4WD reliability vs 2WD

[BlownGP]

So, I've always had 2wd trucks and live in the south. We got plenty of mud holes and swamps but I don't like getting my truck dirty. haaha

I want a new Ram and found a good deal 4x4 Ram in the color, year, miles I want.

Is there any more maintenance or reliability issues with 4WD?
I did read on here that the front diff, transfer case and rear diff use THREE different fluids. That's kinda crazy.

Who knows, maybe I might get this one muddy a few times. lol

Thanks

 

[BWL]

I find my front diff and transfer cases need oil changes more frequently than the rear, but not like they hold a lot of fluid. If a transfer case does go they're readily available used for smallish money and fairly easy to change. Doubt my last truck cost me more than 1000 over the 270,000+ kms I put on it in front diff and transfer case maintenance, but it does cost extra.

 

[CVX20]

The T-case with 4WD Auto can have it's issues but overall 4WD's used properly are just as reliable as a 2WD.Other than a couple more fluids to change periodically there really is no issue.I've had one that had 300 k miles on it when I sold(still working good) it and still had all the original 4WD parts other than the front axle actuator.
BTW Where I live a 4WD is worth twice as much as a 2WD,new and used.

 

[Quyonmob]

Modern 2wd trucks are almost impossible to find in my area due to the climate. Reliability is on par with 2wd if you leave it stock. The temptation with 4wd is always to slap on wide wheels, a spacer level, then eat the bearings faster than normal.

Additional cost for fluids is pretty negligible over the life of the vehicle, they aren’t frequent changes.

 

[62Blazer]

Modern 4wd trucks have very little additional failures of the 4wd system, and there is very little additional maintenance. The biggest thing is that 4wd trucks usually spend the vast majority of their life running around in 2wd so very little stress and wear on the 4wd specific components. I've had 4wd trucks ever since I got my license 30 years ago and have only had a few minor 4wd specific issues. My last truck had 150,000 miles on it and the only 4wd specific issue was the transfer case shifter linkage rusting off....it had several other rust related issues besides that. For maintenance I changed the transfer case fluid 3-4 times (2 quarts of ATF and 20 minutes) and changed the front axle fluid maybe twice.

 

[LeesEvoX]

So, I've always had 2wd trucks and live in the south. We got plenty of mud holes and swamps but I don't like getting my truck dirty. haaha

I want a new Ram and found a good deal 4x4 Ram in the color, year, miles I want.

Is there any more maintenance or reliability issues with 4WD?
I did read on here that the front diff, transfer case and rear diff use THREE different fluids. That's kinda crazy.

Who knows, maybe I might get this one muddy a few times. lol

Thanks

Hello from a fellow Houstonian! lol

Depending on if you tow a lot or not. The front and rear diffs can use the same fluid. 75W-90 for the front, and either 75W-90, or 75W-140 for the rear. As i said. the 140 is only needed if you tow a lot. The transfer case will just take ATF oil.

If you maintain the vehicle well. It should last just as long as the 2WD.

When i buy a used car. the first thing i do is change ALL the fluids. for stuff like Brake, and power steering. It depends on the age of the truck. if less than 2 years. i will leave it be.

But all other oils like the diff, and transfer case get changed no matter what the mileage or age is. This is because these are the oils neglected the most, and more than likely still have the factory oil in them from when it was new.

As these oils are to lubricate gears. When the truck is brand new it will have a lot of break in metals coming from said gears. if you dont change it. This crap just sits in there circulating.

My truck has maybe 12,000 miles on it when i changed the rear diff oil. And by god there was a lot of metal build up on the locker magnets. Not as much on the front, but still there.

 

[Quint]

My little thought is to make sure that you actually engage the 4x4 every once in a while. Things that don't get used tend to have problems. Even in the summers up here, I will once a month throw it into 4x4 on a straight patch just to keep everything moving, or do it somewhere off-road in the wet grass.

 

[BlownGP]

Some great info guys.

Changing more fluid is not a big deal. I do all my own oil changes anyways.
I was just wondering about since the 4WD has more parts that would wear down and need to be replaced meaning and extra cost over a 2WD.

 

[BlownGP]

The T-case with 4WD Auto can have it's issues but overall 4WD's used properly are just as reliable as a 2WD.Other than a couple more fluids to change periodically there really is no issue.I've had one that had 300 k miles on it when I sold(still working good) it and still had all the original 4WD parts other than the front axle actuator.
BTW Where I live a 4WD is worth twice as much as a 2WD,new and used.

This one has the auto T-case. What issues do they have?

Hello from a fellow Houstonian! lol

Depending on if you tow a lot or not. The front and rear diffs can use the same fluid. 75W-90 for the front, and either 75W-90, or 75W-140 for the rear. As i said. the 140 is only needed if you tow a lot. The transfer case will just take ATF oil.

If you maintain the vehicle well. It should last just as long as the 2WD.

When i buy a used car. the first thing i do is change ALL the fluids. for stuff like Brake, and power steering. It depends on the age of the truck. if less than 2 years. i will leave it be.

But all other oils like the diff, and transfer case get changed no matter what the mileage or age is. This is because these are the oils neglected the most, and more than likely still have the factory oil in them from when it was new.

As these oils are to lubricate gears. When the truck is brand new it will have a lot of break in metals coming from said gears. if you dont change it. This crap just sits in there circulating.

My truck has maybe 12,000 miles on it when i changed the rear diff oil. And by god there was a lot of metal build up on the locker magnets. Not as much on the front, but still there.

Yup, I do the same thing. I like knowing all the fluids are good and done by me so they are right.

Thanks for the advice.

 

[HEMIMANN]

Nope. I've run 4WD trucks up here in the north since 1991. Not a single issue.

They've got it down pat - unless you get an occasional lemon like any system could be. And unless they start "value engineering" them. Ram uses AAM axles which are really good. I worry about Fiat cheapening everything, though.

Go for it. You might even find new uses - pulling boats from steeper / slick ramps, mud bogging, who knows?

 

[ram1500rsm]

Don't get the one with the "auto" transfer case and it'll be easier to maintain, get the one with the 44-45 transfer case. no clutches to burn and takes atf+4 fluid instead of the Mopar mystery transfer case fluid .

 

[Wild one]

So, I've always had 2wd trucks and live in the south. We got plenty of mud holes and swamps but I don't like getting my truck dirty. haaha

I want a new Ram and found a good deal 4x4 Ram in the color, year, miles I want.

Is there any more maintenance or reliability issues with 4WD?
I did read on here that the front diff, transfer case and rear diff use THREE different fluids. That's kinda crazy.

Who knows, maybe I might get this one muddy a few times. lol

Thanks

The CV axles are usually the only things that might give you issues,but if it's more of a pavement princess then an off road princess,and spends most of it's time in 2wheel drive,good chance they won't even give you any trouble.

 

[BlownGP]

Don't get the one with the "auto" transfer case and it'll be easier to maintain, get the one with the 44-45 transfer case. no clutches to burn and takes atf+4 fluid instead of the Mopar mystery transfer case fluid .

Well I googled 44-45 and this swap came up.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/bw-44-44-to-bw-44-45-swap.132570/

Looks like every says the 44-44 T case clutches will eventually go. That's not too settling.

 

[ram1500rsm]

Well I googled 44-45 and this swap came up.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/bw-44-44-to-bw-44-45-swap.132570/

Looks like every says the 44-44 T case clutches will eventually go. That's not too settling.

If you already got one with the 44-44, then just get the lock switch from @Brandon-w. problem solved at least for longer

 

[Brandon-w]

If you already got one with the 44-44, then just get the lock switch from @Brandon-w. problem solved at least for longer

I Havnt blown mine up yet, God knows I've tried though lol if the t case is already fried the switch will not help your situation any.

And also a big heads up the 44-45 has the same clutches as the 44-44 but the 44-45 has a manual engage with zero electronic assist VS the slow electronic clutch killing controlled engagement of the 44-44.

Sent from my SM-G981W using Tapatalk

 

[kurek]

When i buy a used car. the first thing i do is change ALL the fluids. for stuff like Brake, and power steering. It depends on the age of the truck. if less than 2 years. i will leave it be.

Yeah that's my ritual, factor it into the purchase like no matter what the vehicle is there's going to be licensing, maybe tax depending how you buy it and what state you're in, a whole shopping cart full of fluids and filters and maybe spark plugs, and a whole weekend going over everything - sometimes starting with a creeper, four cans of Scrubbing Bubbles and the pressure washer

 

[ArmyGrunt66]

My 4x4 has always worked when needed, granted I’ve only used it less then 10 times in 12 years, El Paso, Texas rarely gets snow and now I’m in Corpus Christi, Texas so the Ram hasn’t seen the beach, yet. Hearing about testing it just to make sure everything is working sounds like one of my to do’s today.

Kevin

 

[mtnrider]

Been driving 4x4's (exclusively) since 1981 and Never had an issue with a 4x4 system. Primarily solid front axle trucks but some independent front suspension trucks as well.


.

 

[pacofortacos]

I Havnt blown mine up yet, God knows I've tried though lol if the t case is already fried the switch will not help your situation any.

And also a big heads up the 44-45 has the same clutches as the 44-44 but the 44-45 has a manual engage with zero electronic assist VS the slow electronic clutch killing controlled engagement of the 44-44.

Sent from my SM-G981W using Tapatalk

I am pretty sure my 44-45 does not use the same clutches as the 44-44 tcase does.

 

[pacofortacos]

Well I googled 44-45 and this swap came up.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/bw-44-44-to-bw-44-45-swap.132570/

Looks like every says the 44-44 T case clutches will eventually go. That's not too settling.

Unless you are constantly romping it in sand or under similar conditions, I wouldn't worry about the clutches failing - most complaints aren't from absolute failure, most are from the fact that 4wd doesn't kick in until the rear wheels slip vs. the 44-45 that engages from the moment you go into 4 WD.
On the plus side you can use the 44-44 in 4 auto for changing conditions.
The 44-45 needs slippery surfaces to be used in 4WD.