2013 Ram Big Horn 1500 4x4 info needed asap

[dss56]

I took a 2013 Ram Big Horn for a test drive today. I tried the 4x4 in 4 wheel lock. Should I get some type of binding when in 4x4 lock I tried in a parking lot going slow and turning the wheels.
My 2004 ram 4x4 if on dry pavement and in 4x4 it will bind trying to turn.

The Big Horn i tried in a parking lot on dry pavement and it seemed to be a bit different but not like my 2004.

Should I get the same results?

thanks

 

[Ken226]

No.

The 2013 Ram BigHorn is equipped with the torque on demand Borg Warner 44-44 transfer case.

The 44-44 is computer controlled, and uses a electronically controlled clutch pack.

When turning, the front wheels track around a larger radius than the rear wheels and in doing so, a mechanical ballramp mechanism in the transfer case releases the compressive forces in the clutch pack, hence

No binding.

Search for BW44-44 on this forum. Youll find several weeks worth of reading material on the hate/love/indifference of the bw44-44.

 

[dss56]

So no binding I did try in parking lot and did feel a change just a bit i'm use to my 2004 4x4 binding if I forget to take out of 4 wheel and make a turn on dry pavement

 

[Ken226]

So no binding I did try in parking lot and did feel a change just a bit i'm use to my 2004 4x4 binding if I forget to take out of 4 wheel and make a turn on dry pavement

Basically, the 44-44 is great for limited, mixed ice/snow/rain. It is good for a truck thats used for commuting, and you can safely let the wife drive it without blowing up your transfer case.

But,

For serious truck use, off roading, sand and mud use, it can cause trouble.

The rear wheels gotta spin a little bit before the front wheels engage. Even in 4 lock. For some, the fron engages seamlessly and for others, the rear wheels gotta spin a few turns first.

Some have had trouble with the clutch pack overheating in soft deep sand, due to constant engage/disengage cycling.

But, no binding is normal for that truck.

 

[dss56]

I plan On using the truck for plowing as I did with my 2004 ram. I'm not a person to beat on a truck plowed 9 years with the 04 and never had a problem.

Thanks for the info on the 4x4 for the 2013

 

[Ken226]

I plan On using the truck for plowing as I did with my 2004 ram. I'm not a person to beat on a truck plowed 9 years with the 04 and never had a problem.

Thanks for the info on the 4x4 for the 2013

You should definitely read up on the bw44-44 then.

Plowing is hard on the clutch pack. Rockland Standard Gear designed a kit to do away with the clutch pack specifically because people were destroying bw44-44 transfer cases plowing snow. Unfortunately, they never got the computer part of it dialed in.

Theres a 44-44 to 44-45 transfer case swap thread in the DIY forum thats worth reading through.

If your planning to plow, id look for a truck with the bw44-45 (no 4auto on the switch), or a 2500. The 2500 has the 44-46, which is tough as nails.

I beleive some of the 1500 tradesman, outdoorsman and rebel models had the 44-45.

The higher trim packages, Laramie, Sport, Big Horn has the auto (44-44) transfer case.

 

[dss56]

I would never use the 4 auto i would use 2wd or 4 wheel lock I would have no use for the 4 wheel auto to kick in. Like I said I dont do big lots just residential driveways nothing big if this info helps.

I take my time plowing no beating on the truck.

I appreciate you filling me in on the 4x4 system in the 2013 Its a good price for the truck fully loaded and I called fisher plow and they said no problem putting a plow on the truck.

I just need the truck side push plates and wiring harness. I already have my 7.5foot blade from the 2004

 

[Ken226]

Im not trying to dissuade you at all.

With so much info available though, theres no reason to go into it with anything less than complete info. Heres one of the many threads on the 4 auto/4 lock differences.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/difference-between-4-auto-and-4-lock.138191/

 

[muddy12]

I would never use the 4 auto i would use 2wd or 4 wheel lock I would have no use for the 4 wheel auto to kick in....................

With the 44-44, the difference between 4auto, and 4 lock, is so minor that, as far as plowing is concerned, they are the same.

Not sure how much of those other threads you have read, but here’s an over-simplified description of how the 44-44 works.
There is an electromagnet, and a ball-ramp, that both have to engage in order to compress the clutch pack. All of this has to happen in order for power to be sent to the front wheels.

In 2wd, the electromagnet is off, which basically “locks out” the ball ramp.
In 4auto, the electromagnet is activated by the computer, when it detects slip in the rear wheels.
In 4lock, the electromagnet is on all the time. However, even though the magnet is on, it still takes some rear slip to get the ball ramp to turn enough to compress the clutches.

Guess that was a long winded way of saying that with the 44-44 case, regardless of the setting(excluding 2wd) you run the risk of over heating the clutches with the constant forward/reverse movement that plowing often requires.



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