I just recently bought a used 97 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4. This truck has been awesome, but while driving today (christmas day) the check engine light came on... I pulled over right away and didnt hear any noises and checked all the fluides and toped everything off that needed. Check Engine went off and then drove for about 15 more miles and got almoste to my destination and the check engine light came on and my speed wouldnt go over 55 mph then started to drop slowly. Finally it got to 25 and wouldnt go any faster and pulled over again and didnt hear anything again. I had my wife rev the motor just to 2000 rpm's and heard a noise coming from where i think its the drive shaft goes into the transmission and it clincking noise so i shut it off and left it on the side of the road and have to wait for AAA tomorrow to tow it to a Auto place for me. I dont know anything about Trucks so if anyone has any input on this for me i will be thankful for it. and FYI the truck does shift through all the gears and 4 wheel drive works in High and Low (snow on the ground so I had to use it ) Thanks again fellow dodge owners and Merry Christmas

 

Snap ring on the output shaft in the t-case gave up, and your t-case has lunched itself. Probably.

 

So is this a cheap fix? I only have about $1,000 to spend

 

yeah, at worst case you can pick up a "new to you" used transfer case from a local junkyard or craigslist ect, in the 300 bucks range.

 

Ok, ive never worked on a Dodge before though so I have no clue to what im doing. I only know basic bolt ons... Ive been told to take it to AAMCO transmissions, but also heard they charge about $2,000 to replace stuff...

 

replacing a transfer case, even for a first timer is basically remove and replace. remove the front and rear driveshaft, then unhook anything hooked to the transfer case, linkages and sensors. then unbolt it from the trans and crossmember tranny mount. be sure to keep somethign jacked up under the trans so it is supported.
do a search on here, im sure there is a thread and lots of pics to guide you through it, it will save you lot of money to do it yourself than to bring it to a garage

 

I've looked into the transfer case threads and alot have a similar problem, except my 4 wheel drive still works and everything still shifts in all the gears?! could it be something else? Im not really a truck guy so I dont feel comfortable doing it my self, so thats why I asked what a good known shop would be to go to.

 

well i personally hate chain shops of any type for mechanical work, you'll get raped every time. ask around in your local area for a good tranny guy thats not a chain IMO

 

When the snap ring fails, it allows parts to move around in the t-case, that should not. They grind against each other in ways they normally cannot. If everything still works as it should, then, yank the rear driveshaft, check the play in the shaft, or, pull the tailshaft housing, and check the snap ring. If it is gone, you may still be able to save the day with a transer case saver. Install it, and be done with it. If the parts are too trashed, all you will be doing is postponing the inevitable.

Have a look, see what's going on, take it from there.

Ammco is to transmissions, what MacDonalds is to Haut Cuisine.

 

So I dropped my truck off to the tranny shop today... and I didnt know this but they told me I still could of drove my truck while its in 4 wheel drive but not going over 45 mph?! So im hoping when they look at it more in detail tomorrow its going to be a simple fix and I think im going to ask the shop to do the t-case saver also