I am not very knowledge in how the drivetrain operates in & out of 4wd. When not in 4wd where does the drivetrain disconnect? At the transfer case? Seemed like many years ago it disconnect at the hubs. My ultimate question here, is there much less stress/heat on the front diff compared to the rear? If I end up re-gearing I was planning on upgrading to a larger capacity aluminum cover for the rear axle but possibly using the factory one back on the front. Not trying to cheap out, but I am already going to be putting down a lot of coin.
Here is my take based on lots of time figuring **** out.
I did NOT get this info from a book. It is MY interpretation. if someone disagrees please explain your reasoning.
Hang on.... need a whiskey [emoji2957]
Ok ok
Iv been back and forth with this with a mechanic and FCA as well as the guy that re-geared my truck.
Cut the ********* long stories. It HAS TO ..... HAS TO .... HAS TO disconnect from “power” at the transfer case.
If you jackthe back of your truck up (front tires still down) and put her in drive while in 2H. The driveshaft that goes to the front differential from the transfer case. DID NOT SPIN.
So in 2H the trucks POWER is not turning the driveshaft.
But.... your axles are still spinning while driving down the road. Because of this centrical force could turn the driveshaft a bit when driving.
You can spin the front driveshaft by hand when in 2h and parked
Your front diff is open. When in 2H you axles spin with the wheels at the same speed. But because the diff is open they spin separate.
There is an “axle disconnect” on your passenger side front axle. Looks like a big plastic electric solenoid on the back of the axle that moves a fork shaped arm in and out moving a splined sleeve that will slide over that 2pc axle.
This means only half of your passenger side axle is spinning with the wheel while in 2H.
When 4x4 is engaged it simultaneously moves that splined sleeve on you 2 pc axle to essentially Making the passenger side a “one pc” now .....at the same time it puts power to the driveshaft for the front diff with the transfer case.
The 2 pc axle for safety reasons.
The HD transfer case has NO clutches. Its is direct chain drive. It is ALWAYS best to do any transfer case switch while moving SLOWLY. But not stopped.... because of the direct drive.
2H to 4H is usually easy to do when moving. But 4L is tricky because you need to be in “N” on your transmission when doing the move.
I always try to roll JUST fast enough to slip the trans into “N” and once that is done push it into 4L. ..... all while still rolling
If you are stopped all of the switches “can” be a struggle. Especially 4L. Don’t even try it.
Hope this helps.
Sent while firmly grasping my redline lubed RAM [emoji231]
