I think its important to switch it in and out of 4WD and low range now and again as routine maintenance. My Dakota electric shift failed to lock or do 4WD low after four or five years, I think because I never switched it (it had an AWD transfer case which I never needed to lock). The problem was discovered when I was trading it in for the M/C. My 7 year old jeep with same transfer case and a manual shifter has not failed, but it can be difficult to convince to change gears after not being abused... err.. used for a few months.

 

Yeah I too was leary of the electronic transfer case shift. I had a 95 Ferd Exploder with electonic shifter that would not come out of 4x4 low. Big problem when coming back from BF Eygpt.

I tried real hard to get the manual shifter when I bought my 2006 Mega 6 speed. When I realized I couldn't get it I took the risk and got the Mega instead of the crew cab.

Now having owned the Mega over a year and using the shifter numerous times without a problem everything is good.

Another REAL good thing is the Dodge has a neutral with the electronic shift unlike almost all the other brands. If I want to tow my truck it is a huge advantage.

 

I've said this repeatedly at high speed, and I'll say it again:

The fact that your, or your uncle's daddy's neighbor's 1982 chevy or 1995 ford had problems with an electric shift transfer case has NO BEARING WHATSOEVER on this. Give it up, the sooner the better. These electric shift cases seem to cause FAR less problems than the manual ones. The linkages occasionally get in a bind on the mechanical ones, perhaps due to extreme stress distorting the truck frame in some cases. I'm not going to argue the theory and why's/wherefor's about how the electric case just HAS to be less reliable because there are wires involved, electricity is voodoo and your village doesn't believe in it, etc. It is what it is, regardless of what theory someone might advance "proving" the manual case to be more reliable. Not in these trucks.

 

When you got 'truck' there just somethin' about reaching down, and pulling that Transfercase lever into 4LO and FEELING THE GEARS!

Electronic 4WD ***** belong in subaru's!!

Just my $.02!

John

 

LMAO!!!!

I AGREE 100%. Mine has been DEAD reliable, and shifts in and out of 4x4, much more reliably and quickly than ANY of the previous manual cases I have uses (94 Wrangler, 96 Ram, 97 Ram, 2001 Ford 350).

 

Any Subaru I ever drove was in 4wd full time as they were all AWD setups.

Including the SVX............ That thing would seriously fly when you got it wound up.!!!

 

That's what the dealer told me when I asked about it too.

No manual shifter, or leg room for the center seat passenger in front in a MegaCab because of the heater/AC routing to the rear.

So effectively, a MC can hold FEWER adults/teens than my QuadCab.

 

I had the electric shift in my 2003 ram and the manual shifter on my 2004.5. I never had any problems with the electric 4x4 shifting and have not had any on my 04.5 manual shifter. I prefer the manual shifter, just old school and like the feel of something real, but it would not stop me from buying a vehicle if it was the only option.

 

Lost Texan,I can feel your pain about Dodge putting to much dressing onto a work truck.But come as it may they are awesome trucks.Throw in some Husky floor liners,a good pair of seat covers and supply your workers with coveralls(which if they want to ride in that truck they better take`em off or the truck is off limits).As long as Dodge hasn`t changed the electronic 4x4 I don`t think you should be worried.I had a 96 truck that had manual 4x4 shifter and it had been in the shop numerous times because it wouldn`t work.It would not shift on the fly like it was suppose to no matter what I did.My 03 has electronic shift w/63,000 mile ,it`s seen both mud and snow ,deep rutted roads and gravel and it hasn`t given me any problems with the electric shift.I had always felt that feeling the transfer case slip into gear was always a mandatory thing,but you know I`m sure getting the hang of turning that dial .

 

My 2006 2500 has the electronic shift. I have used it several times in mud, steep boat ramps, and soggy grass fields with a boat behind it. It hasnt given me any problems. It is actually pretty loud when you switch it into 4x4, you can hear the gears moving, even with the truck running. Im not going to lie, I specifically looked for trucks with the electronic shifter.

 

I must not be paying attention. I don't recall ever hearing mine engage/disengage 4wd.

 

Try it out, you will hear it nice and clear. To me it sounds like some air/pressure being released and then the gears locking in place. I first noticed it in the Whataburger drive thru, with the truck running, and you know how loud these trucks get in drive thrus. It actually sounds pretty bada$$, my girlfriend likes it.

 

i cant hear mine engage. I had the manual shift in my 04 1500 and now i have the electric in my 04.5 2500 and i love it. ive never read of a problem with it.

Your truck is computer controlled, even your wastegate (pretty important) is computer controlled and you dont trust a computer to put your truck in 4 wheel drive?

 

It is??????

 

I work at New Prossess Gear, and we make the dodge , GM , and Ford heavyduty t- case. There is'nt mutch diff. between the three. All the elect. motors come from the same vendor. The heaviest main shaft is the Ford, about 26 lbs.