Please humor me on this one. I am considering the purchase of a 1998 Dodge Ram that is 4WD. I haven't had a need for 4WD until I recently purchased some property with extremely poor access roads.

As I am not familiar with the Dodge 4WD system, could someone please enlighten me on when to use each mode? For example when should I use 4-LO, 4-HI, 2-HI or Neutral. When I am going down the interstate, do I use 2-HI or Neutral?

I'm sure it is not complicated, however I have not owned a Dodge before and I would like to know some basics before I test drive one.

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

two high when in two wheel drive, neutral doesnt spin wheels.

 

basicly you want to use 2 wheel as much as possible since our rams have whats called a Part time transfer case. where its only to be used in poor driving conditons in offroad situations or on a snow covered road. if you start to slide around use 4H, 4L is for like when your in some serious mud or snow or something like that that requires alots of torque and a slow crawl rate to get out off. netrual doesnt do anything. it completely disengages the driveline. its used for when you need to flat line tow it so that the driveshafts arnt spinning while in tow.

 

sure about that?

 

When engaging it in 4WD high from 2WD you can be moving. I think the owner's manual says you can do it at speeds up to 50 mph, but I wouldn't pull it in at those high of speeds because of the wear and tear on the driveline. If I know I need to use it, I will usually be going slow or be stopped before I put it into 4WD high.

4WD low is a different story. Put the transmission in neutral, and be either stopped or coasting very slowly before shifting it into or out of 4WD low. The transfer case may bump or thump when you switch in or out. This is normal because you are changing gears in the transfer case.

Never run in 4WD high or low on a dry road, it will ruin your drivetrain. I wouldn't even use it on an unpaved road unless I hit conditions where I am starting to spin the rear tires. If the acess roads that you will be traveling are that poor, you will be going fairly slow anyways, so you'll have time to stop and decide when to put it into 4WD. If it is engaged and it seems like the truck is binding, especially on turns, kick it back into 2WD.

 

no your right. it so the rear driveshaft can spin freely and not be turning the transfer case.

 

Thanks to all for the low-down on the 4X4 operation!