New RAM transfer case choice

[EBottema]

I would stick with the manual shift. It is personal preferance. If you have a bad ground or something your stuck without 4x4. My cousin's f-150 has electronic shift on the fly and he always has problems with it. There are already to many wires and electronic components on the 3rd gen trucks, stick with something mechanical and simple that is fail safe

 

[Dean Upson]

I have had manual transfer cases since 1969, all but one (1994 CTD) had standard transmissions. My '03 six-speed has the electronic transfer case and I have had no problems at all, I love it and would never go back to the manual. I fought with locking hubs for years and have not had them since '94 and I would not ever have them again if you gave them to me. Just my $. 02 .



Dean

 

[nickleinonen]

but for this truck it is really nice to reach up and flip the switch if you have to pull out in traffic on slick ground, and then just flip it back to 2H without even coming out of your driving position or taking your eyes off the road

i do that just fine with my hand shifted 4x lever... with my hand resting on the center coonsole, i can reach the shifter with my fingers and it pulls in no problem, and can pop it back in 2 real easy too. .

 

[JHardwick]

Several people have posted dial-a-drive failures, but so far nobody has posted a problem with the lever.



Dave

I don't think I've seen an posted failures

 

[macdaddy]

Hey Nerd

Wise choice Laramie "H" Package I have one you'll like the seat warmers and the elec shift. Now the Infinity???????.

 

[DPelletier]

I don't think I've seen an posted failures

Well I've read of at least two on this forum. Again, I don't think they are particularly unreliable, but when people say they are as reliable as the lever, I have to call them on it. Just ain't the case.



Also, I think some of the people are making unfair comparisons between the dial-a-drive and older lever shift systems, perhaps even on other vehicles. Honestly mine has never ground once and I use 4x4 all the time in the winter.

Like Nickleinonen, I can reach my lever by dangling my fingers and often shift it with only two fingers. Smooth as butter. I've never experienced even a slight hesitation or gear grind. Much easier than my '01. 5 and lightyears ahead of my old '79 F150 with an NP235. It takes me a fraction of a second and I don't need to take my eyes off the road. A gentle nudge coaxes it easily from 4h back into 2h. Couldn't be happier.



Dave

 

[BRayls]

I have to say my stick shifts the same two fingers in and out.

 

[swexlin]

This is the first truck I've ever had an electric shift on. My 97 2500 V10 had a lever, and it was OK, my Ford had a lever. I wanted a lever on this truck, but it had electric. I've used it several times the last couple days with all this snow, and it engages most of the time instantly - this afternoon, on first engagement, the light on the knob blink for a second or two until it sensed the 'case engaged, and off I went.



It is a little easier, and I can keep my eyes on the road. I guess I'm just getting old. :-laf

 

[DPelletier]

Ok, I don't want to belabor the issue any longer as I think it's relatively minor, but I just wanted to say that I don't actually take my eyes off the road and look at the lever to shift from 2H to 4H and back. Do any of you with the 6spd look at the shifter before shifting!! just kidding!



Dave

 

[Matt400]

Do any of you with the 6spd look at the shifter before shifting!!

:-laf :-laf :-laf

 

[klenger]

I've had my truck for a year now and have used 4WD for maybe a total of 20 miles (on the way back to Tucson after picking my truck up in Denver). Looking back at my decisions, the transfer case option I wish I had ordered is the one that comes with the 2WD.



I sure could use the extra 500-600 lbs usefull load, better fuel milage, lower cost, lower bed height, lower maintenance costs, and better handeling.