<< From the "Old School" approach, here's what they mean:
Full-Time 4WD: Exactly that...4WD ALL the time (No option to switch into 2WD)>>
Dodge did not implement it that way for the '98 model years. From what I hear
from the 2k owners, it looks like they have implemented it as you describe
above. In either case it is still the NV 242 transfer case. What full-time
really means is you can use it safely in high traction conditions, I.E. on dry
paved streets.
<<Part-Time 4WD: Normally in 2WD and can be switched into 4WD (Common
options are 4W-Lo and 4W-Hi)>>
Well yeah, but the bottom line on a part-time system is that it should not be
used in high traction conditions. The part-time T-Case dodge used in late model
Dakotas is the NV 231.
<<Neutral: Just that...no gears engaged...recommended for towing purposes.>>
Yup.
<<2WD: Self explanatory>>
Thank God!
<<So what's this 4WD-Lo Part Time?????>>
The NV 242 full-time T-Case reverts to a part-time system when in 4-Low.
It seems to me that everyone is getting really hung-up on the names of things
and not how they work... Different manufacturers call their systems and their
implementations by different names which can be confusing. It's much like the
lsd v. trak-loc v. posi (they're all the same thing) confusion.
A full-time system, regardless of how "user-selectable" it is, has one common
component. Namely, they have some sort of differential device in the transfer
case that allows a variable amount of power to be applied to each axle. This
differential allows for safe dry street operation when turning. This is
precisely analogous to the differential on your axle and has the same downside
of open differentials for serious off-road work.
With the part-time case (NV 231) there is no center differential so an equal
amount of power or some fixed ratio of power (chosen by the manufacturer) is
supplied to each axle. This will cause the driveline to bind when turning in
high traction conditions (dry pavement).
On my '98, Dodge chose to implement the ultimate in "user selectable" full-time
4wd... I have all the options from 2wd to 4wd-Hi PT to 4wd-Hi FT to 4wd-Low PT.
For the 2K's, apparently they have limited the selectability on the full-time
shifter. It appears there is not a 2wd position and they have changed the
description (words only) of part-time and full-time operation. They now refer
to part-time operation as locked and full-time has no other words modifying it
(it just says 4wd). To "re-code" my selector with Dodges new descriptions mine
would read:
--->2wd
--->4wd-Hi Locked (a.k.a. part-time hi) -- off-road only
--->4wd (a.k.a. full-time hi) -- anytime you want
--->N
--->4wd-Lo Locked (a.k.a. part-time low) -- off-road only
Clear as mud?
Tom
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