Can a Basic Ram 1500 4WD Work Truck Survive the TFL Slip Test and the Tumbleweed Off-Road Course?
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
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#ram #sliptest #tumbleweed
With no lsd I’m quite impressed, that performed better than I would have bet my money on… wow
Traction control function is equivalent to left foot braking. Really, an all open diff 4x4 relying on traction control, as is here, is functioning more like an AWD than 4x4 with LSD or lockers. Still, cannot argue with the results, it works.
This uses brake limited slip, which is independent per wheel; left foot cannot do that, which is why these things keep impressing those that only expect left foot brake levels of performance.
Drawback is that it causes brake wear and requires you to stop periodically to cool them and prevent brake fade, which makes maintaining momentum tough on long stretches.
@@Cloud30000 great point, traction control is better than left foot braking in that sense, but with its own set of drawbacks. Thanks for the additional context!
So you're saying he would have performed better on LSD. I agree : )
that's also a quite lighter vehicle than an heavy duty diesel with crew cab and long bed...
This is the stubby Ram that is punching above its station in life. This truck is just working so good. Everywhere. Whoever gets this truck after you guys are done with it are getting a truly great little truck.
Dodge needs an SUV built on this platform. I know Stellantis has jeep and they make tons of money but the Grand Cherokee is all independent suspension now and is more about hauling your family in luxury than anything. And the Wrangler can be pretty punishing with it's ride. But a 4 door truck based SUV with a solid rear axle would be a nice sweet spot. Even the Durango is independent suspension all around and unibody.
Idk bro it's an "affordable" Fiat product. You're really giving it a lot of credit
@Backwoods Therapy I would like to see a full size van aswell built on this platform with the same 4wd system
@@TheAnnoyingBoss actually, this is not a Fiat, based on a European platform, but a heritage Chrysler/Dodge platform dating all the way back to 1972. And it has evolved into the current next generation Ram platform for the 1500,2500 and 3500 sold now. The short wheelbase regular cab short box has gone away because nobody is buying them anymore. The closest thing to a van this platform saw was the Dodge/Plymouth Ramcharger/Trailduster SUV’s from the 1970’s and 1980’s. And the 3.6 pentastar engine is an American design, not Asian or European. The Dodge/Plymouth vans were based on the ‘B’ monocoque (unitized) platform that ended in 2003 and was replaced with the Mercedes Sprinter van under Daimler ownership, then that was replaced with the Fiat Ducato van under Fiat ownership, which continues with Stellantice ownership today.
lol or an incredibly abused truck...
I wouldn't want it after all the crap they're doing to it.
80mph non-variable break in for how many miles? 400 or something?
Low air pressure test for I don't remember...how many miles. 50? 100?
Overloaded tow for 1000 miles or so? with them running at a consistent 4-5 grand on the RPM's (cause they must pass cars on the way up there and back) and then them flooring it for 10 or so miles... on that 7% grade and not manually downshifting to keep the trans from bouncing gears... (which it was doing.)
And now this test?
Nah... the next guy who buys this truck is gonna have all sorts of problems with it.
The base model single cab still has a trick up its sleeve, well done 👍
This is why it’s nice to review base models. I feel so many see reviews and videos and think they need lockers or trick limited slip/offroad mode type systems, when a basic 4wd with open diffs and a decent traction control will suffice for most.
Traction control systems on trucks seem to have significantly improved in recent years. That looked better than many AWD cars and SUV's and wasn't far off of the Toyota and Land Rover systems in terms of effectiveness. Good advice about not mashing the throttle. Minimal and steady gas pedal inputs work best with traction control.
They should treat Andre to this lesson. lol
@@thedirtlifesupreame yeah keep him out of the sxs? Lol
Screw all that noise. I'll mash the pedal on my 97 yukon with no working TC or ABS and pray to the lord I don't fishtail into a house.
Yeah, I wonder if its going to get to the point where rear lockers are totally unnecessary. Seems like you can have a dirt mode where it is very aggressive in shutting down wheel spin.
4wd low significantly alters throttle response on these trucks as well.
Ok, this has by far been my favorite series of recent videos by TFL.
I’m very surprised on the 4wd systems ability to function at that level. With all the tech these days, having 3 wheels slipping seems to still post a problem for a lot of vehicles in the market. Truly impressed. 5 stars, 2 thumbs up.
5 stars for the penta-star
Too often it seems a vehicle can’t overcome an obstacle because of tires. While no ONE test is indication of its off-road capability, one GREAT thing about the slip test is it takes tires out of the equation. Keep up these tests!
I'd say that's not really accurate. The rollers are small enough that different tread could affect how well they roll. I was actually thinking while watching, it almost seems like there's friction in the rollers allowing slow movements to not start them spinning. The treads get wedged between them. These rollers don't equal ice or snow they equal rollers, which doesn't invalidate the test but I feel should be considered
@@c4pt1n54no I have to agree w the rollers, they might invalidate the testing but it’s a decent starting point to compare, but the basic ram did quite well in the off road course w the stock tires
I really liked how these tests demonstrated the trucks capabilities, I would love to see this become a standard test for all 4wds that y'all review.
Did they do this on the cheapest bronco with no lockers?
I have a 2017 Chevrolet Silverado single cab short bed 4x4 with the manual transfer case on the floor, as God intended and the G80 “locking” rear-end and in combination with the traction control, I have been extremely impressed and pleased with the system! It’s very similar to the system seen here and it’s everything I need and nothing I don’t! I love this series on the barebones truck and look forward to seeing what y’all have in store for the future!
I've got a 1993 Chevrolet Cheyenne, manual transfer case in the floor. I love it. Only issue with mine was that it was the out-dated style with a thermal switch for the front axle. Years back, I replaced it with the new and improved stepper motor style, and has never failed me since. I don't have lockers, but my truck is a pavement queen. Only need 4WD when I go uphill on snow with 12,000 lbs behind me.
Very solid. I’ve always been impressed with Ram/Jeep 4x4 systems.
I have the crew cab 5.7L version of this truck, same otherwise except I added BFG K02s, and I’m actually impressed in how the traction control system does. I go to some fairly rough places to get to a fishing or camping spot and I haven’t gotten close to stuck yet.
Please do this with a Ram that has 4WD Auto. Love these tests.
Now that’s a truck. Simple, basic and gets the job done.
I used to have a 2004 stubby ram. Loved it! It was Laramie trim with the Hemi and 2wd... but this video series is making me want one again!
i am actually quite impressed by this.
Calssic 4x4 with a non intrusive Traction Control system.
Pretty good.
Limited slip or similar rear differential is really important to me, for what I ask of a truck it makes the difference of being stuck or not, even with 4wd. My ram with the “anti spin” rear diff has kept me from being stuck in the middle of nowhere with no cell reception. Been my favorite truck I’ve had to far, 2017 ram hemi. It’s been many places I hunt, even wintertime, has not let me down. Proper tires matter too, Duratracs being my favorite.
You guys keep up with the awesome videos, y’all are great, great content.
Thanks for doing a truck for us commoners! I'm impressed!
I do like the Classic style and glad Ram still has it in production.
The regular cab short bed classic is no longer available for 2023
I think Jeep / Ram learned its lesson with the Cherokee from back around 2000 (+/-) Recall that they had the Jeep Cherokee, then then came out with the Jeep Grand Cherokee, but for whatever reason they kept the older version around. The older version sold fairly well to people who couldn't afford the new model. All the tool and development costs were paid for, so the car was pure profit except for the marginal costs of production. With this "legacy" Ram truck, there's a lot of profit to be had with it, plus you can carve out any niche for it that you'd want if you were Ram. They've "niched" it into a work truck, which means "standard cab, "no exotic current production whiz-bangs' to run up the price, and all the stampings, etc are already paid for. Its really a "win-win" situation for them and makes the truck accessible for somebody who can't afford a current-version crew cab.
So glad to see Tommy using these rollers and giving us the content we want!
Great Video Tommy 👏👏 I'll be waiting for this truck to be up for sale on TFL Bids .
Many don''t seem to know, but the transfer case in your basic Ram is the better one. The one with the Auto 4X4 has no real 4X4 lock as yours and mine do. I don't remember the number indications for the two, but the one with 4X4 Auto does not actually ever lock into true 4X4. It allows the wheels to slip in every mode before attempting to transfer power. Your stubby truck is great for what it is, and that seems to be a basic capable truck. I am impressed. BTW, the Ram community as a rule likes the OE Bridgestones far better than the OE Goodyears on yours. Mine had the Bridgestones, and they were excellent (I never did any "Real" offroading). I added Continental Terrain Contact's when the OE tires wore out. Keep it up. Great content. Great real world tests going on over there. And I love the scenery up in the mountains.
Good Morning TFL Family and Fans ... Have a beautiful day Everyone ✌️
I had to keep reminding myself that this is an open diff truck. Damn impressive! Imagine what it could do with a set of Goodyear Duratechs on it.
Bfg ko2*
I have the KO2’s and my Ram will handle tough terrain and deep snow with ease.
My BF Goodwrench A/T ko2 are pretty amazing.
Traction control is an amazing thing in 4wds.
I rented one when my sequoia was in the shop last year during a Denver snow storm and I was very impressed with the results. It didn’t do quite as well as my sequoia but it was a base model compared to a limited. That has all the goodies. I was very impressed
Dude you are so good at this….really enjoy your reviews.
thanks!!
The basic Ram 4×4 system is so under rated.
Just got a set of 35" KO2s on my 18' Ram 4x4, it is impressive!
Good job buddy I got the same
I have this same Ram, a 2014 5.7 crew cab with the same Goodyear tires. I have to admit I didn’t think my truck would perform the test that I just witnessed.
And it looked like their test truck was the six cylinder. Still very impressive.
Please make sure you lubricate the bearings on the roller. Some times the fiction is too high so the vehicle still can move forward on the roller.
Finally reviewing trucks that the majority of people will get. Great video series. 👍🏻
Thank you for this informative video! I bought a RAM Longhorn Limited 4×4 with the same set up. Now I know what my truck can do. KEEP ON ROCKING!
I think your testing proves something. For 90% of 4x4 pick up drivers in the US standard HI/LO four wheel drive is totally adequate, no need for all the fancy modes.
Super glad they still review actual affordable trucks for most people unlike the $80-90k trucks
Chrysler brake lock differential system works very well. Controlled by the ABS system, same reason why a wrangler in low range doesn’t even need the lockers most of the time. The BLD activated in low range will handle a lot
I have the 2005 version of that truck. came with a limited slip diff, but it's worn out now. When it was new, in 4wd, it was treacherous to drive in snow because the rear would do nothing but wander back and forth. It's less capable now, but actually more stable to drive in that situation.
Lil Stubby is a nice pickup.
My last two trucks had rear electronic locking differential. I don't drive off road but we have occasional small amounts of snow. I engaged the locker once in the snow. It felt like the truck was trying to kill me. It moved forward with some pretty good authority but it tended to make the front end just plow when I tried to steer. I do not need lockers for my use case scenario and I have found the open diffs to be just fine. My current truck has a limited slip rear end (anti-spin RAM calls it) but this is my first winter with it. I am confident that it will do just fine.
That Borg Warner 4wd system is amazing and the performance of the truck was way better than I expected it to be for a V6 engine.
I had a 2016 and I loved it. Just traded it for a quad cab but I admit I made a mistake. I miss that beast.
I’m super impressed with the rams traction control programming. It actually out performed the bronco on what I’m assuming was the same day with a much more “street” tire. Allowing the wheels to keep spinning and successfully sending enough torque to the required wheel to maintain momentum. But it definitely shows the benefits of a locker having the extra control to get up the hill and control your line better.
What a wake up, the Professor and Stubby, going be a good day!!! Tommy always does a great job and yep he’s a Gear Head x 2, what shall we learn about Stubby, going be good!
Always appreciate Tommy’s real world yet somewhat scientific approach and he explains what hes doing very well
Very impressive performance for an entry level 4-wheel drive full-sized pickup truck. Good narration by Tommy!
Awesome Tommy! Now I wish I had a "Stubby" of my own.
Yes, the rollers are back!! Love the roller tests!
Very good and unexpected performance for this little truck, love it.
Tommy, this shows exactly what it should. For what most people put full size trucks through, a good set of tires, maybe a LSD instead of an opinion diff, and some skill, will be more than adequate for even up to moderate trails. Not to mention, for a budget off-roader or an overlander this would be a great option.
I've had a stubby ram like this for 8 years, bought it new and modified it for off road travel. I don't own it to get people's opinions but when people have supplied them 90% have been negative or telling me what they think I did wrong. Interesting seeing how differently people respond to TFL
Wow! Super impressed it made it up through the ruts to the top!
I love and have been impressed with my Laramie Bighorn and with a new set of Falken Wildpeaks it hasn't let me down, hoping for a good snow to test the new shoes.
I have a 4th gen Ram so I thank you kind Sir’s for this video. ❤
Understanding how the differential works may help understand this whole setup.
You have your input speed that is split 50/50 when going straight. When you start to turn whatever percentage decrease you get on one side is the percentage increase on the other. It will always add 100%.
If you're going straight in one wheel starts losing traction, then that wheel will spin faster than the one that still has traction.
The roller wheels have100% of the input. So if you slow that spinning wheel down, that power is automatically transferred to the stuck wheel by using the brakes. Traction control applies it to just the correct wheels so there's no additional energy lost trying to prevent a stuck wheel from moving.
6 min in and waiting for torture to be applied on to this. 😂
Ya know,,,, when I was Ranching, I was rarely in 4 wd low. I used 4x4 high, even with a load on. It had to be pretty bad to be in low. When I was playing, I used 4x4 low much more often. Part of that came from decades of open diffs or limited slip unless I had GM which I would only buy with the G80. Electronic actuated lockers didn’t exist back then. You could add air lockers, but that was still used more for play than work. Once the electronic lockers started to be offered, all my work trucks had it in them. Saved a lot of time and worry. Our work was over 90% off-road with some driving on roads we built ourselves and in the feedlot alleys. We lived in the Rocky Mountain foothills in central/southern Alberta, so much of this channel’s off road use is very similar to what I lived with. David’s place is a lot like what we had for land. We had 8800 acres so we also had fields and pastureland that definitely had much more mud than I see on this channel except in the bottom of the TFL ranch.
Open diffs need momentum as your friend. Not crazy momentum, but Tommy here has figured out smooth application of the throttle and how to generally manage the wheel spin properly. He has grown in skills driving off-road unlike any other on this channel. He didn’t back out here even when it got a little dicey. Others would have got out of the throttle or nailed it way too hard.
Sorry Tommy,,,, I can’t hack on ya all the time!! 😂😂 Every once in a while I have to say how much you have grown in your driving skills and how your knowledge is growing at a similar rate! Don’t let it go to your head though!!!! 😂😂.
Nice explanation and demonstration! Very nice really. Ughhhh, now will you mess up (in my eyes of course) so I can get back to bugging you again?? Heh heh.
Thanks team TFL, hope everyone is doing well, Eh!
Finally!!!! Basic 4wd truck test
Very impressive! When I was a kid I had a square body Chevy on 35s and open diffs. It never would have made it off the rollers, it would have just sat there and spun all day.
Very impressive little truck..
Hey @TFL! I think yall forgot to edit in the cut to show the cars that struggled @ 7:14 , love the videos as always especially this series but thought yall should know incase you missed it!!
I have a 2017 Bighorn Ecodiesel and a Subaru Outback. When the snow gets bad, I'll take the Ram every time. Ram also gets better mpg.
I’ve never had to put my Ram into 4wd living in Texas but this is good to know.
Who knew a base model Dodge work truck came with Crab Mode, just like the Bronco?! LOL!
Could you try this on a RAM 1500 with the auto transfer case? My (and others) experiences with it are...less than stellar. Would be interesting to see it fail these same tests.
I’ve noticed TFL they shoot straight for 4WL. You should always start 4WH and attempt to get out and only use 4WL as a last resort. Hell I’ll even try to manage not using 4WD at all if it can be helped. With that said, Tommy has done something really cool here with these slip tests and has become top tier review status.
Stubby is putting all the FX4s, AT4s and TRDs to shame for 30k less.
Ram has definitely benefited from Jeep's research in off-road tech.
All in ALL, it always comes down the having the right tires for the conditions, and even then there can be challenges depending on the terrains grade. This is where plan 'B' comes into effect, having a winch, and if that doesn't work?. Which brings me to plan 'C', having good hiking boots/gear/food and water. Cheers. 👍.
Not sure if it matters much with results, but it looks like one of those rollers is out of true or slightly bent
Dodge has alway had a really solid 4wd system. My 1999 Ram single cab 4wd (non off road model) was a beast in the mud. I could go anywhere my friends Z71s and FX4s could go. Pulled several of them out of the mud as well!
Hi Tommy; Just watched your test of the bronco on the rollers, it did better. But using lockers. I think STUBBY acquitted it self very good
I have an almost identical Ram and it is good to see what it can do.
I had Goodyear sr-a tires on my old Silverado, they are surprisingly good in snow considering they are trash in rain.
Thank god the regular cab Ram is still here.
Having those tires on my truck, I can say they do surprisingly well in most situations.
Holy cow. I was not expect that. I’m impressed!
I have always been impressed with my old 2013 ram and the traction control. I drive on frozen lakes all winter long up here in Alaska and I have to turn the system off if I want to have fun. Otherwise, the traction control keeps you going.
Here's you're friendly reminder that demcorat left wing ideologies have killed orders of magnitude more people inside USA than al Qaeda ever did by flying planes into skyscrapers
Really impressed with the little truck, nice to know cheap trucks can still hang with the big boys. I'd like to see tests with cheaper models from other brands to see if they perform as well.
Thanks for buying the same truck I just bought. Now I don't have to find out on my own what the truck can do. I read that the stock tires aren't very good.
Congratulations you have convinced me to buy this truck 🎉🙌😎
with some sort of a long travel front suspension setup (minimal lift) lockers and better tires, that would be a proper off road rig. The biggest issue with that generation (and likely subsequent generation) Rams is that the front ring gear is actually welded to the differential, so swapping ring and pinions for a more trail friendly ratio is really expensive, and you're still limited to the factory available ratios (I think a 3.90 is available). The jeep wrangler rubicon transfer case should bolt in though.
If it's not already obvious, I was kicking around the idea of doing an overland/ trail rig build using the 13-17 ram v6 crew cab as a base, because for a while they could be bought pretty cheap, and in my opinion the Pentastar is more than up to the task. The factory rear suspension isn't bad, and the base v-6 shares most of the driveline parts with the v8, so what might be marginal for the v8 (large tires, low gears with stock axle shafts) would probably work just fine with less "oomph" on the input side.
The 4:1 transfer case is most desirable for offroad. Downhill control is way better! I have 3.92 gears on my '16 Ram 1500 Quadcab 4wd 3.0L Ecodiesel. My pickup has a 2" lift front and rear. Plus Readylift upper control arms. And Mevotech stage 3 lower control arms. Bilstein 5100 shocks have proven to be better than Rancho or expensive Fox shocks. I recommend the AEV kit if you want a 4" lift. You have to go to 20" wheels though.
My wife used to have a '14 Ram 1500 Crewcab 4wd 3.6L with the 3.21 ratio. And the experience with that truck compared to my truck. I would recommend 4.56 gears, AEV 4" lift, 35" tires on the 20" rims.
My wife upgraded to a 2018 Ram 2500 Crewcab 4wd 6.7L Cummins. Unfortunately the gears are 3.42. We plan on a 4.10 ratio, AEV 4" lift, and 37's on 17 or 18"" rims. The solid front axle allows the smaller rims. We have a 4wheel popup camper on her truck. A 3.6L engined 1500 can carry the camper. But the Bilstein 5100 shocks and the Air Lift 5000 kit are recommended for good stability.
I drive a 22’ ram classic 1500 with the same v6 for work. I get to take it home. It’s almost identical except for the 8 foot bed. And the one I drive doesn’t have 4high it has 4low and 4lock. Great truck so far tho.
those rams are great trucks. yeah a lot of guys dont like the rear coil springs but if you want a hauler get a heavy ram with leaves and air bags. .
the coils cant take much weight but the ride is great!
i like the ram.
also known as a "dodge"
to most people!
TFL terms like fantastic condition and the cheapest most affordable truck make me raise an eyebrow and give off a little chuckle.
Absolutely love this video. So in conclusion we should keep the traction control ON opposite of every “expert” opinion online?
Would love to see that rig with maybe a KO2 and see how it performs
KO2's are awesome
They really should have put a solid 33" m/t on it or aggressive a/t
Budget minded.... Get some Treadwright Warden tires. Basically, a retread that is the same as the BFG.
@@fifthcircle1 - nothing like betting your life with Chinisium shoes
Great video , nice differential performance 👏
Great video!!
Always good info from your channel.
Thank you!!
Honestly really impressive
This is the truck 🙌. I love my crew cab classic V6 4x4. A regular cab would be my preference, but I got kids lol
no rear limited slip, add that could be a good off roader slight lift topper
Was that crab walk mode lol
Really enjoy this series of shows. An old school truck!
Regular cab, short bed trucks look great! Too bad there are so few. Best are the step-sides!
Totally loving this truck! Such perfect proportions on a regular cab. I would love to see a small build on this, maybe a 2-in lift and 33s. Even if you left the suspension alone, and just added some good all-terrain or mud tires, it would make worlds difference.
those are 33's
@@atodaso1668 are they really? They look so small. Okay, at least 33 inch all terrains, and maybe 35s would fit with a 2-in lift then.
They are 31s not 33s
@@johncooper5491 no way are they 31's, unless they made the tires smaller for the newest versions of this truck.
Gotta keep the momentum going always. These trucks are great
Ram done really good for a completely basic truck
Take the truck to Walmart and have the Auto Care Techs install a set of Goodyear Wrangler ATS tires on it. That tire is only available in a P265/70R17, which I saw is the size the truck has. They have a more aggressive grip but are fairly inexpensive. Good value and a cheap upgrade.
Excellent controlled text! Stubby has done it again! What a truck for the price. ✌️out.
The BW 44-44 is a mechanical transfer case compare to the BW 44-45 that uses clutches (4WD auto) that are found in higher trims. In 4LOW the traction control is disabled, compared to 4HI that you have to press the switch for 10 seconds to be fully deseable
are you sure you have that right? I think the BW44-45 is a fully mechanical transfer case.
i'm not even surprised, this is the expected result