Fightnfire
Moderator
That older RAM transfer case was a joke, it also wouldn't work when turning the wheels, the clutch would disengage as you approached full lock on the steering wheel. (Edit as I see you hit on that)
Love/hate on third gen Tundra
- Thread starter testerdahl
- Start date
Sorry, it's not like I engage it in Dec and leave it on until March. I leave it on whenever there is snow on the roads. I think of auto as the old locking hubs. I did the same with them, engage them in winter so I wouldn't have to get out. When disengaged, the front-end parts are not spinning so no drag, no mpg loss. Put in auto and the wheels rotation will spin the axles and diff. Unbelievably, I tested the mpg over two months, and it was insignificant so if they are still engaged after the roads dry, I don't sweat it.
And yep, your new BW transfer case is better than mine. In 4wd "lock", I can make a tight circle on dry pavement with no scuffing of the rear tires. That tells me the front end is getting no power. Plus, I've tested accelerating from a stop with the fronts on ice and they don't spin until the rears spin. I did all this because somebody told me my new truck didn't lock up and I thought I could prove them wrong. Shocked and kinda pissed me off. I'm used to old school 4wd.
Now in my mind, the best out there is the Toyota FT 4wd. Unfortunately, you have to buy a damn Limited Tacoma or 4Runner to get it.
Which brings to mind, how do the other brands approach their "auto" modes?
The clutch in the older Borg Warner disengages only in auto mode. In 4x4 high/low it stays locked.
Fightnfire
Moderator
I was pretty positive I had seen several videos of it regularly disengaging even in 4HI
Fightnfire
Moderator
That's a good question, after watching Getty's video on his I tested my AT4 with auto and couldn't notice any of those issues. I was testing in the snow with my son watching the front and it seems to always stay engaged in Auto and 4Hi Full lock etc. I have heard of all of the 4WD Auto vehicles disengaging if they get to hot but I've never seen it on my personal rig, if it's working that much I'm going to 4Hi or more likely 4Lo.
I'm usually only using Auto on roads with mixed snow/ice cover of when needing to turn onto a highway with busy traffic in the rain. I do one of those turns several days a week heading into the office and I don't have to worry about the 6.2 spinning the rear at all.
I'd have to see them. My brother tested this a while ago on his truck and he said it stays "locked".
In any case, this is why Ram offers you a true 4x4 system as well. If you don't need auto, then the other BorgWarner locks you physically into high/low with no clutches, no heat, and no unlocking.
Different manufacturers do things differently here, I'll take even the older BorgWarner auto over GM's system which doesn't offer 4 low in many of the 2019+ "4x4" trucks
I swear I get a message every year from someone who is shocked to discover their 4x4 Chevy doesn't have 4 LO.
Fightnfire
Moderator
All the Z71 and X31 trucks has 4LO, all trail boss and at4 and all GM's with the 6.2 have it. The 5.3 with max tow I beleive is the only one that you can't get 4LO with.
It is mostly if you have an off-road truck, you get a two-speed transfer case. If you go with a max tow package, you get a single speed transfer case. GM tells me it is due to different customers and their needs.
I asked what about the guy pulling his snowmobiles into the mountains on snowy roads. What if that guy gets stuck a little and needs 4 LO? Crickets was the response.
None of the volume/base trims have it, certainly not any truck with the 2.7.
Fightnfire
Moderator
You can get it with the 2.7 by getting the x31 package on GMC, $1,000 package. SL, Elevation or SLT. For Chevy you can get it on every trim except WT and Custom.
So, that includes all of the Volume trims including the 2.7.
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I don't believe that is correct. When you add the X31 you need to change engine to the 5.3 or diesel etc. It's been about 2 years since I last played with the build and price pages, but I'm quite certain that not a single 2.7 comes with 4 low. And many of the cheaper 5.3's don't either unless you add the x31 or z71 packages.
Fightnfire
Moderator
You could be right, I chose the 2.7 and added x31 it could have swapped the engine on me.
Technically, yes, the clutch stays engaged but the driveshafts are still separated by the ball/ramp mechanism. In 4wd lock, it's ready but not fully locked until there is TQ differentiation. Granted, that can be a small spin of the rear tires, but the separation is there. It is much worse in reverse. That's where people find the problem the most, on boat ramps. Traditional 4wd systems are mechanically locked to each other as soon as you engage the lever and the dogs aligned.
carhaulereastcoast
Active member
i have a 2015 XP SR5 and love it so much i dont want to let it go. i drove the 2024 platiinum 4x4 and i was so sad. the truck had the Iforcemax and was very fast. i found it took a second to kick in and go and i didnt like that. the thing i hated the most was the ride. it didnt feel any different than my 2015. so why would i pay 70K plus for the same ride? i think that is the reason i have knocked it off my top list of trucks. thats sad cause i love my 2015. so now its the Ram limited or the GMC AR4
Well if you value ride, interior comfort and luxury, the Ram is currently at the top IMHO. If you want a new v8 though you'll probably have to go GMC unless you act fast.
If price matters, you can score a Ram reeeeaaal cheap right now. If it doesn't, sit back and wait to hear what Tim says about the new version. Sounds good, wait for them to arrive and go that way. Gotta be cautious of first year jitters but at least that motor has been out for some time. The GMC is pretty solid choice and damn fine looking. Definitely not stepping down going in that direction either.
carhaulereastcoast
Active member
ya price is not the problem its the repair cost. i think i watch too much youtube on these trucks. i have a feeling that when the 25 does drop the 24 prices are going to drop even more thats a good thing im still 2 months out before talking $$$$ thanks for the feedback
Ricardo Robles
New member
Owner of a 2023 Toyota Tundra TRD off road
Love the exterior look.
Love the rust proofing Toyota did. I.E. composite bed, plastic bumpers etc…
Love the interior looks and design. I.E, red trd theme in Canada for trd off road models.
Hate that they didn’t put tow hooks on the front… biggest fail on the truck.
Hate the approach angle… improve the approach angle.
Hate the turning radius…. Improve the turn radius.
Outside of that, I love the third gen overall but Toyota needs to make these changes to bring it back to the top in the eyes of us owners..
