When the 4wd is not engaged should the front driveshsft still turn? All of the other 4WD's I had required you to drive in reverse to disengage the front end or the hubs. It does not show any hting in the owners manual. Only that you use the handle from 4H to 2H.

 

Driveshaft should turn. I'm not sure about the hubs, but if it doesn't say to do so...

 

Yea, I think everything will still turn except the transfer case. I know my axle still turns out of 4wd.

 

Well, I'll ask this here instead of starting a new thread. I brought up this question because I just calculated my mileage and I am only getting 10.5 mpg. This is on a 02 2500 4wd Quadcab 5.9L. I was thinking maybe the front axle was still turning and cutting my mileage. The truck has only 38000 mi and runs well. I have been warming it up in the mornings but nothing more than 5 to 10 min. What are you guys getting for mileage?

 

Hold on guys, he asked about the front diveshaft, not the axles. The driveshaft should NOT turn while in 2wd. If the transfer case has shifted back into 2wd, and the driveshaft's still turning, you have a problem with the central axle disconnect (CAD) on the front axle. Either you have a vacuum leak or the CAD unit is toast.

 

Yes, spinning that front shaft, and the gears along with it, is hurting your mileage.

 

Ramtuff is right about the disengagement mechanism, but I have never got much better gas mileage than that! I would pay to get 10.5 mgp steadily

 

Really?? I've heard some people complain about the mileage with their Ram's but not that bad. I get about 17 mpg with mine. Heck, i got 14 with my Ramcharger, and that didn't even have a lock up convertor.

 

So, the disconnect for the front axle is an electrical item? Where is it located so I can check the vacuum lines and such. Because yesterday I moved the truck a foot or so in reverse and the shaft rotated. Them I moved it forward and it still rotated. That was in 2H.

 

From what I have read on other sites it does seem to be the CAD. My 4WD light comes on and off. When it was snowy a week ago I could feel it going in and out of 4WD. I found some instructions on how to test the axle unit. Thanks guys.