New truck?!?

if you are beating on it absolutely. the gear reduction makes a lot of torque but if you are operating as normal, no. it wouldn’t only be wear and tear on the planetary gear set in the transfer case
I agree. I wonder why manufactures went away from offering it as a gear selection on the tcase? Maybe cost? Or because most do not use it? Would you use it?
 
Thanks. @BrendanC and I think were thinking the same thing. In theory, I get it.

I used to use 4lo on some job sites with my 15k goose in adverse conditions. Have you ever had anyone create a switch for the front actuator, I believe it is ground switched, which makes it easy.

@BrendanC did you say that there was a kit?
front actuator is needs a key switched +12v signal at one pin and when it is commanded to extend another +12 signal is sent to it. when told to retract the second +12v signal is turned off and the key switched +12v will retract it. what vehicle do you have?
 
front actuator is needs a key switched +12v signal at one pin and when it is commanded to extend another +12 signal is sent to it. when told to retract the second +12v signal is turned off and the key switched +12v will retract it. what vehicle do you have?
well I have 3 gm vehicles that I would do it to,
04 burb,
99 burb gmt400
15 gmc 3500 gas
maybe 04 tahoe

wow you sound like you have done this before, i am impressed
 
well I have 3 gm vehicles that I would do it to,
04 burb,
99 burb gmt400
15 gmc 3500 gas
maybe 04 tahoe

wow you sound like you have done this before, i am impressed
i converted my 02 2500HD to 4wd so i know the actuator wiring well. BD Diesel sells the kit to unlock the front diff. different kits for 2014+ trucks however. for the GMT400 you can just interrupt the ground to the actuator or dorman sells a kit to convert to the gmt800 electric actuator to get rid of the sometimes slow to engage thermal actuator.
 
I live in Houston(ish). My last car and my current CR-V I bought last week are AWD. I never had AWD previously except for a Subaru in the 90's. I'm generally penurious but have come to the feeling the AWD is a good idea. Especially with our harsh winters and blizzards. That once a decade 1/2" of snow wreaks havoc. :)
 
I'll remember that during the next ice storm when all the 4x4 guys are slamming into concrete dividers, telephone poles, each other, And other motorist.
Those who have more "macho" than common sense will always be among us.....
 
From a Mechanic in North Texas' point of view.....4WD/AWD is rarely needed here, In fact I'd say people having 4WD gives them to much confidence leading to poor decisions.
I love the classics line when it comes to repairing 4WD systems/components....."I never use it" :ROFLMAO:
Last snowstorm we had a while back some Georgia moron in a Jeep was tailgating me as we were going about 10mph down the main drag. It was that bad. I'd finally had enough, stopped in the middle of the street and got out with him. Told him he could either back up off me, or get a ticket. And I absolutely would have called for a ticket book to write the thing then and there since I don't carry one on a daily basis.

'4WD doesn't help you stop'
 
I'll remember that during the next ice storm when all the 4x4 guys are slamming into concrete dividers, telephone poles, each other, And other motorist.
100% correct. Every year, on my nearest main road, it gets iced over for about a week, and sure enough there is at least one big diesel monster truck, stuck on the side of the road, with a white sheet in the window.
 
Brendan,
That is not entirely true on the Ford with the turn dial tcase. My silver dually has a turn dial and the hubs are "auto" and "Lock". My white dually has a manual tcase and has free and lock on the hubs. I use 2wd low multiple times a day in it. My Tacoma has a switch for 2wd low and is a manual...I wouldn't have it any other way.
 
Brendan,
That is not entirely true on the Ford with the turn dial tcase. My silver dually has a turn dial and the hubs are "auto" and "Lock". My white dually has a manual tcase and has free and lock on the hubs. I use 2wd low multiple times a day in it. My Tacoma has a switch for 2wd low and is a manual...I wouldn't have it any other way.
interesting. i don’t support, buy or work on fords other than the couple in our fleet and have told the people i answer to that i won’t work on anymore they purchase. i just don’t hate myself that much.
 
I was looking for a switch I could put in the silver truck for 2wd low without any luck.
I guess the 4.7 1st and the 4.30s will do for now.
 
I was looking for a switch I could put in the silver truck for 2wd low without any luck.
I guess the 4.7 1st and the 4.30s will do for now.
aren’t the hubs vacuum actuated?
solenoid valve, couple hose clamps and fittings and wire it up to an upfitter switch.
 
interesting. i don’t support, buy or work on fords other than the couple in our fleet and have told the people i answer to that i won’t work on anymore they purchase. i just don’t hate myself that much.

I don't find Ford's any harder to work on than GM....Especially '19 & up 1500 GM trucks.
 
I don't find Ford's any harder to work on than GM....Especially '19 & up 1500 GM trucks.
19+ gm trucks have been wonderful to me and the company that owns them. 8 quarts of oil and a filter every 6k. multiple in the 100k range and a half ton pushing close to 200k.
 
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Chevys just come with all their parts and fluids from the factory. NOTHING LIKE trouble shooting a truck you bought new, ran 1,300 miles only to trouble shoot the trailer light connector has Nothing....nada for any power. They forgot put put the dang fuses in.
My Buddy's 21 f250 had a chronic dead battery after sitting two days. The LED headlights have fans in them it seems and his were never shutting off. Mine run 5 minutes after I shut the truck off...still don't like that. No,they both were not built on a Friday...tis normal for Ford.
 
Have you considered used from the wholesale market? I just purchased a vehicle from said market and could not be more satisfied. I used an agent who provides you credentials to peruse the wholesale market, long story short....find a vehicle you like and the agent does the legwork for you. You could find the exact vehicle you are looking for and save thousands.
What sort of agent? Only place I know of is CoPart and probably 98% of those are wrecks.
 
He is in Chicago. It's a 2WD drive truck. The dealer can't sell it.....It will bite him big time if he ever resales it. I know this from first hand experience...,.and Salt Lake City, Utah doesn't get anywhere the amount of snow Chicago does.
I delivered firewood for years in a 2wd C30 Chev.
I did put a Detroit locker in the 14 bolt and used tire chains often.
My delivery trucks are all 4wd now. Even just the gearing of Low range helps a ton.
 
I'm so frugal...I've been casually looking for months for a gas 3/4 ton truck, crew cab. The end goal is in a year or two to move up into a 5th wheel camper for my family. We camp year-round, very frequently. The additional payload ensures that my family of 5 will be safe and well within the trucks limits when pulling across the country.

I found a NEW on the lot 2023 Ram 3/4 ton, 6.4 gas, long bed, crew cab, 2wd, Tradesman, 10 miles on it. The truck has the towing and infotainment package as well. It has an MSRP of 55k. I'm looking at an invoice for 42k OTD. Fees are minimal, and my only complaint is the $199 wheel locks...

If feel like that's an excellent price. I can afford it however I don't want to spend 42k. So here I am complaining about my 1st world problems...

In the world of 3/4 ton trucks, I don't think I can do better from a cost perspective?

Thoughts?

I'm so frugal...I've been casually looking for months for a gas 3/4 ton truck, crew cab. The end goal is in a year or two to move up into a 5th wheel camper for my family. We camp year-round, very frequently. The additional payload ensures that my family of 5 will be safe and well within the trucks limits when pulling across the
Stay away from that 6.4 liter. It’s problematic, MDS, lifters, etc. better off with ford 6.8 in lower trim and 7.3 in XLT and up do your homework on that hemi.
 
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