I have an 05 Dakota Slt 4.7l V8 with 4wheel drive. in the past i have been able to switch from 4 wheel drive to 2 wheel drive while driving my truck will continue in 4wheel drive for a few seconds and then switch but when it switches it feels like i ran over a curb and just dropped to the ground. The truck has 117k miles on it. Any suggestions on what i need to make it switch flawlessly again?

 

How fast you going when your switching it?

 

I switch it while in drive but not moving give it a few seconds and start moving. It switches over when i reach about 15mph

 

I was under the impression that switching from 2wd to 4Lock or 4Lo should be done when the truck is in neutral. I suppose it is possible that damage may have occurred switching while in drive. That being said, I really hope it isn't anything serious.

 

I know that between 4lo and anything you have to switch to neutral. It will sit there and just leave the 4wd light flashing until it is switched into neutral. doesnt do that from 4hi to 2wd

 

I switch mine on the fly doing about 10 or less.

To the OP when was the last time you had the transmission and transfer case serviced?

 

I got the truck from my dad. and im pretty sure its never had that looked at. im assuming thats where i should start

 

If you have tow haul mode engaged when in Low Lock, you will get a sharp jerk when the transmission downshifts from second to low. Disengage tow-haul when in 4WD low lock. You will still feel a jerk when the transmission downshifts, but it will not be as harsh.

Always stop and shift into neutral before engaging low-lock. This is nothing new. In addition to the Dakota, I also have a 4WD Suburban and a Jeep, and have had a 4WD Bronco and Blazer. All recommend stop and shift into neutral before engaging 4WD Low. Shift on the fly is for 4WD High only. The Jeep has a manual tranny. Everything else is automatic. Dakota is full time 4WD (which I like a heck of a lot more than I expected). Everything else is part time 4WD. Suburban has auto locking front hubs. The others are manual hubs. The instructions are universally the same for shifting into low lock. No matter what the configuration.

FYI. Many times after driving in 4WD Low Lock on hard packed dirt, or for extended periods, it is difficult to shift the transfer case out of low lock. Backing up for about twenty feet will usually make shifting out of low lock much easier.

 

I would start with having your diffs, transmission, and transfer case all serviced. New fluids and if you have a shop do it, also have them check your linkages.