MegaCab without ESOF?

[AzCattle]

Can you get the megacab without the ESOF 4x4 switch? (The unnecessary strand me in the middle of the desert wash switch) I want one with a lever, but the dealer tells me to pack sand. Any thoughts?

 

[JGheen]

As far as I know, the manual shift t-cases only come in the "Big Horn" edition trucks and they do not come in the Mega cab. Trust me I wanted the manual shift as well, can't stand elec. shift but I wanted the Mega over the Big Horn edition.



Joe

 

[Tee]

Same problem here. Couldn't even order one with a stick thru the floor for the Transfer.



I have resolved that I will find a totaled 3rd gen one day and take the linkage and parts out of it and put them in my Mega Cab.

 

[Ten_Bucks]

Same problem here. Couldn't even order one with a stick thru the floor for the Transfer.



I have resolved that I will find a totaled 3rd gen one day and take the linkage and parts out of it and put them in my Mega Cab.

You're gonna have to do a complete transfercase swap. There is no way to convert the NV273 to manual shift.



Scott

 

[troll3193]

I don't mind the electronic control as much as where the darn knob is placed... Sometimes you need to get into 4x4 in a hurry and it was easier to find the stick on the floor than the knob hidden behind the gear selector. .



Bryan

 

[AzCattle]

I knew you guys would have the answer. A wealth of knowledge around this place, just not the good news I was looking for. Thanks. . :{

 

[EHerrling]

I was looking for the same thing in my MC but was told the AC vents to the rear seats go through the front floor console. Thats why there isn't a manual transfer case lever in mega cabs.

 

[AzCattle]

I guess it sounds a little petty, but when there are times when youre employees are 3 hours from the nearest town, I need the 4x4 to engage. It happened again last week. He sat in the desert (stuck in a wash with nothing but illegals and coyotes for 30 miles) for a day because it wouldnt engage. I guess I stick with quad cabs...

 

[Bernie]

As far as I know, the manual shift t-cases only come in the "Big Horn" edition trucks

No, I have a stick transfer case shift on my (non Big Horn) SLT. I got the Thunder Road package.



But, this really doesn't help much though, because my truck isn't a mega cab.

 

[BigDan]

Its still almost as easy to be stranded with the manual lever since there's electronics that control the 4x4 still. I had a Dakota with the lever and all but there was a problem and it wouldnt go into 4x4 even though the lover went into low. It isnt a 100% manual system, still lots of electronics involved w/ the manual lever

 

[rjohnson916]

No, I have a stick transfer case shift on my (non Big Horn) SLT. I got the Thunder Road package.



But, this really doesn't help much though, because my truck isn't a mega cab.

Thunder Road is the same package as a Big Horn & Lone Star, it's just called a different name geographically.



FYI, the manual selector is non specific to trim. It is how the dealer orders the truck. I've seen an '06 Laramie that had leather of course, and had a floor shift 4wd.



The Thunder Road, Big Horn & Lone star only add aluminum alloy "polished" five spoke wheels, Fog lamps, power driver seat & tow hooks IIRC.



-Ryan

 

[ScottLewis]

My '06 Laramie with leather has a floor shift. The expanation about the vents going through the tunnel makes perfect sense. Just another tradeoff of one goody for another, although I'm sure lots of folks prefer the clear floor. I'm not sure where a grownup sitting in my front center seat would put his feet.



Dan

 

[WRStrong]

electric transfer case shift solutions??

I know this is an old thread but i just started shopping for a new MegaCab. I like the shift lever on my quad cab but might have to face the facts of not being able to have one anymore. If I knew what the typical failure mode was I could be prepared when the stupid electric shift didn't work.



Anyone know what usually goes out that causes the shift electronics to go out? It is a fuse/relay? Bad solenoid? I have seen so many people stuck in sand at the lake shore with fancy electric shift 4X4. I swore I would not own and electronic shift but I really want a new Mega cab



Thanks

 

[DBentley]

Ya I'm stuck with electric shift 4x4 to. I lost the C. A. D in the 96 and now have another weak link. Can we manualy rig a pto type cable ?

Like a posi-lok type thinggie to the transfer lectric motor.

 

[AKaiser]

I got stuck in an intersection on ice in a floor shift Chevy POS b/c the locker was disconnected underneath the truck. Even the floor shifters have electrical connections that can fail you.

 

[WRStrong]

Yeah, I guess there's things that could go wrong with all rigs. I just still enjoy the manual floor shifter. Feels like I'm actually in control of something. I guess I'll search the forums for tales of trouble with electronic 4X4 selectors. Maybe I'm making too much out of it and there's no real big deal.

 

[HNelson]

Some trucks with manual t-case levers still have CAD or auto-hubs. But the new Dodges do not. Their manual transfer cases are an all manual 4wd system, no electronics (except for the little idiot light that tell you you're in 4wd).



As for what fails, I believe there was a TSB to correct the t-case from shifting itself into neutral and staying there under some circumstances, that was an ECM software problem. And then there's the dash switch, the wiring, possibly a relay, the electric motor, etc.



To put it in perspective though, there are still way fewer electronics on the t-case than in the engine, or automatic transmission. So it's more likely your vehicle won't start than you'll be stuck without 4wd. There have been a rash of 4wd related problems on vehicles, but those are case by case incidents having to do with crappy components (auto hubs on Fords, for instance), there's nothing fundamentally wrong with the concept.



(note: happy owner of a manual shift Dodge)