Newbie with a 4x4 question

[baydog]

Hi all, new here looking for an answer to a problem I am having with my 2012 sport hemi 4x4.
When in 4x4 lock or 4x4 low the rear wheels spin at least a half turn before engaging the front wheels. Seems to work exactly the same in 4x4 auto. this happens with the traction control on or off. It is a serious pain when trying to pull a loaded boat trailer up sandy or slippery landings.
My 2006 Ram with 4x4 auto would do this in auto, but would lock securely in 4x4 lock and low.
Are others seeing this, or is this a problem. If this is normal, I am not happy with Dodge.
By the way, this is my 4th Ram P/U and have owned one Durango and two Grand Cherokees.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[Batram]

I'm not sure how my new Ram is, but my 2007 F150 was the same way. After I put it in 4wd, I'd have to move forward a small amount before the front diff would engage.

 

[loveracing1988]

Does it do this even after the first attempt? As in does it slip, engage the front and then if you repeat it requires the rear wheels to slip again to engage the fronts again? Or does it just do it once and then stays locked because that is how it is supposed to be. It needs a little bit to get all of the splines engaged and such.

 

[baydog]

In response to earlier replies, this is happening all the time in Four wheel lock. Not just when engaged. My dealer replaced the clutch pack in the transfer case, and shimmed the output shaft endplay. There is no improvement.
To try to be more clear on my problem, I am asking if others are having the same issues when trying to creep easily up a sandy boat ramp, or the like. For example, if the front wheels are on pavement and the rears are on loose sand pulling a boat up a ramp(after the 4x4 has been engaged) the rears will spin at least a full revolution before engaging the fronts. If a lot of throttle is used the fronts will engage much more quickly. It will do this over and over so it has nothing to do with the 4x4 being engaged. I have been running 4x4 trucks for thirty plus years and am not happy with this. Can anyone chime in telling me if this happens to them? Thanks

 

[loveracing1988]

In response to earlier replies, this is happening all the time in Four wheel lock. Not just when engaged. My dealer replaced the clutch pack in the transfer case, and shimmed the output shaft endplay. There is no improvement.
To try to be more clear on my problem, I am asking if others are having the same issues when trying to creep easily up a sandy boat ramp, or the like. For example, if the front wheels are on pavement and the rears are on loose sand pulling a boat up a ramp(after the 4x4 has been engaged) the rears will spin at least a full revolution before engaging the fronts. If a lot of throttle is used the fronts will engage much more quickly. It will do this over and over so it has nothing to do with the 4x4 being engaged. I have been running 4x4 trucks for thirty plus years and am not happy with this. Can anyone chime in telling me if this happens to them? Thanks

This is completely normal for the 4 auto transfer cases in the ram 1500's. Its a sad but true fact. There is another thread about it on here.

http://www.ramforum.com/showthread.php?t=40753

 

[NYCruiser]

^^this