Shift-on-the-fly 4wd

[Erik Unthank]

O. K. , I'm mulling over options for my yet to be ordered CTD. I'm inclined to get a fully loaded Laramie, except I'm thinking I should stick with the manual engagement 4wd. I've heard it metioned here that some of you have gone this route because you don't want to have to worry about the electric engagement working when you really need it, but in fact has anyone had one of these fail at an inoportune time?

 

[Sarge]

I don't think it's a matter of failure Erik. I just like like the idea of grabbing that stick and pulling it into 4WD mysef. I guess there is an arguement for "one less thing to go wrong", but I have not heard anyone ever complain about the button shift. Sarge

 

[djbobo]

yep i have



---- I had a 03' laramie for just over a year & it worked fine. Last month I traded it in for a dually & it didn't work right from the begining - about half the time the "service 4x4 " would come on. If you happened to be in 4wd mode that's where it would stay & if you weren't in 4wd and wanted to be - no luck.



I took it in & they said they knew what it was because the've seen others with the same problem. They ordered a new MODULE and replaced it- at wich point it worked for two days then back to the dash lit "service 4x4" (but less often). I'm now out of town but they said to bring it back & they will run some tests.



It seems an electronic brain has the power to say wether you can or can't use the 4wd. If it were just a simple selector switch directly controlling a 12 volt solenoid it would, in my opinion, be alot better.



So far not a fan of the 'select a drive'. I would rather use the MODULE in my own brain to decide if it's ok to use my transfer case. I'll give them another chance to fix it before I will try and persuade them to putting in a manual 4x4 shift lever.



I don't think that you'll find a whole lot of people having problems with it. I'm the only one I know thats had the "service 4x4" light come on. I wonder if this light is in the trucks without the 'select-o-drive' - I know that I was unaware that this lite even existed.



dj

 

[rbattelle]

In my opinion, it's a machine, and machines should have as many levers as possible!

 

[Chris N5CWM]

I looked under several new 04. 5s the other day. The transfer cases are the same. The differences are simple. . an electric motor engages the transfer case mechanically (actuator, solenoid, whatever). It connects to the same linkage that the manual lever linkage attatches to. I'd go with manual if I had a choice. Too many chances for the electric one to fail and when the warranty is up, who knows how much it will cost to fix.

 

[StephenThomas]

No problems with mine thusfar -- I really like it!

 

[amsoilman]

NO problems with mine either. It works very well, and it is instant! I might add, the truck needs to be moving before attempting to go 4X4 high, and stopped in nuetral to go 4X4 low!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[bighammer]

Mine has paused a bit going into 4lo and back out again. (maybe a minute-- Enough to be concerned but it worked)



I've grabbed the shift knob thinking I'm changing the fan setting a couple times too. I guess I wish I had the shifter. The cubby is just full of crap anyway. (it's a nice size and shape for a cell phone, though) I could give that up for a manual shift transfer case pretty easily.

 

[LightmanE300]

i've had electric push button 4wd on my last 3 vehicles with no problems. Its really nice to have the open space on the floor assuming you have an automatic.

 

[Erik Unthank]

Sounds like I'd have to give up the flip down drink holder to get the floor shift transfer case? Even with the automatic transmission? I hate that.

 

[Rosco]

Originally posted by Erik Unthank

Sounds like I'd have to give up the flip down drink holder to get the floor shift transfer case? Even with the automatic transmission? I hate that.

Not true. I have a manual shift t-case with the automatic transmission and I have the flip down drink holder that is adjustable and will hold two drinks.

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

So ,realisticly,how long does it take to engage 4hi from 4lo. It happens in less than 3 secounds fron a normal driving position with a manual selector. I timed it on the way home tonight,and can you feel the engagement and disengagement. I've been accused of having something wrong when I said I can hear or feel a slight click?clack when these take place. Letting off the throttle at the moment of selector movement allows things to align,hence the sound !

Mark T.

 

[Dean Upson]

I love my dial-a-drive



Dean

 

[Erik Unthank]

I'd like to have it as well. I'm trying to get a feel for how reliable it is. I only anticipate using it a very few times a year and just wonder if I'm better off without it.

 

[MO'Donnell]

Add me to the list of the dial-a-drive fans! I didn't want it, but had no choice with the Laramie. So far, no problems and I've used it a LOT this winter. It's a little picky going into 4-LO, it likes to be moving VERY slowly in Neutral with the clutch in, and it does engage with a "click" as R. M. mentioned.

 

[TBrennan]

When going into and out of 4-lo the transmission needs to be in neutral so most likely you have come to an almost stop. Why does anyone care how long it takes for 4-lo engagement /disengagement? You use 4 hi when doing anything at speed. I think I've used 4 lo once this winter.

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

TBrennen

Never asked about 4lo,just wanted to know how long it takes to tranfer to and from 4wd. Have read anywhere from a little while / kinda slow and even immediate. My question dose not have a ulterior motive,might want electric in my next truck if it's not like a thirty secound wait. The kind of driving I do requires frequent shifting to and from 4hi and waiting much longer than a manual shift t-case would be a inconveinance. Also like to keep my focus on the road if having to wait for a status light is required to proceed is a factor. Lastly,when backing off the throttle coming out of 4wd electric shift let one know through sound when it has actually released the front output shaft. If someone dos'nt understand this, **** out of 4wd under light throttle and get back on the throttle and observe the what the front diff. does. Not everything in our t-case is positive engagement.

Sincerely, Mark T.

 

[StephenThomas]

RM Thompson,



I've used my electric transfer several times this winter and the switch from 2HI to 4HI is immediate every single time. There's been no hesitation whatsoever and I'm real happy. I've not needed 4LO, but have tested it a coupld of times just to make sure it works -- no problems there either.

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

Thanhs Stephen

 

[opjohnny]

I don't know when this was first started but now you can get the Laramie J package and it has a lever.