Hello Folks,

I have a '97 Dodge Ram with auto transmission. I frequently take it off-road. Getting into and out of 4WH has never been a problem. When the terrain calls for 4WL I have no problem getting into low range by coming to a near stop (most of the time a complete stop), putting it in neutral then shifting on down to 4WL.

I do however has a problem when shifting out of 4WL. The books says (I think) that I should be able to putting the transmission in neutral then shift out. However, this doesn't work for me. What I have to do is put transmission in neutral THEN kill the engine and shift of of 4WL ...... restart the engine and I'm good to go.

Anyone else have this problem? Thanks ....... Jason

 

I don't have that problem but I kill it to shift in and out anyway because I don't like the sound of gear clash.
You need to be rolling under 3mph for the shift if you do it while the engine is running (not stopped).
I've heard that you should have it in neutral for a few seconds to let everything slow down before the shift but I haven't tried that.

 

I stop the truck, put it in neutral, slam the lever into LO, back into drive, and I'm motoring.
I don't know why you guys have to shut the engine off.

 

Because 4Lo isn't synchronized like 4Hi is. Yeah, best bet is moving VERY slowly, and SLAM the shifter into the range you want. Don't just massage it, it doesn't like it much.

 

T-cases dont really like hangin out in neutral much. Shifting quickly from Hi to Low seems to work best with these modern chain drivin units.

 

I don't like the sound of gear clash.

 

Thanks Sheriff. I have absolutely no problem going into/out of 4WH. Putting into 4WL is no problem.... I always run in 4WH first.... then put transmission into neutral, stop my truck then shift on down to 4WL. It's only when coming out of 4WL that I have a problem.... which I get around by killing the engine.... shift out then restart.

This wouldn't be a major problem but some trails I ride on require only 4WH for a mile or so, then need 4WL for a short distance.... and go back to a 4WH need only. Recently I traveled on a trail in Utah shutting the engine off 6-7 times in a 10 or so mile stretch....... and that gets annoying .....

 

And it's never really a good idea to shut your motor off while 4wheelin...

 

I don't like shutting down........ but I cant get out of 4WL by simply putting the trans in neutral then shifting out... What else can I try??

 

I've heard some people back up a few feet before shifting out of 4wl ..... any thoughts on this approach??