Ok, number one....due to the winter season here in chicago i like to switch to 4h due to slick roads. When I go to start off at low speeds for a turn or even some times just starting out, the truck and steering are hesitating, and it feels like i have my foot on the break and someone turned off my power steering...any ideas??

Secondary...I sit in a parking lot for 2 minutes or even just to warm up my truck....it sounds like there is a snake hissing in my dashboard. When i pull away it stops but it will hiss, get louder and stop for about a second, then start all over again. This is with my heat running.

I would appreciate any feedback.

 

The 4 wheel high is easy.
With all the extra load placed on the engine due to moving all 4 wheels & diff etc, there are certain ammounts of power loss overheads to contend with. Also, the extra friction of all 4 wheels driving at the same time and having to turn adds a lot of extra drag.
This obviously results in the less than sparkling performance we are used to with a Hemi and also the heavier steering, as the front has to contend with the back set of wheels when turning. This is exacerbated by the engine turning over at low revs, as you say at low speed, not really producing lots of power to offset these losses.
Just be glad your not driving something with a less powerful engine. You REALLY notice this with a small engined 4X4.
The hissing sound......well it could just be the heater and or the engine management system running the engine rich due to it being cold.
Just a thought.
Hope this all helps.
Al.

 

I live in the Chicago area as well, so I know what you mean.

On the 4wd thing, you didn't say if you are on dry pavement when you experience that. On a dry turn, you'll feel the front end feel like it's binding up if in 4wd, which is not good to continue to do long term. If it's in snow or ice, there's something else wrong as there should be enough traction loss to overcome that. Take it in and have it looked at.

On the heater, I've never experienced that, but by the sound of it, I'd guess you have a vacuum leak somewhere back there. It's not uncommon to hear a brief hiss when changing modes on the heater, but it shouldn't last. Again, I'd take it back it (assuming you're still in warranty). Pulling the dash apart to find something like that on your own can be a PITA.

 

Mill500 is right on the 4x4 problem. As far as the noise, if your running your heat in any defrost mode, your a/c compressor is running. Your probably hearing the refrigerant when the compressor cycles on and off.