Add 4wheel auto?

[eric wright]

Maybe a dumb question can you add 4wd auto to a standard 4wd truck

 

[muddy12]

Requires, at minimum, a new T-case(44-44), new switch, and may require programming.


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[eric wright]

Yah I was thinking that

 

[Ricks Ram]

Maybe a dumb question can you add 4wd auto to a standard 4wd truck

If you're talking about the 4th gen 1500 trucks you definitely would want to do your homework before you decided to replace your non auto system with the auto. The non auto 44-45 system is is a direct drive system. When you put your truck in 4WD its locked in 4WD. The 44-44 auto system never actually locks into 4WD no matter what selection you change the dial too. It's a clutch activated system that has to detect rear wheel spin before it engages the front differential. They are known to not be nearly as durable as the 44-45 you currently have and have been known to overheat and fry the clutches if pressed to hard in some conditions. This is why the 4th gen Rebel plus the Outdoorsman are equipped with the non auto transfer case. Long story short yes you can change it by building a conversion harness and enabling the correct codes in the BCM and installing a 44-44 transfer case but most people are going the other direction. You can search YouTube and find videos people have posted showing the front tires not even spinning in snow and ice even the truck says its in 4WD lock.

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[crash68]

I bet @Brandon-w might have insight on this, plus you'll want his transfer case lock up switch for the BW44-44

 

[Brandon-w]

Yeah it's possible to have 4 auto, you'd need a 44-44 t case, alfaobd to set the t case to the auto style and the auto switch but yes it's possible and not so hard to do. You however cannot make your current 44-45 t case an auto you'd be grinding gears and stretching chains doing that on and off. As crash said above as well I have a switch the locks the 44-44 t case fully as well.

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[eric wright]

Brandon are you happy with the upgrade? Is it worth it?

 

[Quyonmob]

That’s a step backwards IMO.

 

[Brandon-w]

Brandon are you happy with the upgrade? Is it worth it?

My truck came with it. If all you're doing is highways and no serious stuff the auto will be more convenient. If you like off-roading and actual traction without too much electronic interference the t case you have now is best.
My switch gives you best of both worlds but it only works on 44-44 auto case. Personally I like the case Now but before my mod me and many others cursed it. Oh and some even burned the clutches up it does have more moving parts. It comes down to function and comfort.

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[Tim Garceau]

Unless the truck is highly modified or has some other sentimental value, a trade in for a higher trim level with the 44-44 is most logical.

The auto case is fantastic for people who know how to use it as designed. Rain, sand, mud, snow, and even perfect dry conditions the 4Auto does it all without binding up.

There’s a reason base model trucks get the simple cheap case that needs buttons pushed between conditions, because it gives them a little sense of comfort since they don’t have any other features.

 

[Quyonmob]

Unless the truck is highly modified or has some other sentimental value, a trade in for a higher trim level with the 44-44 is most logical.

The auto case is fantastic for people who know how to use it as designed. Rain, sand, mud, snow, and even perfect dry conditions the 4Auto does it all without binding up.

There’s a reason base model trucks get the simple cheap case that needs buttons pushed between conditions, because it gives them a little sense of comfort since they don’t have any other features.

Gen 4 Outdoorsman trim disagrees. It’s simple marketing. Your average buyer of high trim levels isn’t putting it in fleet or off rod service.

Same point could be could be argued that the 44-45 works fantastic for people who actually know how to use four wheel drive, not an AWD variant. But I come from manual locking hubs and syncroless stick shifts.

I would have no beef with the 44-44 if it was 100% clutch apply on 4hi/lo. Watched many a GM auto t-case get burnt due to less than 100% clutch apply in 4hi with constant use on logging roads.

The average daily driver will never notice the 44-44 not doing 100% clutch apply, but I notice it immediately in 6” plus snow.

 

[kurek]

My last 4wd had 2wd, actual AWD with a geared (full mechanical interference) center differential w/ viscous limiter, traditional 4 high and 4 low... now that is a feature I'd love to swap into my Ram.

The auto 4wd is cool too, I haven't owned an auto 4wd Ram but I expect it works the same as the BW TOD transfer case in old Isuzus, got plenty of experience driving those and they're nice but not geared center diff AWD nice. Oh well no such thing as the perfect truck!

 

[Tim Garceau]

Gen 4 Outdoorsman trim disagrees. It’s simple marketing. Your average buyer of high trim levels isn’t putting it in fleet or off rod service.

Same point could be could be argued that the 44-45 works fantastic for people who actually know how to use four wheel drive, not an AWD variant. But I come from manual locking hubs and syncroless stick shifts.

I would have no beef with the 44-44 if it was 100% clutch apply on 4hi/lo. Watched many a GM auto t-case get burnt due to less than 100% clutch apply in 4hi with constant use on logging roads.

The average daily driver will never notice the 44-44 not doing 100% clutch apply, but I notice it immediately in 6” plus snow.

Agree, use as designed and marketed. Outdoorsman and Rebel are off-road intended trucks, making the old school feel manly having to stop and “lock ‘em up” aka push a button which switches an electronic solenoid.

Or, “It can’t be tough without a lever shifter.”

Amsoil SS in my case gives me confidence with 4 auto in leaving a lot of stoplights.

 

[Ridgerunner665]

For my uses the 44-44 is fine.... the truck is an asphalt queen that mostly just pulls the boat up the ramp ...it does that just fine in 4 auto and without the hopping skipping jumping and chirping while getting turned around and lined up to back down the ramp.

I do agree....4 lock should be locked... without question.... that said, I'll never miss it in this truck... that sorta driving isn't why I bought a "luxury" truck....its only a Bighorn package, but its loaded with extra options.

And is perfect as is for what I want it to do... which is haul my lazy ass around to all the good fishing holes in comfort.

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[Quyonmob]

Agree, use as designed and marketed. Outdoorsman and Rebel are off-road intended trucks, making the old school feel manly having to stop and “lock ‘em up” aka push a button which switches an electronic solenoid.

Or, “It can’t be tough without a lever shifter.”

Amsoil SS in my case gives me confidence with 4 auto in leaving a lot of stoplights.

You don’t have to stop to engage a 44-45. I’ve engaged mine from 5mph to 40mph. Even old lever t/cases could be engaged on the move as long the the front axle was engaged first (Either by hubs or central axle disconnect).

 

[Ricks Ram]

Unless the truck is highly modified or has some other sentimental value, a trade in for a higher trim level with the 44-44 is most logical.

The auto case is fantastic for people who know how to use it as designed. Rain, sand, mud, snow, and even perfect dry conditions the 4Auto does it all without binding up.

There’s a reason base model trucks get the simple cheap case that needs buttons pushed between conditions, because it gives them a little sense of comfort since they don’t have any other features.

My truck doesn't bind up or chirp the tires if I'm in 4 Wheel Drive. I would have to be on dry pavement turned pretty much lock to lock to have that happen and obviously I don't need to put it in 4 Wheel Drive on dry pavement. The only time I might do that is when I'm launching my boat and I've never had a problem with it then either. It works flawlessly. In my opinion they put the 44-44 auto unit it the higher trim levels because they know they will rarely be used for much more than occasional snow or icy conditions which is fine. To each his own but saying a transfer case that is stronger and works better is (cheap) makes no sense. The reason they put the 44-45 in the Rebel and the Outdoorsman which are both higher trim level trucks that are more geared to off road use is simply because they are more robust and actually are a true locking system. As far as having buttons to push for different conditions making people with the 44-45 transfer case feel better statement, In reality the buttons on the 44-44 auto trucks are the ones that actually don't do anything. There is a reason people are modifying their 44-44 transfer cases to actually lock the clutches in 4 Low and 4 High and there is a reason many people have replaced them with the 44-45. It's not a cheap transfer case as you suggest. It's actually much stronger than the 44-44 and works well. If I'm driving in heavy snow or icy conditions I like knowing my truck isn't going to have to actually lose traction in order for the transfer case to kick in and its actually going to work. Just my two cents but pulling the 44-45 transfer case and installing a 44-44 transfer case in my truck would be the last thing I would do. I bought my truck specifically with the 44-45 transfer case for that reason.

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[Dr. Righteous]

I had a Grand Cherokee I installed a NP242 transfer case. It was great having a AWD mode plus 4WD mode and 2WD. I had swapped that case in to replace the crappy NP249, the full time AWD case. That swap was a breeze because there was no drive train managements. I just swapped the case and the front drive shaft. On today's truck when you go with the all automatic 4WD system, you are adding a huge layer of complexity. Because of this; even thought the systems work well, long term they are not as reliable as the basic part time 4WD. If I really wanted the high end 4WD, I would trade for a truck that was factory equipped with it. Dads '18 Big Horn has it and believe me, he needs it. He was bad for pulling off the side of the road and getting stuck with a 2WD truck.

 

[mtwofeathers]

If you're talking about the 4th gen 1500 trucks you definitely would want to do your homework before you decided to replace your non auto system with the auto. The non auto 44-45 system is is a direct drive system. When you put your truck in 4WD its locked in 4WD. The 44-44 auto system never actually locks into 4WD no matter what selection you change the dial too. It's a clutch activated system that has to detect rear wheel spin before it engages the front differential. They are known to not be nearly as durable as the 44-45 you currently have and have been known to overheat and fry the clutches if pressed to hard in some conditions. This is why the 4th gen Rebel plus the Outdoorsman are equipped with the non auto transfer case. Long story short yes you can change it by building a conversion harness and enabling the correct codes in the BCM and installing a 44-44 transfer case but most people are going the other direction. You can search YouTube and find videos people have posted showing the front tires not even spinning in snow and ice even the truck says its in 4WD lock.

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Let's add to the 44-44 case is that the computer does control it quite a bit. Ive had one, way to much internal slippage since it has clutch plates. In auto mode 70% of the power goes to the back wheels, some say mileage is affected but its not because of that. In a way on snow or slippery roads, auto works better, regular 4 wheel drive then to make that rear swing right or left. Only thing I havent found yet is clutch degeneration in the case while using 4x4 auto on the freeway. As I understand it the computer would not engage it unless it senses slip. I've had the case apart a few times over the years, and I do freeway speeds engaged mainly because I have found it doesnt affect anything to leave it in auto. Only time I remember its even in auto is the dash. Ive found it funny needing a paper clip to put it in neutral. My newer 2020 can lock the rear axles as well. Book doesn't say the fronts lock. But I can't take that truck apart per death wish from wife.

 

[Mohican69]

If you're talking about the 4th gen 1500 trucks you definitely would want to do your homework before you decided to replace your non auto system with the auto. The non auto 44-45 system is is a direct drive system. When you put your truck in 4WD its locked in 4WD. The 44-44 auto system never actually locks into 4WD no matter what selection you change the dial too. It's a clutch activated system that has to detect rear wheel spin before it engages the front differential. They are known to not be nearly as durable as the 44-45 you currently have and have been known to overheat and fry the clutches if pressed to hard in some conditions. This is why the 4th gen Rebel plus the Outdoorsman are equipped with the non auto transfer case. Long story short yes you can change it by building a conversion harness and enabling the correct codes in the BCM and installing a 44-44 transfer case but most people are going the other direction. You can search YouTube and find videos people have posted showing the front tires not even spinning in snow and ice even the truck says its in 4WD lock.

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I've been looking to trade in my 2014 Big Horn and I was wondering why the Rebel was missing the 4WD Auto switch. It makes sense now knowing that it's built to handle rougher terrain than my daily driver that spends 99% of it's life on the highway. I've been wondering what I'd miss by not having the auto mode since that's what I use most often here in Maryland. I use it maybe 5 times a year due to road conditions.

 

[DaClown]

I purchased my Laramie 1500 4th Gen because I am a fan of having an "intelligent AWD" type system available.

I tend to leave it in Auto4WD for everyday conditions. It's all individual perception of course, but it makes my truck feel as sure-footed on the road in dry/wet/snow conditions as my previous vehicle which used intelligent AWD and I expect it is a similarly implemented system. I am no novice driver and I can say it has also played a part in keeping the wheels on the road in "evasive manoeuvres" around morons. Mileage seems unaffected.

The wheel slip detection is obviously instantaneous. If I was to step on it in the rain from a stop in 2WD mode, clearly I am going to expect a lot of slippage. In Auto4WD, there is none. It tracks very nicely in the wet, which we get lots of. On normal snowy main roads in the winter it helps to keep things moving. However, trying to climb my steep uphill driveway in reverse to my garage, which accumulated some pretty deep snow, the Auto4WD struggled and could not get me up the driveway. My previous "intelligent" vehicle struggled with climbing a steep grade in deep snow as well.

Putting it into 4WD-Lock/4WD-Low works very well in this situation. The truck literally walked up the driveway like it was on tracks every time.

Granted, I am not a heavy-duty off-road guy, but my job often does take me off paved roads. So far my "luxury truck" does all I ever need it to do.