4x4 problem Ram 2013+ 8-speed 44-44 transfer case

[7777xm]

ESC off will turn back to partial mode at 40 mph. Once vehicle speed hits 35 or lower, ESC is off again. It automatically partially enables and disables itself depending on speed after the initial ESC off mode has been initiated.

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[smiley]

Back to the main point however it doesn't lock....

 

[TerraNewf]

How is it that FCA doesn't offer the 44-45 TC in the upper trim levels? Not even an option when factory ordering.

 

[Hemi395]

Because the 44-44 is the "premium" transfer case

 

[TerraNewf]

Because the 44-44 is the "premium" transfer case

Go figure eh.........

 

[smiley]

Premium

 

[bpa88]

Went out and tested this is my new 2016 big horn. Back down the slope in my gravel drive way and engaged 4-auto. Gave a quick blip to spin the wheels and within a second or two the front wheels engaged and started pulling. Same result with 4-lock. Now 4 low was different, engaging 4-low there was an audible click/lock sound by the transfer case and a msg on the evic that tcs was off. The truck wouldn't spin the rear and pulled all 4 in the gravel.


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[loveracing1988]

Went out and tested this is my new 2016 big horn. Back down the slope in my gravel drive way and engaged 4-auto. Gave a quick blip to spin the wheels and within a second or two the front wheels engaged and started pulling. Same result with 4-lock. Now 4 low was different, engaging 4-low there was an audible click/lock sound by the transfer case and a msg on the evic that tcs was off. The truck wouldn't spin the rear and pulled all 4 in the gravel.


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The click was it shifting into low gear, nothing else.

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[bpa88]

I figured it was something along that line. Just after reading through this thread it seemed like people were having the same problem in 4-low as in 4-auto etc. I couldn't however replicate it as 4-low seemed to be locked because each time all 4 would spin compared to 4-auto or 4-hi which would allow the back wheels to slip a bit before engaging the fronts


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[loveracing1988]

I figured it was something along that line. Just after reading through this thread it seemed like people were having the same problem in 4-low as in 4-auto etc. I couldn't however replicate it as 4-low seemed to be locked because each time all 4 would spin compared to 4-auto or 4-hi which would allow the back wheels to slip a bit before engaging the fronts


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The trick is take it on dry pavement in 4 low, see if it binds.

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[Hemi395]

I can do figure 8s on dry pavement in 4Low and it doesn't bind...

 

[bpa88]

Gotcha, I'll have to give that a try tomorrow


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[clh1220]

I can do figure 8s on dry pavement on 4Low and it doesn't bind...

He is right about that, if the rears don't break loose it won't engage the front. I don't think that means your going to get stuck with that case though. Only thing I can see that would give you a real problem, would be rock climbing and maybe backing up a trailer up a hill on a slicker surface. This is my third case like this. I've had over 10 4wd. I have had no problems with it.

 

[baydog]

What is the difference between these two?

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So, wait for the next snow storm, and find a vacant lot. Lock that baby in 4 low, and wait for the message on the dash. Next, hammer the throttle and throw that truck around in a donut and see if the traction control takes over........It will. That will get you in a pickle when off road and you need to slide your truck to get aligned with an outlet to a sticky situation. Those that are not having problems with this transfer case are lucky that they don't really need 4 wheel dive. They only use it at their will. Those of use that have been USING 4x4 trucks for the last thirty or more years understand that this transfer case sucks.

 

[7777xm]

So, wait for the next snow storm, and find a vacant lot. Lock that baby in 4 low, and wait for the message on the dash. Next, hammer the throttle and throw that truck around in a donut and see if the traction control takes over........It will. That will get you in a pickle when off road and you need to slide your truck to get aligned with an outlet to a sticky situation. Those that are not having problems with this transfer case are lucky that they don't really need 4 wheel dive. They only use it at their will. Those of use that have been USING 4x4 trucks for the last thirty or more years understand that this transfer case sucks.

I do 4wd drifts all the time. As long as wheel spokes stays below 40, ESC remains off.

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[Hemi395]

He is right about that, if the rears don't break loose it won't engage the front. I don't think that means your going to get stuck with that case though. Only thing I can see that would give you a real problem, would be rock climbing and maybe backing up a trailer up a hill on a slicker surface. This is my third case like this. I've had over 10 4wd. I have had no problems with it.

Had to do this a couple years ago with my father's dump trailer loaded with 2 tons of fill in it. He has a landscaping company and his truck, a 2004 F-150, was in the shop. This was a gravel driveway up a small incline that I have backed trailers up many times before when I used to work for him. I put it in 4Lock and the rear wheels dug into the gravel before the front wheels kicked in. Every time I let off the throttle the clutch disengaged. When I pressed the throttle again the rears had to spin before the front's kicked in again. Of course I never heard the end of how his F-150 could back it up that hill in 4wd no problem.

This is when I brought it into the dealer and was told it's working "perfectly as designed".

 

[baydog]

I do 4wd drifts all the time. As long as wheel spokes stays below 40, ESC remains off.

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Wheels get to 40 in a hurry on ice and snow.........Traction control and ESC are for morons.......Period.

 

[yillbs]

Had to do this a couple years ago with my father's dump trailer loaded with 2 tons of fill in it. He has a landscaping company and his truck, a 2004 F-150, was in the shop. This was a gravel driveway up a small incline that I have backed trailers up many times before when I used to work for him. I put it in 4Lock and the rear wheels dug into the gravel before the front wheels kicked in. Every time I let off the throttle the clutch disengaged. When I pressed the throttle again the rears had to spin before the front's kicked in again. Of course I never heard the end of how his F-150 could back it up that hill in 4wd no problem.

This is when I brought it into the dealer and was told it's working "perfectly as designed".

Your truck would be malfunctioning. If your rear tires are spinning enough to dig before the front kick in, then it's not working as designed. Not even a single full rotation should occure before the front wheels kick in, even on 4 auto.

 

[loveracing1988]

Your truck would be malfunctioning. If your rear tires are spinning enough to dig before the front kick in, then it's not working as designed. Not even a single full rotation should occure before the front wheels kick in, even on 4 auto.

Ok, so if his truck is actually malfunctioning what is the solution? The dealers won't touch them because eventually the clutch does engage and ram customer care just agrees with the dealer because they are "factory trained".

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[Hemi395]

Your truck would be malfunctioning. If your rear tires are spinning enough to dig before the front kick in, then it's not working as designed. Not even a single full rotation should occure before the front wheels kick in, even on 4 auto.

It doesn't take that much wheel spin to dig in on a thick gravel driveway when you have two tons of fill in a trailer. That's the whole reason I put it in 4Lock so the front and rear wheels would turn together and be "locked".

So yes you're right there wasn't that much rear wheel spin before the front wheels engaged. However the point here is ANY rear wheel spin before the front's engage in this situation is too much spin.