4WD High always shows Axle lock. No button to turn off lock?

[Moosewyo]

I’ve got a 2022 Ram 2500 Limited. It does not have an axle lock button and has three settings of 2WD, 4WD High, and 4WD Low.

When I put it in 4WD High it shows on the dash 4WD Lock.

So my question is where can you turn off the axle lock? The conditions I typically drive in require some 4WD but not a locked axle and it’s frustrating.

Surly Ram wouldnt force you to always have the axle locked so I’ve gotta be missing a piece of the puzzle here and the manual says nothing about it.

 

[diymirage]

nope they do and whatever stepuncle is now running mopar really dropped the ball on this
it ****** me off to no end, id hate to admit it, but this was one area where the superdookie was better designed then the ram

 

[Moosewyo]

That really sucks. I don’t need axle lock. It’s almost as dumb as not having a manual regen option

 

[crash68]

When I put it in 4WD High it shows on the dash 4WD Lock.

I think only the Power Wagon has the option for Locking differential, all other 2500s have an anti-spin rear differential as an option.

Enter your VIN number here: https://fcagroup.my.site.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing
(use all capital letters)
This will give you a build sheet of your truck, you can see what differential option your truck was built with from the factory.

 

[Moosewyo]

I think only the Power Wagon has the option for Locking differential, all other 2500s have an anti-spin rear differential as an option.

Enter your VIN number here: https://fcagroup.my.site.com/RAM/s/equipment-listing
(use all capital letters)
This will give you a build sheet of your truck, you can see what differential option your truck was built with from the factory.

 

[crash68]

@Moosewyo that picture you posted looks to be the standard features section of the list, look further down for the Optimal Equipment section. Although it lists both axles there you most likely have open differentials front and rear if there isn't an anti-spin differential listed.

 

[olyelr]

Pretty sure the “lock” just means its in 4-high. Not necessarily a “locked” axle. Aside from the power wagon, i think the only other ram hd model that offers a locker is the rebel, and its rear only. Pretty sure my power wagon shows 4wd lock on the dash also, even without the lockers engaged.

Just put in 4wd and drive on

 

[Docwagon1776]

I’ve got a 2022 Ram 2500 Limited. It does not have an axle lock button and has three settings of 2WD, 4WD High, and 4WD Low.

When I put it in 4WD High it shows on the dash 4WD Lock.

So my question is where can you turn off the axle lock? The conditions I typically drive in require some 4WD but not a locked axle and it’s frustrating.

Surly Ram wouldnt force you to always have the axle locked so I’ve gotta be missing a piece of the puzzle here and the manual says nothing about it.

It's not locking an axle. It's locked in 4wd, as distinct from 4wd auto where it can switch from 4wd and 2wd automatically based on detected slippage. Ram's transfer cases either allow for an actual mechanical lockup (like yours) or a clutch lockup for auto, but not both. Ford offers a transfer case that has both an auto and a lock setting.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Pretty sure the “lock” just means its in 4-high. Not necessarily a “locked” axle. Aside from the power wagon, i think the only other ram hd model that offers a locker is the rebel, and its rear only. Pretty sure my power wagon shows 4wd lock on the dash also, even without the lockers engaged.

Just put in 4wd and drive on

Yup, and the axles won't lock in 4 high, only 4 low.

 

[diymirage]

Pretty sure the “lock” just means its in 4-high. Not necessarily a “locked” axle. Aside from the power wagon, i think the only other ram hd model that offers a locker is the rebel, and its rear only. Pretty sure my power wagon shows 4wd lock on the dash also, even without the lockers engaged.

Just put in 4wd and drive on

i know for a fact that on my '17 4-high locks the front axle
you can tell everytime to take a turn, it does the skip to try and get the one wheel to catch up

 

[oledirteh]

i know for a fact that on my '17 4-high locks the front axle
you can tell everytime to take a turn, it does the skip to try and get the one wheel to catch up

thats not locked. thats 1 tire spinning faster then the other on a turn and the diff is unloading. aka basic 4x4. if it was locked you would know.

 

[olyelr]

Yup, and the axles won't lock in 4 high, only 4 low.

Im well aware, i was just saying that my power wagon also says 4wd lock on the dash even if the lockers arnt engaged.

 

[olyelr]

i know for a fact that on my '17 4-high locks the front axle
you can tell everytime to take a turn, it does the skip to try and get the one wheel to catch up

Nope. Not unless you have a power wagon and you engage the lockers. Otherwise its just an open diff.

 

[Docwagon1776]

Im well aware, i was just saying that my power wagon also says 4wd lock on the dash even if the lockers arnt engaged.

I'm sure you are, but the OP obviously isn't. Just pointing out that even in trucks with locking axles, the axles don't lock when the truck is in 4H like he thinks his is.

 

[Docwagon1776]

i know for a fact that on my '17 4-high locks the front axle
you can tell everytime to take a turn, it does the skip to try and get the one wheel to catch up

No, it just locks the transfer case. You now have a situation where one rear wheel and one front wheel have to be turning at the same speed. Since a sharp turn will mean the rear and the front wheels are covering different distances in the same amount of time their speed cannot be equal and you'll be scuffing.

If your front axle was actually locked, you wouldn't be turning much at all. It'll just push.

Edit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkA9_vjQGhE has a good visual of why locking the transfer case causes scuffing on curves at about the 2:40 mark. Good overall video as well to help understand axle lock and why it's not used at anything other than low speeds (unless you want to break stuff).

 

[RamDiver]

Im well aware, i was just saying that my power wagon also says 4wd lock on the dash even if the lockers arnt engaged.

My Warlock 4WD button is called the same, as is the EVIC display, IIRC.
Both have '4wd-Lock' but I understand how an open diff and lockers work.

.

 

[olyelr]

I'm sure you are, but the OP obviously isn't. Just pointing out that even in trucks with locking axles, the axles don't lock when the truck is in 4H like he thinks his is.

He dosnt even have lockers.

 

[Docwagon1776]

He dosnt even have lockers.

We are on the same page, hence my statement: "... even in trucks with locking axles"

OP doesn't have lockers (and neither does Diymirage unless he's added aftermarket ones) *But even if they did* they wouldn't engage in 4-hi with the OEM set up. It won't let you lock the front until you are in 4-lo.

 

[crazy jerry]

Pretty sure the “lock” just means its in 4-high.

glad you beat me to it. i dont have the patience explaining this simple stuff to people

 

[man n black]

We are on the same page, hence my statement: "... even in trucks with locking axles"

OP doesn't have lockers (and neither does Diymirage unless he's added aftermarket ones) *But even if they did* they wouldn't engage in 4-hi with the OEM set up. It won't let you lock the front until you are in 4-lo.

^^^^^^THIS^^^^^^^

The only way to get truly locking differentials is to have a PW, upgrade your non PW truck to PW electric locking diffs (very expensive) or some other aftermarket solution.

My truck has an airlocker in the front Dana 60...It is handy and effective. I can lock it in 4 HI and it is extremely noticeable...as in...the truck ONLY wants to go straight when its engaged.

Ch