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

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ScLeCo

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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.

I was never an "off road" guy before but now that I've caught the overlanding bug. I regret the purchase of the 1500. I should have gotten the Power Wagon.
The 44-44 is absolute dog crap.
I should not have gotten stuck as many times as I have. I'm the guy who slows the convoy down because someone has to winch my ass out and it sucks.
The guy in my group with the Rebel goes through the same stuff and doesn't get stuck. Same basic truck and set up/tires besides him having a 1 inch higher lift.
That's how I know it's the 44-44 that's the problem.
 

corneileous

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I was never an "off road" guy before but now that I've caught the overlanding bug. I regret the purchase of the 1500. I should have gotten the Power Wagon.
The 44-44 is absolute dog crap.
I should not have gotten stuck as many times as I have. I'm the guy who slows the convoy down because someone has to winch my ass out and it sucks.
The guy in my group with the Rebel goes through the same stuff and doesn't get stuck. Same basic truck and set up/tires besides him having a 1 inch higher lift.
That's how I know it's the 44-44 that's the problem.

The Power Wagon definitely is a much better suited truck for that, no doubt about it.

But see, even if I was in your shoes and my truck didn’t have the auto-4x4 t-case, I still wouldn’t be wheeling it the way you are. I’d be having a truck that was better capable for that, not just some “better” transfer case.

But you know, you guys disagree with me all you want. I’m just pointing out my fake on why today’s halftons are built the way that they are.

Most people who buy halftons nowadays ain’t wanting a beefed up, truck TRUCK. There’s a lot more people buying 1500s for travel and leisure than there are 2500s and up.


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gofishn

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I wouldn’t go as far as to call it junk.

How about we call the 4AUTO transfer case, if not JUN,. the Transfer Case for complete People, who do not now jack squat about anything mechanical and think the beef they buy, comes from the store, already made up in nice little packages and NEVER EVER From a Slaughter Cow.

the People who do things like "Hold Hands Across America", believe Televangelists are Sincere and worthy of Donations.Never noticing just how nicely dressed all of them seem to be.

Would that be more accurate?
 

corneileous

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How about we call the 4AUTO transfer case, if not JUN,. the Transfer Case for complete People, who do not now jack squat about anything mechanical and think the beef they buy, comes from the store, already made up in nice little packages and NEVER EVER From a Slaughter Cow.

the People who do things like "Hold Hands Across America", believe Televangelists are Sincere and worthy of Donations.Never noticing just how nicely dressed all of them seem to be.

Would that be more accurate?

Wow. So what are you trying to say, just because I don’t agree with the general consensus that I don’t know jack squat?? Lol. That’s funny.


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gofishn

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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!


That's why I call mine, Truckette.

While it has good tow ratings, payload sucks dead donkey butt and towed vehicle effects are felt much more by the a 1500 than a far heavier 3\4 ton truck.

Anything that does not have a solid front Axle, preferably Dana front axle, is a Truckette.
 

gofishn

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Wow. So what are you trying to say, just because I don’t agree with the general consensus that I don’t know jack squat?? Lol. That’s funny.


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Don't mind me. I am in a ticked off mood about my Can and lifter issues.
However, you defending a ****. No matter how well built, functioning or Bronze.


Re read your post.

i tend to agree with most of it. Today's vehicles are plastic toys with mouse motors, tweaked to their utmost, for maximum power and fuel economy.

Trying to please the Truck Buyer, who wants power AND the USA standards ****'s.

No matter how well built,or how perfectly functioning, the 4AUTO transfer case is a Frankenstein Creature. It should never had been built. It is a lets try this and call it that transfer case. I can think of no instance where I would prefer the 4AUTO transfer case. I can barely tolerate the alternative.

I'm still mad transfer cases do not require a heavy duty leather. transfer case saddle to drop and change out the things...Clutches? Pulleys? Belts, Aluminum?
What the heck?

Gears, Baby,

High temp forged, teeth to teeth gears that can withstand anything and keep on ticking, that is what a transfer case should be.

Going back to My Grumpy Angry Old Man corner now.

carry on.
 

pacofortacos

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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.


Even then, with the 44-44 the front and rear driveshafts are never ever "locked". The clutch is always there ready to slip if need by.
On the 44-45, the driveshafts are locked mechanically and only slip if something breaks.

The 44-45 can do more damage if driven on non-slippery surfaces. Which is why IMO there should be a different type of switch vs. the stupid push button.
A knob that is used on the 2500 and the older dakota's, etc., that you can just reach for turn it one click and be done with it vs. looking down, finding the correct push button, hold said push button for a couple of seconds (hoping it understands what you want from it).
It isn't easy to find that button at speed when all of a sudden you come from clear roads to snow covered road in patches.

I HATE that stupid button on the 44-45 setup, if I wasn't clear :)
 

John Jensen

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This is an interesting thread in that so many are so knowledgeable and know exactly what they want and declare that the 44-44 is terrible and a piece of crap.

What runs through my mind is why then did you buy a truck with the 44-44? Hopefully, with all your knowledge, you don't answer you didn't know it had a 44-44 or didn't know the 44-44 was clutch driven.

Aside from all that, I like my 44-44, but I'm no longer an "offroader" except on hunting or fishing trips. I'm surprised no one mentioned the truck's failure, because of ESC and TCS system, to get out of a deep mud bog or when stuck in the snow. IMO that's worse than the clutch driven transfer case. I know you can disable the system when in 4WD Low, but you have to be stopped to do it. Have you ever been in a deep mud bog? You don't want to stop.

To disable the ESC and TCS system on the fly I modified the F26 fuse link. Now my SFT tune automatically disables the system when in any 4WD mode.
To make the 44-44 act like a 44-45 I installed Brandon's switch (see post above).

I'm saying all this to help your pain, there are ways to make it do what you want.

Cheers! Enjoy your 1500.
 
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smiley

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Check out Brandon-W's switch mod for the 44-44,it doesn't make it any stronger,but it at least makes the 44-44 act more like a transfer case instead of an AWD

It doesn’t act like AWD though. I have real AWD in my Yukon XL and it is a tank. I can go through unreal amounts of **** with street dueler Alenza tires. It is very crappy idea to make the rear sense slip and then slam into a clutch based 4wd. It makes me mad mostly because it is deceitful and given the choose most people would choose the “cheaper” 44-45 which is awesome. I had an 09 and it was an NVG246 if I recall and it wasn’t as good as the “cheaper” one either. Mine wore out way before my Dads same year truck. Later I found out from my mechanic never use the auto 4wd as it keeps him employed. He tells everyone who has auto to either be in 2wd or 4wd don’t use auto. Well then the 44-44 comes along and it literally is the same in all modes so why did they bother?
 

smiley

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This is an interesting thread in that so many are so knowledgeable and know exactly what they want and declare that the 44-44 is terrible and a piece of crap.

What runs through my mind is why then did you buy a truck with the 44-44? Hopefully, with all your knowledge, you don't answer you didn't know it had a 44-44 or didn't know the 44-44 was clutch driven.

Aside from all that, I like my 44-44, but I'm no longer an "offroader" except on hunting or fishing trips. I'm surprised no one mentioned the truck's failure, because of ESC and TCS system, to get out of a deep mud bog or when stuck in the snow. IMO that's worse than the clutch driven transfer case. I know, you can disable the system when in 4WD Low, but you have to be stopped to do it. Have you ever been in a deep mud bog? You don't want to stop.

To disable the ESC and TCS system on the fly I modified the F26 fuse link. Now my SFT tune automatically disables the system when in any 4WD mode.
To make the 44-44 act like a 44-45 I installed Brandon's switch (see post above).

I'm saying all this to help your pain, there are ways to make it do what you want.

Cheers! Enjoy your 1500.

I can’t speak for others but I personally didn’t buy a ram with a 44-44. I wouldn’t either.

I don’t own a Ram at the moment but been on head a long time and try to participate when I can. This issue has been upsetting to many for a long time. The normal consumer wouldn’t know they bought a “fake” until it was too late. This isn’t Target and you can’t really return vehicles in most instances. Complicating the issue more is they put the 44-44 in the higher end trims. The ones that most people like Big Horn and up. So until someone came out with a way to modify them you were stuck choosing the other stuff you want and crappy transfer case or the base models with exception to Outdoorsman and Rebel and missing out on the fun tech stuff. They missed on that transfer case and they know it too I believe the 2019s don’t have that 44-44 it has been discontinued for the future gens. You might be able to get it in a classic.

People don’t like being lied to so I am sure many are more upset then me if they bought them.
 

RLJ10X

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It's 2019, and I'm offended. Must be the new normal.

I have Brandon's switch in my 44-44, and it works perfectly. It is quite reasonably priced, and is plug and play. Yes, it's a clutch system. But there are clutches in a whole lot of things, and they work perfectly for years.

If you have enough traction with Brandon's switch to make the clutch slip, you should not be in 4 lock. When I first played around with Brandon's switch in wet grass and gravel, I'd have sworn I had a front locker. It feels that much different.

These trucks are too big, heavy, and long to do any serious off reading. They'll sell a Wrangler to you if that's your forte.
 

buddy guy

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I can’t speak for others but I personally didn’t buy a ram with a 44-44. I wouldn’t either.

I don’t own a Ram at the moment but been on head a long time and try to participate when I can. This issue has been upsetting to many for a long time. The normal consumer wouldn’t know they bought a “fake” until it was too late. This isn’t Target and you can’t really return vehicles in most instances. Complicating the issue more is they put the 44-44 in the higher end trims. The ones that most people like Big Horn and up. So until someone came out with a way to modify them you were stuck choosing the other stuff you want and crappy transfer case or the base models with exception to Outdoorsman and Rebel and missing out on the fun tech stuff. They missed on that transfer case and they know it too I believe the 2019s don’t have that 44-44 it has been discontinued for the future gens. You might be able to get it in a classic.

People don’t like being lied to so I am sure many are more upset then me if they bought them.

@smiley wait...you're on a Ram forum, you're a Ram Super Moderator and you have a Ram in your signature! But you don't have a Ram? How do you not get kicked out of the Great Guild of Moderators for such a thing? :dogpile:
 

smiley

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@smiley wait...you're on a Ram forum, you're a Ram Super Moderator and you have a Ram in your signature! But you don't have a Ram? How do you not get kicked out of the Great Guild of Moderators for such a thing? :dogpile:

Sold my Ram last summer as I ran out of room for my family. I sold it to a friend so I can still keep track of it. I still love Ram just don’t own one right now. I do maintain my Dad’s on the farm which is the black one in my signature.
 

chrisbh17

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This is an interesting thread in that so many are so knowledgeable and know exactly what they want and declare that the 44-44 is terrible and a piece of crap.

What runs through my mind is why then did you buy a truck with the 44-44? Hopefully, with all your knowledge, you don't answer you didn't know it had a 44-44 or didn't know the 44-44 was clutch driven.

Aside from all that, I like my 44-44, but I'm no longer an "offroader" except on hunting or fishing trips. I'm surprised no one mentioned the truck's failure, because of ESC and TCS system, to get out of a deep mud bog or when stuck in the snow. IMO that's worse than the clutch driven transfer case. I know, you can disable the system when in 4WD Low, but you have to be stopped to do it. Have you ever been in a deep mud bog? You don't want to stop.

To disable the ESC and TCS system on the fly I modified the F26 fuse link. Now my SFT tune automatically disables the system when in any 4WD mode.
To make the 44-44 act like a 44-45 I installed Brandon's switch (see post above).

I'm saying all this to help your pain, there are ways to make it do what you want.

Cheers! Enjoy your 1500.
Because FCA forces the 44-44 on any trim level other than express or outdoorsman (and maybe rebel)

So, big horn, limited, etc get it, for those of us that wanted a better equipped truck, the choice was 44-44 or another brand truck

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Tim Garceau

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The 48-11 is the latest and greatest so no need to beat on these 44-45/44-44 dead horses.

Couldn’t imagine having to switch back and forth during rainy/slushy/snowy conditions, the auto transfer case works fantastic for my luxury commuting application. It launches mid 4’s 0-60 pretty well too.
 

John Jensen

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I thought the 44-44 only clutch operated the front differential. Some of the posters say or imply that both the front and rear differentials are clutch operated.

Here are two videos where Brandon is demonstrating the clutch slipping the front wheels and his lockout switch effect. Notice that the rear wheels are not "skipping" which tells me the rear differential is not clutch operated. What say you? Anyone?


 

Tim Garceau

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So the switch removes the TCS/Stab which any tuner can do...

The engineers have done more testing than any combined people on this site, this just digs you into the ground to be stuck quicker. Could start by getting real all terrain tires and it’s a moot point aha.
 

chrisbh17

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So the switch removes the TCS/Stab which any tuner can do...

The engineers have done more testing than any combined people on this site, this just digs you into the ground to be stuck quicker. Could start by getting real all terrain tires and it’s a moot point aha.

No, the switch does more than that.

Not sure if it was in that post but Brandon did make a video of the 44-44 "working" with the traction control system disabled. It still messes up.

Personally I think its an issue with 4WD, traction control, ABS, stabilization and the limited slip all running into each other. The computer senses slip, corrects it how it thinks it needs to, but at the same time slip is what mechanically causes the 44-44 to send power to the front. So you see the front get some power, but once the rest of the systems account for the slip, the 44-44 "ball ramp" gets unloaded and the front loses power. Then the cycle repeats and is why you see the fronts toggle from power to no power to power, etc.

Brandons setup tells the electromagnetic clutch to be "full send" all the time. It basically locks the fronts into power regardless of what is going on elsewhere. The clutches can handle the power, the reason they die prematurely is that toggling on/off/on/off, etc. That makes friction, friction makes heat, overheated clutches die a premature death.

Similar setups have been used in other trucks and SUVs for a long time and never showed issues like this. I truly think its just a stupid programming thing from FCA.
 
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