4.5 Gen PW Shifter, Locker & Sway Bar Control Panels

[el_barto]

Manual Transfer Case version remains the best looking, change my mind.
Im partial since I have a 2019. I love the icons with a little "lock" showing which diffs are locked along with text. I wish there was a little icon for the sway bar like the 2018 and earlier ones had, vs just "Sway bar" text.

Manual transfer case, 2019-2024:


Electronic Transfer Case, 2021-2024, Brushed Silver Knob


Electronic Transfer Case, Gloss Black Center Knob, Upper Trims. 2021-2024


2025+ Electronic Transfer Case, Column Shifter

 

[SolidAxleorBust]

No question manual shifter looks better, and works well. Question is, since 2018 does the front locker and sway bar disco work with out expensive mods?

 

[el_barto]

I haven’t had any issues in my 2019, and I don’t think I’ve seen any posts about people having issues, so it would be my take that reliability on the 2019+ lockers and sway bar disconnect has improved vs earlier versions.

It is nice that the rear locker can be used in 4hi and 2hi; and the sway bar disconnect can be used in 4hi on the 2019+…I believe it was all reserved for 4Lo only previously…though I wish the speed limit for the sway bar disconnect was a bit higher than 18mph son it could be used on washboard roads

 

[SolidAxleorBust]

Good to hear. 2018 prior sway bar disco was not water proof and would never work at all. Front locker maybe 10% of the time. There were literally hundreds of auto motive journalist videos off road fighting that silly ness, and I could not believe it when I learned I needed expensive aftermarket fixes. Locker in 4 Hi is welcome, as I use that occasionally climbing a snowy hill. Now to see what they do for power train in the future since you cannot order paint for 2025.

 

[tuckjack]

No issues here on a 2021 either locking the axles or disconnecting the sway bars. I disconnect and reconnect the swaybars regularly and haven't fun into an issue.

 

[SolidAxleorBust]

Thanks guys, that takes 2 of the worst design flaws next to the horrific transmission off the table. Makes me feel better. You are never sure if things are fixed or not.

 

[H3LZSN1P3R]

So the 2025 gasser also has an electronic column shift now?

 

[el_barto]

So the 2025 gasser also has an electronic column shift now?

Yes they switched the Hemi to column shifter for 2025

 

[el_barto]

Thanks guys, that takes 2 of the worst design flaws next to the horrific transmission off the table. Makes me feel better. You are never sure if things are fixed or not.

They didn’t note any real changes to the lockers or sway bar in 2019, but that’s not to say they didn’t make some behind the scenes improvements. But yeah, definitely haven’t seen people complaining about them like I remember reading for the 3rd and 4th gen trucks; and it’s been 5 years on the road and I think the sales of them increased as well, so you would expect to see feedback if it was an issue.

I do know the entire truck electrical architecture changed in 2019 (“PowerNet”), and for 2025 it’s the “Atlantis” architecture, I don’t know really what that means though.

The ZF transmission was the big thing that pushed me to the 2019 model. I think the two things they still could improve: 1)
better shocks. The Bilstein 4600s are OK, but when nearly every other off road focused truck is running 2+” shocks with external reservoirs, the 4600s are pretty dated. 2) fix the rear suspension geometry that causes power hop.

 

[SolidAxleorBust]

Yeh, missing the ZF ended up being a tragedy. The Vat Of Lead series before is a nightmare. I tried the silly Fox shocks, and went back to the Bilstein's. Really dont think they are horrible.