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

[GP4L]

Interesting about the 4WD Lock issues stated here. I was driving in wet weather today, so I threw my truck in Auto and I couldn't get my rear tires to slip for the life of me. It almost drove as if 4WD was on lock while I had it in auto. I would take it out of 4WD and the back tires would dance without a problem. Throw it in 4WD Auto and the front tires pulled me along right off the line - even when I wasn't trying to break rear traction, I could tell my fronts were engaged. So, to add to the issues listed here, I'm not entirely sure how Auto works since mine was engaged even when I wasn't slipping.

Auto mode likely engages the front to some extent regardless of tire slip, when you're accelerating. Also the system engages extremely fast. I had ample testing in on a wet parking lot on saturday. I didn't notice a difference between Lock and Auto, however I was only able to defeat traction partially. Could definitely feel that split second of tire slip before the front really gets working.

 

[loveracing1988]

But it's not.... People are hating on it because they don't understand it, as usual.

And black2014sport, you're probably right on the money with what you heard. Know what other vehicle operates the same exactly way, with tremendous success? The Subaru WRX STi, since the early 2000's.

No, people are hating on it because it is a horrible design. Ask yourself, what is the advantage of the design change? What makes this transfer case better than the new venture unit it replaced, a transfer case that had 4 auto that functioned like it should, and 4 lock that actually locked. What was wrong with that design?
You bring up another good point. All along everyone has said this design works great for cars but it is not for trucks. It works fine in subaru cars, it doesn't belong in trucks.

 

[smiley]

4x4 problem Ram 2013 8-speed

Ice does not care if it is supposedly fast engaging anyway. It is already too late when you are fish tailing.

 

[black14sport]

Well I had a fantastic video on my phone of how ****** this system works when trying to back a trailer up wet grass (reverse is worse for some reason) but it was too long and then my phone got messed up and erased all my stuff from my sd card. Even under decent throttle it makes no difference, and ram verified it as well, the rear wheels MUST SLIP a certain predetermined amount before the clutch engages in 4lock and low. Then it is true 50-50 front-rear power. Auto mode is similar but it engages quicker and will progressively give the front more or less power dependant on what the computer thinks you need according to individual wheel speed. That's how it is designed to work. It might be fine in a rice rocket but for a 6000lb truck backing up or pulling a 2-4000lb trailer on wet grass is complete junk.it's not opinion it is fact. It does not work practical.period. WHY IS THIS SO REPETITIVE!!!????

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[Sportram1500]

I just posted this on another thread but I am going to post it here to.
"So today I was backing up over a pretty high curb and back tires went up pretty easy. When i started to ease the front tires up the curb my back wheels started spinning. i put truck in 4low and the truck climbed right up the curb with no spinning at all. I thought the fronts were not supposed to lock until the backs spin. Am i wrong?"

 

[loveracing1988]

I just posted this on another thread but I am going to post it here to.
"So today I was backing up over a pretty high curb and back tires went up pretty easy. When i started to ease the front tires up the curb my back wheels started spinning. i put truck in 4low and the truck climb right up the curb with no spinning at all. I thought the front were not supposed to lock until the backs spin. Am i wrong?"

There are a select few out there that the clutch air gap is at the lower end of the spec so the delay isn't even noticeable, you must be one of those people.

 

[Andy578]

There are a select few out there that the clutch air gap is at the lower end of the spec so the delay isn't even noticeable, you must be one of those people.

either that or he simply didn't spin due to being in low

 

[black14sport]

either that or he simply didn't spin due to being in low

4low does not matter it still performs the same way.

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[6.7CumminsDrvr]

Biggest issue for me is Ram flat misleads folks about how the on demand case works. No where in the manual or any of their literature does it state anything about the rear tires needing to slip before power is sent to the front. In fact, their literature plainly states that when in 4 lock it operates the same as the other tcase, and THERE IS THE ISSUE. This is completely wrong, the other case actually locks and stays locked. There would be no issues or problems if the operation of the on demand case was explained truthfully and customers actually knew what they were getting.

I am an avid offroader, have been for years. I understand how these cases work and believe me, it does not operate as stated in any literature available when shopping for the truck. I'd venture to say most know how the 44-44 case works by looking it up from Borg Warner then having the "oh, now I see" revalation followed by anger after learning you were lied too.

 

[iam_canadian22]

Well I had a fantastic video on my phone of how ****** this system works when trying to back a trailer up wet grass (reverse is worse for some reason) but it was too long and then my phone got messed up and erased all my stuff from my sd card. Even under decent throttle it makes no difference, and ram verified it as well, the rear wheels MUST SLIP a certain predetermined amount before the clutch engages in 4lock and low. Then it is true 50-50 front-rear power. Auto mode is similar but it engages quicker and will progressively give the front more or less power dependant on what the computer thinks you need according to individual wheel speed. That's how it is designed to work. It might be fine in a rice rocket but for a 6000lb truck backing up or pulling a 2-4000lb trailer on wet grass is complete junk.it's not opinion it is fact. It does not work practical.period. WHY IS THIS SO REPETITIVE!!!????

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Exactly, pulling away in snow ice with a heavy trailer is what cause my transfercase high temp warning to go off which resulted in needing a new case

 

[7777xm]

So we do know that this is an issue. Has anyone actually talked to a class action attorney?

This transfer case is the only thing I dislike about my truck. Granted mine for the most part does not slip as much as the others for it looks but it does slip sometimes.

My in-laws have those half curb driveway things that leads to the grass. When I back in in my front wheels get to that curb thingy, in 4 wheel lock and 4 low, my back tires will spin and create a little run before my front engage. I actually have to give it a decent app of the throttle to get it to engage and then it will lunge backwards instead of creep like I intended.

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[Johnnyjet]

Ok so,basically I have a Subaru a really big Subaru

 

[loveracing1988]

Ok so,basically I have a Subaru a really big Subaru

With low range!

 

[Paluby]

Okay so definitely didn't look through all 51 pages so I apologize in advance if it's been addressed. When I have my truck in 4wd and I come to a stop either lightly or hard a split second before I stop I get this lurch/jerk and then I stop. Any idea what would cause it? Stopping in 2wd everything is smooth all the way to a stop.

 

[Andy578]

4low does not matter it still performs the same way.

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i mean simply due to the low gearing not 4x4. in low even if the front doesn't engage the wheels don't usually spin excessively like they would in the higher gearing. you also have to consider he may have dug down enough spinning before that when he changed to low he was already able to get more traction

Okay so definitely didn't look through all 51 pages so I apologize in advance if it's been addressed. When I have my truck in 4wd and I come to a stop either lightly or hard a split second before I stop I get this lurch/jerk and then I stop. Any idea what would cause it? Stopping in 2wd everything is smooth all the way to a stop.

do you have the 8 speed? if so it's a known issue with them but i haven't really heard of it being worse in 4wd, actually most have reported it being better

 

[GP4L]

No, people are hating on it because it is a horrible design. Ask yourself, what is the advantage of the design change? What makes this transfer case better than the new venture unit it replaced, a transfer case that had 4 auto that functioned like it should, and 4 lock that actually locked. What was wrong with that design?
You bring up another good point. All along everyone has said this design works great for cars but it is not for trucks. It works fine in subaru cars, it doesn't belong in trucks.

I respectfully disagree about it being a horrible design. It actually functions great. It's been wet and slippery around chicago this week, and 4WD Auto has been keeping traction very well. What I will say is, all the effort BW put into the 44-44's operation - I would have liked to see a mechanical locker, to bypass the clutch when "Lock" is selected - like you said. I think the lack of up-front information about how the 44-44 functions was a terrible marketing strategy.

Ice does not care if it is supposedly fast engaging anyway. It is already too late when you are fish tailing.

So, are you saying "true" 4WD will prevent you from losing control on ice?

 

[GP4L]

do you have the 8 speed? if so it's a known issue with them but i haven't really heard of it being worse in 4wd, actually most have reported it being better

More drivetrain to shock when 4WD is engaged.

 

[smiley]

So, are you saying "true" 4WD will prevent you from losing control on ice?

By having it locked it helps tremendously. It won't prevent all slippage but it helps keep the truck from fishtailing. Auto sensing is garbage for those conditions. I have older style Auto transfer case and it is not great for ice either. Locking it in prevents a lot of slipping. I also have auburn in the back so that could be a factor as a peg leg is better on ice really. You can defend the design but it is not a good one especially without option to choose whether it is equipped with it or not. A person who wants one of the fancier trims now has to get the BW garbage or go to a 2500.

 

[black14sport]

It's the 44-45 that is garbage. And yes the lack of knowledge available or advertised is a HUGE part of the problem. Had I known then what I know now I would have chosen a lower trim level specifically for the 4wd as it is a huge part of my style. Not even severe off road but simply low speed on level ground in wet grass is an issue as you have to drop it down manually into first gear and keep on the throttle in order for it to stay engaged. I'm sure snow sucks as well but might not be as bad (other than it overheating) because you are usually into the throttle a lot anyways. Everyone has very different driving styles and I personally find it completely useless and an looking to trade mine on an f250 for that fact. So if anyone thinks it's awesome mine is up for sale.

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[loveracing1988]

It's the 44-45 that is garbage. And yes the lack of knowledge available or advertised is a HUGE part of the problem. Had I known then what I know now I would have chosen a lower trim level specifically for the 4wd as it is a huge part of my style. Not even severe off road but simply low speed on level ground in wet grass is an issue as you have to drop it down manually into first gear and keep on the throttle in order for it to stay engaged. I'm sure snow sucks as well but might not be as bad (other than it overheating) because you are usually into the throttle a lot anyways. Everyone has very different driving styles and I personally find it completely useless and an looking to trade mine on an f250 for that fact. So if anyone thinks it's awesome mine is up for sale.

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No, it is the 44-44 that is the on demand transfer case.