Hi all, I have a QC 4x4 short bed Hemi which was originally built (I believe) in 2004 (I was told it was a 2005 model). I needed a few parts and located a damaged Hemi of (apparently) the same year (which is incredible, here in Ireland!). The two Rams have different drive systems. Mine has a floor change drive selector 4H/2H/4L etc and the damaged car has an electronic switch on the dash (AWD/4H/4L) presumably for shift-on-the-fly operation.

Four questions:
When did the change from floor change to electronic take place?
Is it a feasible job to convert mine to the electronic shift or does this require changing gearbox/transfer box/diffs or is it just the transfer box/looms etc?
Can the electronic version run in 2WD?
On either version, what difflocks engage when in 4H/4L?

Thanks, Malcolm

 

I believe you could get either electronic or floor shifters although some have said its tough to find one that's not electronic. As for the awd model, they are pretty rare, I believe they had to be special ordered, although when mine was bought it just so happened they had it on the lot. As for conversion I'm not sure, but it seems like more headache than its worth. As for regular electronic ones running in 2wd, yes they can, but the awd one you came across can not.

 

There are basically three '04 4x4 1500 setups. Manual shifting (2WD/N/4HI/4LO), Electronic Shifting (2WD/N/4HI/4LO) and the AWD model which was pretty much short-lived ('04 & '05).
The AWD never was a big demand because it lacked true 2WD mode and the fact that it does not lend itself to lifted applications (the setup does not work with most, if not all, lift kits on the market).
Your manual setup features a manually shifted transfer case via a linkage setup and in a pinch can be operated by hand underneath the truck at the transfer case itself. The other models use an electronic shifter (vacuum actuated). So a transfer case swap would be necessary.

IMO I'd stick with the good, old-fashioned stick. I had a hell of a time finding my truck (new on the lot) with the upscale Laramie package and a manual transfer case (which I wanted). IMO, the electronic one is just something else that can go wrong out on the trail...

 

Im with Hammer to have a manual shift 4x4 is like a pot of gold, they rarely ever break, i looked around and couldnt come to a good deal with a truck with a manual shift 4x4 twice.... frist truck the electric switch broke(4x4 Ranger), and ive seen to many people on here with their electric switches broke

 

I love my awd saves me rear tires lol