dave41079
Well-Known Member
I'll be there for a big Tacomaworld meet March 25-28. You're more than welcome to come up. There will be vehicles from stock to truggies there.
Ram Heavy Duty Forum
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Electronic transfer case versus manual
- Thread starter Jasonanv123
- Start date
AnthonyD1978
Well-Known Member
I've had both (owned a 5th gen 1500 Laramie).
Cosmetically, I prefer the electronic TC and the full center console it gives you. From a practical stand point I prefer the manual and bench seat. I use that empty space down by the shifter to mount screens for my gadgets and items I need to get to or see quickly. The full console tends to put things out of sight (which can be good for security).
The bench seat storage is enough for me right now, but I'm going to remove the CD player in the lower bench seat section to get even more room.
In my opinion the electronic TC will be more reliable overall, but if and when there is an issue it will be harder to diagnose and more expensive to fix.
Cosmetically, I prefer the electronic TC and the full center console it gives you. From a practical stand point I prefer the manual and bench seat. I use that empty space down by the shifter to mount screens for my gadgets and items I need to get to or see quickly. The full console tends to put things out of sight (which can be good for security).
The bench seat storage is enough for me right now, but I'm going to remove the CD player in the lower bench seat section to get even more room.
In my opinion the electronic TC will be more reliable overall, but if and when there is an issue it will be harder to diagnose and more expensive to fix.
desert_wagon
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Custom from shift solutions co
desert_wagon
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Stojanowski
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Manual because EMPs
dave41079
Well-Known Member
So with the ice/snow we've been getting all week, the electronic transfer case has been great. Clear roads, push a button and 2wd...patchy or crappy roads, push a button and 4wd. It worked flawlessly constantly going back and forth. The only thing I would change is putting the 2wd button directly above the 4wd button.
That is where I wish we had a 4-auto mode.
I find it’s pretty easy with the manual shifter to go in and out of 4hi/2hi on the fly, can do it without looking.... I’d probably have to look with the electronic shifter to make sure I hit the right button.
H3LZSN1P3R
You're doing it wrong
4auto is a garbage system.... the buttons are easy to hit while driving without looking though i like the floor shift as all my old trucks have it but the buttons are not bad at all
AnthonyD1978
Well-Known Member
The 4auto system has a serious flaw if you do any serious off-roading. The transfer case in the 4auto uses clutch packs. These clutches can overheat (there is an overheat warning) and throw in you in 2wd mode. This will happen in 4auto, 4hi, and 4lo with that transfer case. This is one of reasons I passed on the new RAM TRX. I was really hoping they would have used a proper gear driven TC in that truck. It's a great system on the pavement and light off road though.
Here is my 5th gen 1500 that uses the 4auto TC and you can see when the TC switches to 2wd mode. The video does not do this hill justice. I've had the system overheat on multiple occasions. My PW crawls up this hill without issue.
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Very interesting...I’d love too see a video of the PW on that same hill. No doubt it’s steep, but I imagine it is a walk in the park for the PW.
AnthonyD1978
Well-Known Member
I've done it a few times in the PW. It just crawls up it without issue. Only slightly pausing on the rock shelves. I will try to get video next time I take that path.