A Transfer Case is a fundamental part of the 4-wheel drive system on your 2003-2004 Dodge Ram 2500/3500. The transfer case in a 4-wheel drive system is responsible for transferring power to both the front and rear axles. Contained inside the transfer case is a set of gears and chains that are engaged or disengaged depending on the drive mode selected. 4-wheel low is for low-speed situations where maximum torque is required such as driving up a steep rocky hill or pulling out a stuck vehicle. Bolted to the back of the transmission, a transfer case has two driveshafts connected to it that run to each axle. 4-wheel high will maintain the same gear ratio as 2-wheel drive and is for high-speed situations such as driving on dirt or snow-covered roads.
It is highly recommended to not engage the transfer case for anything other than off-road or low-traction situations. When engaged in 4-wheel drive the transfer case and drivetrain need some wheel slip to prevent binding or damage. In some applications an external brace can be added to increase the structural rigidity of the transfer case to prevent damage from high torque loads or twisting. Since transfer cases lock the front and rear axle together, the wheels are unable to spin at different speeds making turning and cornering on dry pavement difficult. A Transfer Case typically does not require internal upgrades or modification unless the vehicle will be used for extreme off-roading or racing applications. Shop XDP's large selection of Transfer Case products from the top brands such as Merchant Automotive, PPE, Sun Coast Converters, and Dorman.
