Difference between 4-Auto and 4-Lock

[corneileous]

I’m not sure if this has been asked before but on the trucks that have the auto-transfer cases, what really is the difference between the auto mode and the other two modes, other than 4-Lo being deeper reduction? If the transfer case still slips on and out based on the current traction status of the rear wheels then why even have this 4-lock mode of it pretty much acts the same way as auto?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Dinky]

 

[Whiteannerdy]

Someone here will break down what 4-Lock in our trucks is compared to actual 4-lock.

From what I heard the Rebel has an actual locking diff where as my sport does not.

Honestly the 4-Lock should have only been printed in the buttons in the Rebel’s and the rest of the trucks should have been 4-High on that button.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[quietpeen]

I could be wrong but I thought i read that in 4 auto it will engage when it senses slipping and then disengage once it senses no more slipping. Then in 4 lock it will engage once it senses slipping but will stay engaged until you let off the gas. Again I could be wrong lol

 

[Tach_tech]

Search bar is your friend. This subject is like a dead horse, people keep wanting to beat it.

 

[corneileous]

Search bar is your friend. This subject is like a dead horse, people keep wanting to beat it.

I’m sure it is but there’s nothing in the rules that says a topic can’t exist among several or more threads.

But did you have anything to add to the topic at hand other than beating another dead horse explaining the search feature the site has?....[emoji849]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[fivestar]

And sometimes the explanation isn’t enough, or doesn’t make sense. I agree, that’s it’s weird the way Ram has it set up. In essence, 4 auto and 4 lock do the same thing....When the rear slips, the front kicks in....but 4 auto should shut power down to the front once the gas pedal is released too....just as apparently in 4 lock....I agree....why do we have both then? I don’t understand the difference in these trucks. In a “normal” 4 high vs AWD 4 auto....I get it.....in these trucks such as mine....I’m sorry to say I don’t understand it either.

 

[Quyonmob]

The basics:

4-auto = abs system determines wheel speed difference between front and rear axles, engages front axle
4-lock = front and rear axles driven by transfer case equally

NOTHING to do with locking differentials in the axles.

That said, I have read plenty regarding the auto transfer cases not actually equally and consistently splitting power front to rear when in 4-lock, so I am glad I don't have one.

 

[Tach_tech]

I’m sure it is but there’s nothing in the rules that says a topic can’t exist among several or more threads.

But did you have anything to add to the topic at hand other than beating another dead horse explaining the search feature the site has?....[emoji849]


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

There’s really nothing more to discuss about it, there are threads with several pages discussing it. Kinda pointless to have a new one every week just to say the same things over and over again.

Search function works great, took 2 minutes. Everything you may want to know is probably in that first link.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-does-auto-4wd-work-what-does-it-do.112773/


https://www.ramforum.com/threads/4wd-lock-or-4wd-auto.57116/

 

[fivestar]

Right....that seems like the “normal” 4 high vs 4 auto...

But in mine, the front and rear driveshafts aren’t locked together....

Weird. I’m not necessarily complaining, nor am I screaming at Ram for this....it’s just that in my limited knowledge base, they seem to be doing the same thing.

 

[fivestar]

Interesting first link. Thanks, as I hadn’t seen that thread either.

Now, I’ve only read thru one page....but it seems that even in 4 Low, the axles aren’t locked together?? Wow. I didn’t know that either.

 

[hardEight]

Nope, all through a clutch.

 

[fivestar]

So, it’s almost like a 2wd low range, then upon rear slippage the front kicks in, until no more power is applied, and it goes back to 2wd low?

 

[hardEight]

I think it's once power is applied period the clutch engages but, don't quote me on it! If it's just idling with no throttle input, it disengages.

 

[fivestar]

Wow. Interesting.

Thank you.

 

[corneileous]

There’s really nothing more to discuss about it, there are threads with several pages discussing it. Kinda pointless to have a new one every week just to say the same things over and over again.

Search function works great, took 2 minutes. Everything you may want to know is probably in that first link.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/how-does-auto-4wd-work-what-does-it-do.112773/


https://www.ramforum.com/threads/4wd-lock-or-4wd-auto.57116/

Just like how there’s probably five times as many tire threads that don’t even pop up each week but what does it even matter? I’ve responded to many of the same over and over tire topics but I don’t start smackin’ everybody with the ruler for making a new thread on it. Maybe you should consider the same. It’s just another thread, dude. It’s not the end of the world. If it bugs you that bad to see another thread of another topic, just keep scrolling. We’re not here to criticize everyone else over thread topics of all things.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Tach_tech]

Just like how there’s probably five times as many tire threads that don’t even pop up each week but what does it even matter? I’ve responded to many of the same over and over tire topics but I don’t start smackin’ everybody with the ruler for making a new thread on it. Maybe you should consider the same. It’s just another thread, dude. It’s not the end of the world. If it bugs you that bad to see another thread of another topic, just keep scrolling. We’re not here to criticize everyone else over thread topics of all things.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

I was hardly smacking you with a ruler lol. I was merely pointing to where there was a wealth of info, in a slightly sarcastic tone.

Point was this topic has been discussed in length several times. That first link I posted has all the information you could want if not more, and you didn’t have to wait for everyone to reply here.

There should honestly be a sticky about that subject with how frequent it gets brought up.

No harm no foul.

 

[corneileous]

I was hardly smacking you with a ruler lol. I was merely pointing to where there was a wealth of info, in a slightly sarcastic tone.

Point was this topic has been discussed in length several times. That first link I posted has all the information you could want if not more, and you didn’t have to wait for everyone to reply here.

There should honestly be a sticky about that subject with how frequent it gets brought up.

No harm no foul.

Well, whether you virtually were or not, it’s just the simple act of reminding me of the search feature. I know it’s there, and I’ve used it numerous times. I’ve even resorted to other forums for answers but isn’t that what we’re primarily here for? To help each other out?

But I wanted more of a discussion based on the differences between those two modes. That, and there’s over a 150 posts in that one, and in that other one there’s well over 300. One of those topics was started 4 and a half years ago. Didn’t feel like reading through all those posts in both threads because a lot of them are probably things that don’t even really pertain to the discussion. That, and maybe there’s some newer, updated information out there not discussed in those older threads. Not only that, if I was to have a few questions, the likelihood of them getting answered by more people would be better here, in a new thread. Most of those people who posted in those other two threads probably don’t even follow them anymore and as busy as this forum is, they could probably get passed up pretty quickly....lol.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[corneileous]

But anywho....

So, there’s not any difference basically between the modes? But based on what y’all have said, even if you’re out driving on a mild Jeep trail climbing up the side of the mountain- like I did with this new truck back in July when I was out in Colorado for vacation, the whole time i drove up to a ginormous waterfall on a steep switchback in four-low, only my back tires was driving me up there? That’s strange.

But then again, since I don’t normally wheel my truck in roads like that all the time, note do I go see how much mud I can cling to it out in a muddy pasture when it rains, it has no affect on me how much reduced it sounds like this transfer case works. I just wanted to know what the difference was between 4-Auto and 4-lock. Sounds to me like it ain’t much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[Tach_tech]

There is a slight difference, 4auto only sends power to the front when slip is detected. Where as 4lock will send power to the front once throttle is applied, regardless if slip is detected. There’s no official info on this, but this is the best I can figure based on watching data with a scan tool at work.

However the 5th gen trucks appear to lock in 4hi without waiting for slip/throttle. I noticed this working on a 5th gen the other day. Had it in 4hi and tried some turning, it was definitely in 4wd. I’m guessing they updated the function due to a lot of complaints.