How offroad worthy is the RAM 1500?

[kurek]

There are 2 different transfer cases available for these trucks. Both of them have a low range setting.

On the BW44-45 it works like a conventional 4x4 transfer case, with 2wd (everyone understands this) and then a fully locked 4wd (if the back wheels are turning the front wheels are turning, period. ) and also a fully locked 4wd low range (again, if the back wheels are turning the front wheels are turning, or else something is broken). Low range just means that the power from the engine goes through an extra set of gears to be 2.64x lower.

The 44-45 transfer case does not have an auto position on its selector, you're either in full 4wd or not and you can't use 4wd on high traction surfaces like streets.

The other transfer case, BW44-44 has an automatic setting, so you can let it figure out for itself whether 4wd is needed. It has similar 4WD lock and 4WD low range like the other one, but those are always electronic activated clutches, and under very hard use they can slip. That's mostly going to be a concern for people who put larger tires on their truck and work it harder than the average owner.

If the automatic one works for you, then it works for you and there's nothing you need to worry about.

 

[gofish101]

Welcome @Jasper285. Great first post. Sure glad you and the family made it home safe.
I agree with Kurek if the Auto works for you great and enjoy your nice looking ride. If not than there is a fix Brandon has out. I have always had the B44-45 combo and am amazed at the trucks ability in adverse conditions. My previous truck an F150 was not so good in bad conditions with the ass end being so light she got snakey at times. My experience with Rams are they just feel more planted in bad conditions and around corners. My current Ram an Outdoorsman is by far my favorite truck.

 

[danielmid]

Fairly basic demostration of our BLD system while in 4lo, no need to abuse the truck to get it to grab traction and give it gas to overcome the lack of lockers. Steady easy thottle when your wheels go on the air and the system does the rest, no buttons to push.

How well does BLD work without a rear LSD?

 

[kurek]

How well does BLD work without a rear LSD?

It still works, just with more wheel spin and if you're using it a lot (crossing a muddy field, really difficult boat ramp, etc) you might overheat the brakes faster and grind up your tires a bit more without a LSD. BLD requires a difference of wheel speed to recognize that it needs to engage so it will pulse off and on continually while you're on terrain that calls for it - so that means the low-traction tire will be turning quite a lot . Not a big deal if you're just crossing moguls or a little snow but could be hard on the tires if you're crawling some pretty nasty river bottom.

I think the worst scenario for BLD alone without LSD or a locking differential is somewhere very slippery like a boat ramp because none of the wheels will have a great amount of traction relative to what's being asked for, and BLD only works by slowing a spinning wheel and trying to send the engine torque over to its neighbor on the same axle - but if that wheel doesn't have much traction either it's just handicapping both sides. Still probably better than hopelessly spinning one wheel but I bet if someone had the resources to set up a controlled demonstration that would be a scenario where the largest difference is presented.

 

[ram1500rsm]

How well does BLD work without a rear LSD?

Judge for yourself, not a ram, but that was my 13 Jeep Sport unlimited , fully open front and rear, only help here is the flex and the BLD, Go to Min 1:43 in the video to see what the BLD system is capable off without a rear lsd. Same system we have in the 4th gen RAM. That's just a 2.5" lift with 315/70/17 KO2's and skids everywhere

 

[gofish101]

Judge for yourself, not a ram, but that was my 13 Jeep Sport unlimited , fully open front and rear, only help here is the flex and the BLD, Go to Min 1:43 in the video to see what the BLD system is capable off without a rear lsd. Same system we have in the 4th gen RAM. That's just a 2.5" lift with 315/70/17 KO2's and skids everywhere

Holy crap that looks fun... and scary at the same time.

 

[RLJ10X]

There is no doubt the BLD works well in that scenario, and those conditions. But in mud or snow, I prefer a LSD, or a locker. And throw in Brandon's switch for good measure.

 

[Jasper285]

There are 2 different transfer cases available for these trucks. Both of them have a low range setting.

On the BW44-45 it works like a conventional 4x4 transfer case, with 2wd (everyone understands this) and then a fully locked 4wd (if the back wheels are turning the front wheels are turning, period. ) and also a fully locked 4wd low range (again, if the back wheels are turning the front wheels are turning, or else something is broken). Low range just means that the power from the engine goes through an extra set of gears to be 2.64x lower.

The 44-45 transfer case does not have an auto position on its selector, you're either in full 4wd or not and you can't use 4wd on high traction surfaces like streets.

The other transfer case, BW44-44 has an automatic setting, so you can let it figure out for itself whether 4wd is needed. It has similar 4WD lock and 4WD low range like the other one, but those are always electronic activated clutches, and under very hard use they can slip. That's mostly going to be a concern for people who put larger tires on their truck and work it harder than the average owner.

If the automatic one works for you, then it works for you and there's nothing you need to worry about.

 

[Jasper285]

Hey thanks man, much appreciated!
That's exactly what I was looking for - what I have, and what it means. I thought I might get around to taking it on a trail or maybe climb some hills, nothing crazy (good intentions, right? Lol). It's probably a good thing I'm still working full time, cuz I've been eyeing a utility road nearby (they left the gate open)...
So that was the limit of my experience with the Ram - couple of icy road situations. Like I said, I may gain access to some private land when they open it up again, and I'm told there's a big soft sand patch I may need to cross. I'm wondering if this type of terrain will be too much, and I might find myself stuck. It sounds like my setup gets similar traction to the 44-45, but only up to a point? That is, if I load up four passengers, a bunch of beer, food and fishing gear, and try and cross that soft patch, will it cause the slippage you mentioned? Does it not re-lock too well?

I see from this thread there is a short list of must haves if I'm gonna get serious.
If you guys were gonna do one thing at a time, where would you start? Brandon's switch? Lift? Level? Tires? Keeping in mind that I'm not planning on any rock crawling
Also, I was reading the manual and it sounds like Dodge has a big concern for brake issues after mudding (and of course they suggest a professional cleaning at the dealer). Has anyone found this to be an issue (excessive wear, damaged brake components)?

Thanks!

 

[kurek]

I only know about the limits of the 44-44 from reading peoples' experiences, well you know everyone's got a different interpretation of how much gas they're using and how tough the terrain is. Until somebody manages to make a good comprehensive video that details the limitations exactly it's going to always be a mystery. Except if you find out first hand

Wouldn't worry too much it doesn't sound like it explodes or anything I think it just slips some and maybe you need a shovel or a tug.

The first place I started running into trouble on the Arizona backroads was the bumper/air dam. Gave it a 2" lift which helped a lot.. then a high clearance bumper which changed the equation entirely. I guess the bumper was probably unnecessary but sometimes a couple wobbly pops and a fire sale can change your weekend plans



About 10 minutes after I signed the paperwork.


A month later.


A couple years after that.

I also added all the Mopar skid plates but they're still shiny. No regrets on that, like airbags and seat belts you don't actually try to use them just 'cause they're there.

As for the mud thing.. yeah mud will tear up anything. Whenever I see some kid wearing mud all over his truck like a badge of honor after a rainy weekend I think to myself.. that dude doesn't work on his own truck for sure because if he did he'd be a lot less proud of that! Well it's your truck and your wallet so I'm not gonna tell you how to have fun but if your bank account looks anything like mine I'd be under there with a garden hose Sunday night before going to bed. My lawn doesn't look very green up there but for Phoenix it's the greenest one on the street 'cause it has probably 35 states worth of dirt in it