I am looking to buy a new(er) RAM. I currently drive a 96 RAM 1500 4x4 that now has over 400000 kms. Great truck but it is time to buy something newer.

I have been looking at 2005 and newer RAMs and have noticed some different terminology in the ads. Some trucks are listed as having AWD (all-wheel drive) and some list Traction-Control. Is this the same thing for these trucks and people are incorrectly using different names for it?

Also, I have noticed the labeling on the electric 4x4 controls varies as well. Some controls show "2WD/4X4-HI/4X4-Low", others show "2WD/4x4 Lock/4x4 Low" or "AWD/4x4 lock/4x4 Low"

Can someone explain the differences and what the correct terminology for these should be?

Thanks

 

AWD has all 4 wheels driving at the same time, thiers a center DIFF. that replaces a transfer case in a 4wd system.

A 4wd system has 2 hi ( operate in 2wd, rear wheals drive ) 4low ( all four wheals drive, but in a ultra low gear that has one speed) 4 hi ( all four wheels drive up to the full gearing in the transmisson)

Traction control is a coumputer that detects when any four drive wheels are slipping, it can also stop any drive wheels and adjust with braking, example, to slow down a drive wheel, to allow a drive wheal to catch up for traction.

AWD will dectect slipage and adjust on the fly, where as in a 4wd sytem, the driver adjusts to slipage and can shift on the fly.

OLd school 4wd, the driver had to get out and turn a dial on each front drive axle, to lock the axles.

AWD tends not to have a ultra low gear that a 4wd will have, 4low on a 4wd is for pulling at low speed, or crawling up or down enbankments were the engine helps with braking.

 

Thanks for the reply. Maybe I should clarify my question..

When looking at 2005 and newer 4x4 Dodge RAM 1500's I have seen trucked listed with features like Traction Control, Full time 4x4 and All Wheeel Drive. I understand the difference between the technologies. Are these options actually what people are calling them or are they using incorrect terminology to describe the same feature? Did Dodge offer full-time 4x4 with traction control?

I also noticed the labeling on some of the models with electric 4x4 switch (instead of the floor shifter) differs. One of the labels listed "2wd/4x4 lock/4x4 lo". Does the "4x4 lock" indicate that model had a "differential locker" installed as a factory option?

 

Yes there are some awd models avail. Some 4x4s have an electric switch to engage 4 wheel drive an some have the floor shifter. They are accurately listed in all those cases.

 

4lock is really 4hi. It locks the front and rear diffs via the transfer case. It doesn't come with an actual locker, but you really don't need one as the setup seems effective as it is.

 

I don't think 3rd Gens had "Traction Control" did they? I've owned 2, a 07 1500 and now an 06 3500 Laramie and all I've had is the electronic transfercase... curious.

 

my 07 laramie has the electronic transfer case, with the options labeled as 2wd, 4wd auto, 4wd lock and 4wd lo. My truck also does have traction control.

 

My only traction control is my right foot

You'd have to drive like a complete loon to need traction control when in 4wd. Even in 2wd mine only gets loose if I do it on purpose.