I have a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 5.7L. After driving with 4x4 on, when I disengage it my truck vibrates vicously with acceleration. I have to stop the truck, drive in reverse for a short distance, then go. This seems to solve the problem, but can be a hassle. I have never had to do this before and have used the 4WD quite frequently over the past 100,000 miles due to living in Maine, Vermont, and Newhampshire. Any thoughts would be appreciated!

 

Have you serviced your transfercase every 30kmi with ATF+4 as stated per manual?

Sounds like your 4wd isn't completely disengaging when you go back to 2wd. By going in reverse and with the **** in the 2Hi position, you are disengaging it "manually". This is more a common problem in 4Lo than 4Hi(engagement/disengagement issue)
Maybe your t-case sensor is going or gone bad? I thought all the 3rd gen's were electronically controlled, maybe your 2003 is vacuum controlled still???

 

It helps to put it in neutral and allow the truck to roll back slightly before engaging drive. This helps the transfer case to disengage.

 

right, but dont forget, the 06+ rams w/electronic controls allow you to shift On-The-Fly up to 55mph(as stated in the manual). I've shifted into and out of 4wd at speeds of 70mph and couldn't feel or tell the diference other than the light on the dash telling me what my status was.

'03 stick lever style should still allow you to shift on the fly to and from 2H-4H, but I don't think it's anything like the electronic controlled Rams???

4Lo is the same for both though.

 

I have the 03 hemi with the floor shifter and have never experienced this problem i don't think there is anything electronic about it shifting cause as soon as i pull it in to four high its locked maybe it has something to do with u joints

 

Hold on here....

Dirtydog are you saying that since I have a 2008 I can change in and out of 4WD while I am driving. If this is right it sucks to be misinformed. Everything I have read on the 4WD operation(this is my first truck with 4WD) says that it is best to be in a stopped position to engage the 4wd and also to dis-engage.

on a side note---the lights in your grill look sick!!!