What I've got:
2000 Dodge Dakota SRT 4x4 4.7 v8 Automatic

Having major frustrations here with my 4WD. Did the whole linkage grommet replacement so I know my transfer case is able to shift into 4low, 4hi and back to 2WD. What's happening is, once I shift into either 4WD, my front axle kind of sputters as I drive, almost as if it's catching only part of the time. The axles slip/skid more the faster I go. Is there something wrong with my actuator? The synchros in the front hubs? Is it an electrical/computer problem?
Any advice would really be appreciated as I live in Santa Fe and we just got 8 1/2 in. snow overnight. A RWD sled just isn't gonna cut it out here.

 

In a 2000,

There are no actuators. There are no synchro's in the hubs and it's all mechanical. There are no electrical or computers involved.

The front hubs are locked physically to the wheels. They move all the time the truck is moving as does the front differential and front driveshaft. The only thing that happens when you put in in 4wd is that the transfer case sends power to the front instead of it just coasting.

I'm assuming you have the part time system, most of us do. You aren't trying to drive it, in 4wd, on dry surfaces are you? It's a part time system. When you try to turn it's going to feel like it's binding up and that's NORMAL. There's nothing to allow for slip between the front/rear differentials.

 

You may want to remove the inspection cover on the front differential and insect the spider gears. If they are broken, that will cause problems in 4 wheel drive.

 

It's binding regardless if I'm turning or going straight or anything. You may say this is normal but I disagree, this doesn't feel right. The front axle should not just periodically and rapidly seize up for a split second while driving.

 

Pull the cover on the differential.

It is normal for it to bind if you're trying to turn on dry pavement, that's the nature of a part time system. But, it should not bind going straight.

You've got some damaged gears.

 

I agree with them. If you broke the spiders, you wouldn't know until you turned. They stay pretty much stationary going straight. Sounding like you have a ring/pinion issue.

 

Just guessing here, is there any chance the rear gears were changed?

 

if it was a gear mismatch, the truck would stop rolling. Had somebody post about that a few weeks back, had 3.55 front and 3.92 back and the truck would roll about 10 feet in 4WD then act like it was in park.