luis dodge

Luis dodge

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Will do. I would have reluctantly traded the truck if it was not for the help of many from this site.
 

Ken226

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Did you mean the bw44-45?

Will the 44-46 fit and work in a 1500?

I just bought a used bw44-45 to swap into my 2013 Sport, but i saw some decent prices on ebay for 44-46 transfer cases. I just assumed the size/geometry would be all wrong for a 1500.

Its hard to tell from pics, but the 44-46 looks to have a different front output shat and different tail length. Will it require the drive stafts be modified?
 
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Luis dodge

Luis dodge

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Ken226 from what I gather in this site they are the same. There is a good thread here about doing that swap. I'm using a BW 44-46 because it does not have 4wd auto. I think the thread is under Alfa obd. Good luck.
 
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Luis dodge

Luis dodge

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Btw to those who been helping me out. I'm still waiting on the the t case to get delivered. It was supposed to be here Tuesday the 12th but inclimate weather has delayed it.
 

Ken226

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The thread you referring to is all about swapping the bw44-45 (the ram 1500 non-auto transfer case) in to replace the bw44-44 (ram 1500 auto transfer case). Both the 44-44 and 44-45 mate to the 6speed 65rfe and 8 speed 845re transmissions that come in the 1500 trucks.

The bw44-46 transfer case comes in the 2500 and 3500 trucks, mated to the 66rfe or 68rfe transmissions.

Im sure the 44-46 is a stronger case since it comes from the 2500 trucks, but i didnt know it would mate to the 65rfe or 845re transmissions.

Someone correct me if im wrong?

Moparman16s thread about the 44-45 swap does indeed instruct you to select the 44-46 syncro while doing the software portion of the job, but this is only because the 44-45 isnt listed by alphaOBD and the 44-46 uses the same stepper motor/shift fork movements for 4x4 shifts.
 
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Luis dodge

Luis dodge

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Finally got the BW 44-45 (4446 synchromesh in Alfa obd) put in. Also changed from the 4 position to a 3 position 4x4 selector switch. Everything seems to work fine. Did some driving in the snow and it did fine. I want to say thanks again to all of you here in the ram forum who helped me figure this out.
 

Ken226

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Awesome, glad to hear it worked.

My transfer case is "out for delivery" right now.

I've already removed my 44-44, installed the 3 pos switch and programmed it for the 44-46 synchromesh.

Its up on jackstands waiting for UPS. Ill be in deep **** if UPS breaks it or loses it!
 
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Luis dodge

Luis dodge

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I been waiting for ups since the 12. I got tired of waiting. Got lucky and found one at the BNR by my house. Ups keeps telling me inclimate weather is delaying delivery but I seen their truck deliver to people next door, oh well for the price I can't complain. I was surprised at how easy the t case came out. It was easier to just put it in my hand. I tried a transmission jack but ended up lifting it. Good luck finishing yours.
 

Ken226

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Did you buy the special pliars and a new clamp for the front driveshaft rubber boot?
 
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Luis dodge

Luis dodge

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No I used zip ties for now. I plan on buying the and clamps soon. I'm surprised how well the zip ties have worked tho.
 

Ken226

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I just finished up and went for a test drive in some icey parking lots.

All is well with the world. No more torque on demand for me!

All four spin at the same time, every time. It scrubs like a ***** turning on dry pavement, as it should.

Luis Dodge,

You should throw up a quick post in Mopar16s DIY 44-45 swap thread.

When other members search in the future, and find that thread, seeing how many of us have successfully done the conversion will be helpful for other members.

I bought the boot clamp pliars at Oreillys for 10$ and was able to straiten the clamps crimped part enough with pliars to reuse it.
 
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Luis dodge

Luis dodge

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Awesome. I'm glad you got it done and it works good. I will post that.
 
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