Ram 2500 4x4 Cummins-opinions

[TMGT]

My 07 can be put in 2wd low, but that's because I have manual locking hubs.

Does the '13 and up have an axle disconnect like the second gen trucks?

 

[deserteagle71]

My Dodge/Cummins is a 2004 dually - with the aftermarket "Free Spin" kit (hubs) in the front axle. Anytime I'm backing in under the big camper, or backing up with one of the trailers, the transfer case is in Low and the hubs are unlocked. Makes things so much easier and controllable.

 

[TMGT]

My Dodge/Cummins is a 2004 dually - with the aftermarket "Free Spin" kit (hubs) in the front axle. Anytime I'm backing in under the big camper, or backing up with one of the trailers, the transfer case is in Low and the hubs are unlocked. Makes things so much easier and controllable.

Which kit did you go with? I've been very pleased with my Spyntec.

 

[RyeThomas]

2013 and up 3500- 2014 and up 2500 have CAD. You can spend $150 on a plug and play kit to put the transfer case in 4low but the front axle doesn’t lock. Much cheaper than putting a free hub kit on a third gen or older Ram. I priced them out when I had my 04 and 2-06’s and my 12, always wanted to but never could spend that much cash.

This makes the truck far more useful when backing with heavy loads. No more trans shudder or barking tires.

 

[TMGT]

I did it because I was about the mileage where the unit bearings start to go, and while they aren't too expensive if you replace them yourself, I was afraid I would be out of town when they went and be forced to pay someone else to do them. The cost for someone else to do them would be close to what the kit cost so I considered it preventative maintenance.
The increase in mileage, easier steering an less wear on the truck was a bonus.

I keep my vehicles as long as I can, so I considered it a long term investment.

 

[deserteagle71]

Which kit did you go with? I've been very pleased with my Spyntec.

No idea. Bought the truck used and the kit was already installed. All I know is that it has Mile Marker heavy duty hubs. But I love having them - the Dodge I had before this did not have them and I had to put up with the binding when I put the transfer case in 4-Lo. I rarely need 4wd in my truck but I use the low range of the transfer case constantly. Added bonus of course is not have all that stuff in the front axle turning, causing drag and wearing out components needlessly.

 

[deerefan]

No idea. Bought the truck used and the kit was already installed. All I know is that it has Mile Marker heavy duty hubs. But I love having them - the Dodge I had before this did not have them and I had to put up with the binding when I put the transfer case in 4-Lo. I rarely need 4wd in my truck but I use the low range of the transfer case constantly. Added bonus of course is not have all that stuff in the front axle turning, causing drag and wearing out components needlessly.

Explain the 2-low setup-locks the rears only??

 

[BigBlue1]

Explain the 2-low setup-locks the rears only??

I think our modern Ram trucks (and probably other brands) use electric actuators to lock the front hubs. The 'kit' does an electronic override to prevent the normal locking that the computer does when you switch to 4WD (eg 4-LO). So the transfer case still turns the front driveshaft to the axle but the hubs don't lock, thus resulting in 2-LO. I'm speculating here...

Rob

 

[TMGT]

Explain the 2-low setup-locks the rears only??

For the free spin kit it just goes into 4low like normal, but since the front hubs are not locked it only powers rear tires.

The newer trucks just leave one axle unlocked so the spiders in the diff spin instead of powering the front tires.

 

[deserteagle71]

Explain the 2-low setup-locks the rears only??

In your Ram, when you pull your lever (or turn your switch) to the 4-Lo position that engages both front and rear axles so that all 4 tires are getting power. The free-spin kit in essence turns the Dodge/Ram into a Ford type system because it add free-wheeling hubs to the front wheel assemblies. When the hubs are turned to the "free" position the front wheels are completely disconnected from the front axles. So when I use 4-Lo in my Dodge but do not turn the front hubs to the "lock" position, even though the front driveshaft and front axles turn, there is no connection to the front wheels so there is no binding. There is no "lock" involved as far as the rears. Dodge used to provide stock free-wheeling hubs on their pickups in the early 90s, no idea why they quit. Makes no sense.