Does anyone know if the front wheel drive can be disengaged while the transfer case is in 4 wheel low? It sure would be nice to have that low range when backing up the boat or the heavy trailer.

 

To the best of my knowledge the front axle cannot be disconnected at any time. Just out of curiosity, why would you want to disconnect the front axle just to backup in 4 wheel low? Why not just stick it in low and back up?

 

While in 4WD low on pavement in reverse, the front wheels are turning at a different speed and stress the u-joints because they are connected to the drivetrain when you are turning to keep your trailer straight.

 

Well yes, but don't you think this was considered when it was designed? OK, the tires may wear fractionally more as well but IMHO nothing to be concerned about. Have been associated with four wheel drive vehicles since the early fifties and have never heard of anybody having a problem in this situation. It is going to be intersting to see if anybody chimes in with any specific problems they have experienced while backing up in 4 wheel drive while on dry concrete. Maybe I don't know nuttin". (Again!)

 

I don't know if this works on the new trucks, but I think it's what you're looking for.

 

Majordad, I have to agree with Mexstan. Although I have only been driving four wheel drives about twenty years. I have towed out many cars, trucks, and tree stumps in four wheel drive on concrete. It has been for very short distance, and I never had any problems with my shafts or transfer case. I also never noticed any wear on my tires that I could detect. Of course, I am not always right, but I thought I'd give you my .02 worth.

 

I agree with the orig poster. That herky-jerky axle wrap is annoying when tucking my boat into a tight spot using 4-lo. If you're backing up in a straight line, it isn't there, but as soon as you turn the wheels, my truck turns into a bucking bronco. My concerns (not complaints) don't have much to do with mechanical issues, but more of a driveability thing.<br><br>I wish I could unlock the front hubs for times like that, but its something I've learned to live with - and choose my 4-lo backing wisely.

 

First of all the ratio's for backing up are too high and the only way to slow down w/o riding the clutch is to put'er in 4 low. Backing up staight is ok but have to turn forget about it.<br><br>I like to use 4 low when getting hay up out of the field but when I get to the end of the field I have to shift to 2 high to turn.<br><br>There is someone who has a kit to disengauge front axle when in 4 low.

 

i think www.emjay-eng.com has what your looking for.Im not sure about your truck but on my ''01 there are two vaccuum lines going to the aculator on the front axle if you remove and plug them (they are e-z get to and remove) your front axle will not lock in .prob. not a good thing to do all the time but does work 2wd low. just my $0.2

 

Only problem with this is the '03's (as well as the late 2002's) don't have the vacuum disconnect.<br><br>The driveshaft/axle is turning all the time.<br><br>Is there something out there for this situation?<br><br><br>phox

 

If Dodge is going to use the front drivetrain philosophy of the ****** Jeep (everything turns, all the time) they should have kept the Jeeps two levers (hi-lo; in-out).

 

[quote author=cp link=board=20;threadid=16290;start=0#153377 date=1056578555]<br>If Dodge is going to use the front drivetrain philosophy of the ****** Jeep (everything turns, all the time) they should have kept the Jeeps two levers (hi-lo; in-out).<br>[/quote]<br><br>Or at least, manually locking hubs.<br><br><br>phox

 

[quote author=phox_mulder link=board=20;threadid=16290;start=0#153380 date=1056578810]<br>[quote author=cp link=board=20;threadid=16290;start=0#153377 date=1056578555]<br>If Dodge is going to use the front drivetrain philosophy of the ****** Jeep (everything turns, all the time) they should have kept the Jeeps two levers (hi-lo; in-out).<br>[/quote]<br><br>Or at least, manually locking hubs.<br><br><br>phox<br>[/quote]<br><br>Exactly! What does Dodge have, some court order barring them from ever using hubs? That's one reason that kept me from buying a 4x4. I don't think I've ever seen a Dodge 4x4 of any year model, with hubs.

 

[quote author=cp link=board=20;threadid=16290;start=0#153377 date=1056578555]<br>If Dodge is going to use the front drivetrain philosophy of the ****** Jeep (everything turns, all the time) they should have kept the Jeeps two levers (hi-lo; in-out).<br>[/quote]<br><br>I'd have to agree with you there. Makes a lot of sense to have high/low and in/out levers and I wish I had a Reverse Low in a couple of &quot;tight turning&quot; situations. Even on dry grassy ground you get a lot of driveline bind and wheel hop.<br><br>Personally I dont think dodge though of it at all during design.

 

I agree with Mexstan. I run 4x's and they pull trailers (heavy ones) every day on rough ground. On our old gassers (5.9L's) shifting to 4L is not an option, but is necessary to back the heavy trailes with out torching the clutches on the manuals, and the autos just don't have enough guts in 2 or 4H. The new &quot;Old School Ram&quot; equiped with the 48RE and HO handles the task much easier, but I still shft into 4L to ease the strain a little. Although he will buck and jump a little, I do what I can to make it easier on him by not turning as much, etc. It's a give and take thing, I'll take not having to jack with lock-outs, and a little bucking is part of a complex, yet wonderful world of POWER and class. BTW, both of my 92s have lockouts in the front hubs.<br><br>two old school cents