I just looked at some RAMS, 1500 and 2500.

It's amazing but, the sales person knew ZERO about technical issues. I don't think he even knew what a differential did so he couldn't answer any of my questions. All he kept saying was this truck should work fine for you.

So I am digging for information. I am an old school 4WD person. Free/Lock hubs are gone. Does anyone know how the RAM 1500 front differentials and axels are locked when shifting into 4WD? In 2WD is the front differential in motion or not. F150 is locked at the wheel by vacuum actuators which always fail at some point when the truck gets older. The 1500 just like the F150 has the push button crap to engage the front end.

In 4WD do these truck have any kind of traction control? Is there a full locked option in 4WD low and high?

The RAM Tradesman 5.7 2500 had a lever on the floor to control the front differential. Is it a manual system and how is front end locked up on the 2500.

There is nothing worse then needing to lock up when you are 40 miles from a main road and the system doesn't work. A manual lever always works.

Trying to get info from the dealers is like pulling teeth and I can't find the info on the RAM web sight either. It was if I was the first person who ever asked a 4WD question. I also asked, just out of curiosity what the MPG would be on the 5.7 2500 on a long highway speed trip. The guy went over to the sticker and couldn't find the number. How is it possible that a car guy would not know that 8000 pound trucks not have that on the sticker? All I was looking for was a ball park number 13, 14, 15 , 16 MPG? He had no idea.

I don't really want to go to the dealer on Sunday and crawls under these trucks to figure it all out.

 

First mistake, asking a car salemans "anything" at all. All a salesman knows how to do is pencil whip the contract for the sale. If you can find a decent tech in a dealership anywhere, thats the person you should be asking your questions to. Dont ask just one tech, ask several tech`s, see how many different answers you get. Have them show you the differences. If they dont have time to at least do that for you, go to another dealership until you`re satisfied with the answers to your questions.

 

LU229,

You are 100 percent correct. I was at the dealer on Labor day thinking they would be closed. I was looking at trucks when one of the sales guys jumped me. He was actually a nice fellow, just didn't know anything like you mention.

I am an engineer and know drive systems and engines. If I get the wheels off the ground and look at the systems I can figure them out. I just don't want to ask a dealer to put the truck up on the lift. I hate dealers so much I do everything possible to know before I go in. Drive systems are changing and it's difficult to ferret all this out.

I can crawl under the trucks and try to spin shafts but that's difficult. I know for certain that the F150 is completely free when in 2WD but. On a new truck seals, bearings and things are still tight and I can't rotate the front drive shaft with my grip. The only way I know is get the wheels off the ground, rotate them and watch how all the shafts move or not.

My last 2 dealer car purchases were done by email I refused to go to the dealer more the once and that was to pick up the car. Now it's time to replace my old Toyota T100.

I have to say, I really hate all this automatic crap. All the automatic shift on the fly transfer cases and differentials are repair bills just waiting to happen.

The one on my T100 never worked when it was cold. I disabled the automatic differential and put old style free/lock hubs on it. Now it works every time.

I will say while looking at a Tundra, again, the sales person knew nothing at the first technical question. He called a smart guy who gave me all the answers I needed. That is what should happen.

I still need to know how the RAM truck systems work before I ever consider buying one. This stuff should be easily available at the manufacturer web sights without having to dig around for hours.