2014+ Driveline Disconnects?

Will · Post by **Will** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 1:47 pm

I may have missed it if yall talked about it but this is the first I've read or heard of the newer PW's disconnecting the front driveline...what did they add to accomplish that? More freaking electronic controls...

"For the first time, Ram also threw in driveline disconnects, which detach the front axle driveline at highway speeds to reduce drag and improve fuel economy."

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/fi ... wer-wagon/

waldo · Post by **waldo** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:10 pm

Will wrote:I may have missed it if yall talked about it but this is the first I've read or heard of the newer PW's disconnecting the front driveline...what did they add to accomplish that? More freaking electronic controls...

"For the first time, Ram also threw in driveline disconnects, which detach the front axle driveline at highway speeds to reduce drag and improve fuel economy."

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/fi ... wer-wagon/

Read my 2016 thread.

They put the CAD back in the new trucks. The big selling point for a lot of us was that the PW had a manual 4x4 (minus the lockers). As far as I'm concerned they should just make it a push button truck like all the rest and free up some floor space. It's no longer a manual 4x4 truck.

This is my third PW (own two right now), so this really ticks me off as a customer.

nts007 · Post by **nts007** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:19 pm

I agree with you. That's why when I had the chance to install a manual t case I took it. I hate the electric. Had to wait once for 40 seconds for 4 low and 20ish for 4hi before. When you're moving in a ditch you need 4wd now. Not when it's convenient

Will · Post by **Will** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:26 pm

I've followed your thread, just never did notice the actual driveline disconnect unless that's understood with the CAD. I'm keeping my 2010, I've bypassed a few things but there's still stupid things to me. I want to turn the abs off when offroad, that's a danger if they're trying to control everything. You can't stop with that shit on anything slick or with gravel, you need the tires to lock up sometimes. It does suck bad to have a truck so capable yet so limited. I felt like I got a new truck when I installed the locker bypass and can turn on my lockers whenever the hell I feel like it.

waldo · Post by **waldo** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:31 pm

Well, that's what they're referring to.

Will · Post by **Will** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 2:58 pm

Well imma dumbass, never had to deal with the cad, now I know it stands for center axle disconnect

leo72987 · Post by **leo72987** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:27 pm

Yep good ole cad first came out in 85 to save gas mileage and "improve convenience".. Had it on my 85 Ramcharger ran off intake vacuum... Worked good for awhile... Then one day it stopped working resulting in this... Had to get out of my truck... Crawl underneath pop that stupid Cad module off force the shift fork over to engage using e clips just so I could get to my buddies Cabin...

My permnant fix I capped off the vacuum lines for the cad unit at the vacuum tree installed lockout hubs and but a posi lok unit to keep the two axle shafts always enganged

the good ole days... Dodge decided to get rid of this system in what? 2002 for 1500's and 2003 for 2500's? They kept CAD for A LONG TIME... I find it very funny they brought it back HA...

Will · Post by **Will** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 3:31 pm

That explains why I didn't see it, I had a few Fords prior to 2003

loveracing1988 · Post by **loveracing1988** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 4:22 pm

leo72987 wrote:Yep good ole cad first came out in 85 to save gas mileage and "improve convenience".. Had it on my 85 Ramcharger ran off intake vacuum... Worked good for awhile... Then one day it stopped working resulting in this... Had to get out of my truck... Crawl underneath pop that stupid Cad module off force the shift fork over to engage using e clips just so I could get to my buddies Cabin... My permnant fix I capped off the vacuum lines for the cad unit at the vacuum tree installed lockout hubs and but a posi lok unit to keep the two axle shafts always enganged the good ole days... Dodge decided to get rid of this system in what? 2002 for 1500's and 2003 for 2500's? They kept CAD for A LONG TIME... I find it very funny they brought it back HA...

The 1500's have always had it, they just switched from the unreliable vacuum disconnect to a electronic version. They got rid of it when they switched from Dana to AAM for axles and back when they switched no one really cared about fuel mileage especially in the HD's. As quick as it engages I still find it hilarious that people find a problem with it. Every other manufacturer uses some sort of disconnect, it could be worse and you get the crap that ford uses where after 2 years they are seized and cost $1k per side to fix.

RustyPW · Post by **RustyPW** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 8:14 pm

My '99 Ram 4x4 had CAD. Had nothing but issues with it. Replaced the 2 piece axle with one piece axle. GM had a really big problem with their CAD system for awhile. The system had a heater that warm up a silicone fluid that pushed a piston, moving an engagement fork and a sleeve. The heater would fail a lot, or the plug to the heater would fail.

azracer · Post by **azracer** » Fri Jan 15, 2016 10:24 pm

The CAD was and is a poor design. I'm glad i bought mine before all this crap started to become the norm.

loveracing1988 · Post by **loveracing1988** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 8:29 am

RustyPW wrote:My '99 Ram 4x4 had CAD. Had nothing but issues with it. Replaced the 2 piece axle with one piece axle. GM had a really big problem with their CAD system for awhile. The system had a heater that warm up a silicone fluid that pushed a piston, moving an engagement fork and a sleeve. The heater would fail a lot, or the plug to the heater would fail.

Exactly. Everyone is stuck in the past thinking they brought the old gm or Dana system back that took 5 minutes to engage if it ever did. The new system is literally instant. If you truck isn't running you can sit in the truck with the door open and shift into 4wd and hear it work as soon as the lever is moved.

RustyPW · Post by **RustyPW** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 8:40 am

loveracing1988 wrote:
RustyPW wrote:My '99 Ram 4x4 had CAD. Had nothing but issues with it. Replaced the 2 piece axle with one piece axle. GM had a really big problem with their CAD system for awhile. The system had a heater that warm up a silicone fluid that pushed a piston, moving an engagement fork and a sleeve. The heater would fail a lot, or the plug to the heater would fail.
Exactly. Everyone is stuck in the past thinking they brought the old gm or Dana system back that took 5 minutes to engage if it ever did. The new system is literally instant. If you truck isn't running you can sit in the truck with the door open and shift into 4wd and hear it work as soon as the lever is moved.

I like my set-up now. RCV axles with Dynatrac freespin hubs.

Lock the hubs in and go. There is no guess work.

SheepdogOutdoorsman · Post by **SheepdogOutdoorsman** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 9:53 am

No offense, but the CAD makes me glad I bought the 2013.5 when I did ... I like simple ...

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Snowsled · Post by **Snowsled** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 10:39 am

loveracing1988 wrote:
RustyPW wrote:My '99 Ram 4x4 had CAD. Had nothing but issues with it. Replaced the 2 piece axle with one piece axle. GM had a really big problem with their CAD system for awhile. The system had a heater that warm up a silicone fluid that pushed a piston, moving an engagement fork and a sleeve. The heater would fail a lot, or the plug to the heater would fail.
Exactly. Everyone is stuck in the past thinking they brought the old gm or Dana system back that took 5 minutes to engage if it ever did. The new system is literally instant. If you truck isn't running you can sit in the truck with the door open and shift into 4wd and hear it work as soon as the lever is moved.

So why when I need it, shift the lever and hit the gas do the rear tires still spin? Almost instant? It is slower than I am and I am getting old. Maybe it is almost instant today but how well will it work 5 years from now? It is only going to take one incident of being stuck in a hard plowed bank, one over the rock buried in the mud, one backed up and got hung on that log to tear the connector off the back side of the axle leaving you screwed. If you really use the truck a lot off road, it is a pretty major liability in my opinion. The first mod the truck needs is to disable that garbage and fit a regular axle shaft.

Was the CAD system beefed up along with our axle shafts for the lockers? Is it really as simple and durable as you claim? I don't think we know that for sure yet but mine will have chains fitted a lot this winter pulling my trailer up the mountain so we shall see.

My truck really is off the highway a lot, just about every single day. All of the road safety and fuel economy features become issues when you want to use it as advertised, or per its reputation. My next truck will run and drive with the battery disconnected, mechanical diesel engine, manual trans. Progress just isn't working for me. I understand where it might be right for you but try to see why it isn't for others.

Snowsled · Post by **Snowsled** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 10:42 am

waldo wrote:
Will wrote:I may have missed it if yall talked about it but this is the first I've read or heard of the newer PW's disconnecting the front driveline...what did they add to accomplish that? More freaking electronic controls...

"For the first time, Ram also threw in driveline disconnects, which detach the front axle driveline at highway speeds to reduce drag and improve fuel economy."

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/fi ... wer-wagon/
Read my 2016 thread.

They put the CAD back in the new trucks. The big selling point for a lot of us was that the PW had a manual 4x4 (minus the lockers). As far as I'm concerned they should just make it a push button truck like all the rest and free up some floor space. It's no longer a manual 4x4 truck.

This is my third PW (own two right now), so this really ticks me off as a customer.

Makes me feel pretty stupid for insisting on a manual floor lever when I was shopping...

FirerescuePW · Post by **FirerescuePW** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 11:35 am

And GET OFF MY YARD!!!

Man, are we getting old or what? Really liking my '05...

nts007 · Post by **nts007** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 11:46 am

Old. Yea. Wiser. Yea. My wife was looking at a new Jeep Grand Cherokee. Then I saw it stopped by itself. So now she's looking at 07-08s.
I miss my 06PW which is now considered OLD (really?)
I miss my 07 dually which is also old??
I miss my 99 cummins. Which apparently is really old. Yet. The 3 best trucks I have owned.
My new truck. Is an 08. It's not old

Low_Sky · Post by **Low_Sky** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 11:58 am

Snowsled wrote:
waldo wrote:
Will wrote:I may have missed it if yall talked about it but this is the first I've read or heard of the newer PW's disconnecting the front driveline...what did they add to accomplish that? More freaking electronic controls...

"For the first time, Ram also threw in driveline disconnects, which detach the front axle driveline at highway speeds to reduce drag and improve fuel economy."

http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/fi ... wer-wagon/
Read my 2016 thread.

They put the CAD back in the new trucks. The big selling point for a lot of us was that the PW had a manual 4x4 (minus the lockers). As far as I'm concerned they should just make it a push button truck like all the rest and free up some floor space. It's no longer a manual 4x4 truck.

This is my third PW (own two right now), so this really ticks me off as a customer.

Makes me feel pretty stupid for insisting on a manual floor lever when I was shopping...

New PW's probably wouldn't come with a manual T-case if the controls for the locker and sway bar were not already occupying the dash space where the other trucks have their 4x4 controls.

If you want an all-mechanical, bare bones, dedicated rock crawling and off roading truck, a new Power Wagon is not the truck for you. A new Power Wagon is the most off-road capable factory production pick-up, but it is just that; a factory production pick-up. That means features that will appeal to a wide range of buyers (some of which you may not want), features driven by manufacturing and supply chain issues, and legally mandated safety technology. From this day, and every day forward, every Power Wagon rolling off the line must be legally compliant and produced at an acceptable margin for Ram. They are not a custom shop.

If your new Power Wagon comes with equipment you don't like, go write them a letter about it. If they get enough letters that say "CAD sucks and this will be my last Ram because of it", they may just consider putting a different axle in future model years. They probably won't, but if you don't ask, you can't receive.

The engineers that work on the Power Wagon may feel exactly the same way some of you feel about these things, but ultimately the bean counters, legal department and management get the final vote.

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nts007 · Post by **nts007** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 1:16 pm

All exactly true low_sky. It's also about staying competitive in the market with having more features to brag about then the other guy. For example if the cad nets 0.3mpg better than in their books that is an increase multiplied across 100,000 trucks. Remember when the rear window had to be manually opened. The world is about convenience and features. Remember when sports cars were meant to be drivers cars. Well they didn't have cup holders did they. Now some vehicles brag on how many cup holders they have. My kids are doing driver training. And guess what. If a vehicle is equipped with a back up camera they are REQUIRED to use it. Are you kidding me. Cars that park themselves cause the generations are getting too damn stupid to do it themselves. So convenience.

We are the last 10%.

FirerescuePW · Post by **FirerescuePW** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 3:37 pm

Everybody did see that new Ford trailer back up assist thingy where you turn the knob on the dash and it turns the wheel for you, right?

I wonder how many more generations before humans can't survive in "the wild" of civilization and we dwindle into extinction.

adeluca73 · Post by **adeluca73** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 6:24 pm

LoveRacing works for AAM up in Michigan (I think) either as a designer or in manufacturing, he really knows the finer details of the PW axles & their functionality, so he speaks from a position of first hand knowledge on the CAD and I think he'd give it to you straight if it was really that much of a liability as some are asserting. I've been on this forum about every single day the past two years,& I don't recall ever seeing someone posting about actual issues or failure in the new CAD system...lots of complaints about what could happen.

nts007 · Post by **nts007** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 7:30 pm

A lot of the what could happen comments are based on what has happened in the past. This is a debate more on why engineers are telling us what's best when we have first hand knowledge that they are just repeating past mistakes with new makeup and eyeshadow. Painting a turd doesn't make it new and improved. That aside loveracing and yourself adeluca are fantastic people in our community and we do trust your judgment on many things. On others we just disagree. Which is why these forums are great.
How about this argument. If cad axle disconnects are so great why does the great USA military not use them. We can debate the merits and durability of the system to no end its just fact that free spin hubs would be far superior to this axle disconnect. But the masses are to damn lazy. Everyone wants cushy push button experience. Arm chair warriors so to speak.
Features and extras added to these trucks fail. Look at the sway bar disconnect computer module. It fails. But I'd rather that fail then a touch screen system that controls my heat in the cab

Bill2014 · Post by **Bill2014** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 8:13 pm

Seems like a lot of angst over CAD failures that don't seem to be happening on the 2014+ Power Wagons. I also have been following every thread on here since before I bought my truck and haven't seen a plethora of issues with the CAD. The absense of failures here is real data that carries more weight than any opinions can. In the mean time, I'll continue to enjoy the extra half mpg that the CAD is delivering on the highway.

bstefanic · Post by **bstefanic** » Sat Jan 16, 2016 8:39 pm

Good luck grenading an axle shaft u- joint and trying to figure out how to pull that Swiss watch of a front end. K.I.S.S.

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