Ok I just bought an 01 ram 1500 4wd single cab 5.9 auto with about 69k on it and it runs great but its having some 4wd issues when you put it into 4wd it kinda grinds when going in and then sometimes drops into gear really hard and then when you start to go the rpms get high and it shifts hard then the gas starts to stick???? and then it slips out of gear and bangs really hard??? now when it is out of 4wd it drives perfect and shifts flawless it is just when its in 4wd it drives like crap and pops out of gear??? now I don't think its the tranney because it drives 100% when its not in 4wd. I have a friend who said it maby could have something to do with the transfer case??? The truck has a good size lift on it so maby it's something to do with the lift? I really don't know a thing at all about dodge rams. I drive an 07 chrysler 300c hemi so I know a lot about 300c's but nothing about rams I bought this truck because I have a tow pkg on my 300c and I pull my atv with it.Yah I know I'm nuts!!! that's why I bought this truck hehe. I was stupid and did not test the 4wd yah so but I only paid $6,000 for it so if there is someone out there who might know something at all??? or tell me what I should do? My dodge dealer is really really bad so I thought I would try here before I take it there. Also I'm wondering if it is ok and safe on the truck to drive it the the way it is if I dont use the 4wd? Like I said it drives 100% when not in 4wd. Please Help!!!! Thanks

 

uh...sounds like you're putting it into 4lo maybe? there are 4 positions on the transfer case lever, 4L, N, 2H, and 4H. ANYtime you're on dry concrete (rained on concrete counts as dry) or non-slipery surfaces, keep it in 2H. 4H is your normal 4x4 mode, it should (if there's nothing wrong) go in just fine without much banging, grinding or drama. it kinda sounds like you're trying to hit up 4L, low range, which gives you a 2.73 or something reduction, making it rev high, shift different, and if you're going at any kind of speed when you shift it it WILL bang. you should also be in neutral when shifting into 4LO and stopped or almost stopped. sorry if i'm giving you a lesson in something you know, just that you said you weren't sure. hope this helps!

 

there should be a diagram of the 4 wheel drive shift pattern on the driver side sun visor
or at least there is in my 2001. hope this is usefull