Hacks

[grabinov]

Guys I'd really like to learn how to hack this truck. I want control over my auto-level rear air and over the lock/unlock of the front axle. These are non "engine-related" items, which is to say that i have no need for more power and don't have any good reason to mess with my emissions system. I just want to have some programmimg control over things already controlled by the computer. Is there any hope? This seems like perfect territory for Edge, or one of the other vendors of systems which already offer some computer control - though mostly for the purpose of developing more power.

Does anyone know of anything? Anyone working on it?

 

[Newsa]

Which transmission?

 

[grabinov]

2014 2500 with the 68RFE

 

[Newsa]

My front axle is completely manual. But I'll be interested to hear what others say on this topic who have programmers.

 

[Bob4x4]

Just my opinion,if you don't have the skill set to do it and repair the aftermath when stuff goes south Leave it as designed.almost daily I get things to fix where the customer thought his ideas were safe and would not go south.Many times these are the same people that scream warranty the loudest

 

[grabinov]

Just my opinion,if you don't have the skill set to do it and repair the aftermath when stuff goes south Leave it as designed almost daily I get things to fix where the customer thought his ideas were safe and would not go south.Many times these are the same people that scream warranty the loudest

What frustrates me Bob is that there ISN'T ANYONE who seems to understand these systems. There is nothing on Tech Authority which describes the Auto Level Rear Air system other than to the degree required to R&R parts of the system based on a known failure. Same for the front axle disconnect. Does anyone know when it is connected and when not? Is it connected at all speeds up to highway speed and disconnected on the highway for mileage? Is it disconnected all the time and only connected when 4wd is applied? If I want to have a truck that allows me to run in 4wd-low with the front axle disconnected, isn't it a fair question to ask "Will that hurt anything and how could I do it?".

 

[AH64ID]

My front axle is completely manual. But I'll be interested to hear what others say on this topic who have programmers.

Your transfer case is manual, and since you have a 13 2500 the front axle is the older style without CAD. There is nothing to control on a 13 2500 front axle.

It gets lower mileage than a CAD axle but is stronger. I prefer non-CAD with manual hubs.

 

[Newsa]

https://youtu.be/F441XfFCPN0

 

[AH64ID]

Why did you post that video?

 

[Newsa]

I think the only way you will be able to get 2 Wheel drive low is by installing manual locking hubs.

 

[AH64ID]

I think the only way you will be able to get 2 Wheel drive low is by installing manual locking hubs.

With CAD it should be possible to do it with a switch.

I really enjoy manual hubs on my 05. I wish Ram would just go old school! CAD sucks IMHO.

 

[jkalchik]

That's how you get manual front hubs on these models, by replacing unit hub bearings & other bits. When the transfer case is in 4wd (regardless of range,) and the hubs are disconnected, no torque is applied to the front wheels. This way, you can get 4wd hi, 4wd lo, 2wd hi, and 2wd lo. 2lo is handy for backing a trailer into a tight spot. There's also a minor improvement in fuel economy in 2hi, as the front axle shafts, front differential and front driveshaft aren't turning at all.

I've given the hub kits some thought, and based on fuel economy alone, I can't see installing them. 2lo is an advantage, as well as getting cheaper bearings. However, in my '99, I only replaced 2 front hubs in over 300k miles, and 2lo isn't all that necessary to me.

 

[Newsa]

I just went out to see if I could find the vacuum pump and line. There is a single rubber tube coming out of the front axle. But it goes to nothing and just has a plastic cap at the end. So, I'm guessing the manual transfer cases don't have vacuum actuated CAD? In fact on the G56 trucks I believe the body control module works half as hard (controls half as many functions) as the Aisin & 68 RFE. And that rubber tube doesn't look like it would withstand much vacuum without collapsing

I find your questions interesting and now see your point more clearly.

 

[AH64ID]

I just went out to see if I could find the vacuum pump and line. There is a single rubber tube coming out of the front axle. But it goes to nothing and just has a plastic cap at the end. So, I'm guessing the manual transfer cases don't have vacuum actuated CAD? In fact on the G56 trucks I believe the body control module works half as hard (controls half as many functions) as the Aisin & 68 RFE.

I find your questions interesting and now see your point more clearly.

As I mentioned a few posts back your 2013 2500 has the older style axle, non-CAD. The 2500's didn't get CAD until the frame/suspension upgrade in 2014. The plus is you can add hubs and not have to deal with CAD.

The transfer case and CAD are two separate functions. All 13+ 3500's and 14+ 2500's have CAD regardless of the transfer case.

The plastic tube is the breather.

 

[Newsa]

Sorry, need to learn to read. When you said without, I read "with". My mistake!

 

[Newsa]

One question. On the new trucks with CAD.... Do you still have to lube tge front u joint?

I ask because my worksite has a new HD Ram on order. And I need to know the differences between mine and the new one.



https://youtu.be/iOa8WRs_ffo

 

[AH64ID]

According to the 2015 owners manual all 2500/3500 4x4 vehicles still need to be greased.

 

[grabinov]

On the 2014 the CAD is electric. I am sure it is also monitored by the all-knowing computer. I can unplug it, but I'm not sure that it will be "disconnected" if unplugged, rather than "connected". I don't know, Bob doesn't know. No one knows! Someone SHOULD know!

 

[Newsa]

The vacuum motor is electric?

http://www.4x4wire.com/dodge/tech/solid_axle_cad/

 

[AH64ID]

The vacuum motor is electric?

http://www.4x4wire.com/dodge/tech/solid_axle_cad/

That looks like the 94-01.5 CAD system. With the lack of vacuum pumps since 2004.5 I am guessing the new one is 100% electric, as grabinov mentioned.