Two months ago I purchased a 1999 Ram 1500 with the 5.2 V8, Corporate 9.25 rear diff with limited slip, Dana 44/216mm front, and 231HD transfer case. After driving on the beach I have few questions. The TC was in 4HI when the rear wheels starting spinning in the sand. When I placed it in 4LO it jumped out of the hole without missing a beat. So I’d like to know how the axles and TC work in different settings. Based on what happened it appears that the front locked in 4LO but not in 4HI. I’ve driven on the beach hundreds of time but this was my first trip in this truck so can someone please explain when each of the wheels are engaged in 4HI and 4LO?

 

The front won't lock at all...nor will the rear...as you don't have lockers.

When you put it in 4wd (hi or lo...doesn't matter) the front drive shaft and the rear driveshaft will lock together and spin at the same speed...no matter what. That's why you can't drive on the pavement in 4wd. You're still running an open differential in the front though, so if one wheel loses traction, you'll only spin 1 tire in the front. Essentially, you have a 3wd truck when you put it in 4wd with that open differential in the front.

The truck will do better in 4lo because the gear ratio is a lot better for getting unstuck. High ratio is 1.00:1 if I remember right. Low is 2.72:1.

 

Thanks. That is what I needed to know.

 

So, I have a very similar Ram 1500 truck, and have been stymied as to why the traction is so poor. I don't know whether it is a 231HD or not, or the types of differentials/transfer case. But, it does have the 5.2L V8 engine, and is equipped with 4wd.

Basically, I just gave up a Ford F250 which would have had no problem getting out of a slippery spot, and now, driving the Ram, I'm surprised how poor the traction is...

After trying for a while, I noted that the two tires on the right side hadn't spun at all...

What can I do to improve traction?

 

holy old post batman!!!

lol

you have front and rear open differentials.. the worse kind of diffs to have if you want traction.. suggestions would be a locker in the rear and front.. OR LSD in the rear and locker up front

theres loads of info on the section if you search locker/LSD/diffs etc etc

 

Thank you for the suggestion.

I added to an old post, not wanting to create a new post when the subject had already been discussed, but maybe that's not much of an issue.

LSD is limited slip differential, right?

I'll check it out.

 

I've just installed a locker in my 00 Ram which was suffering from similar issues.
I'm very please with the additional traction available now. I'm even considering additing a locker to the front in the future.

Also, tires play a major role. Make sure you have suitable tires for what you're trying to drive through.