I’ve spent the last 3 days immersing myself in videos, opinions, and documentation on the 48-11 vs 48-12 for my custom order Ram Rebel. I’ve come to the following conclusions.....
- I went with the 48-11 transfer case, with the 4wd auto button option. Myself, and more importantly my wife, will find ourselves in instances where we would want 4wd auto more than the “alleged” benefits of part time 4wd mechanical locking in the 48-12 VS the “dreaded” wet clutch locking In the 48-11. Besides am I really going to put my brand new truck in an off-road situation where I may need the alleged benefits of the 48-12? Maybe in 10 years.
- the 48-11 just became an option for the rebel in gen 5 late 2020 and 2021. In 2019 you could only get the 48-12. Maybe they waited to market soak the 48-11 see if there was slippage/overheating issues like the previous 44-44? I called around a bunch ram service depts and none have seen those issues with the 48-11.
- watching these videos where the 4H is not locking with the 48-11 seems to be mostly attributed to old school part time 4wd operating practices applied to new technology. With anything new, you need to adapt. Many have either self admitted after their videos that either the tires were too inflated, or their Traction Control and ESC were not disabled. Both of which need to be for true wet clutch 4H locking. Also, I’ve seen plenty of off-roading 2021 big horns, Laramie, and limiteds with no issues and all of those have the 48-11, the off road package does not swap it out to the 48-12
- I cannot find any details on the mechanical improvements to the 48-11 despite general statements stating it’s more robust. This ticks me off. If you want to keep transfer case differences generic on the surface as a marketing ploy, whatever. But don’t make details completely unobtainable for potential customers.
- another post I read was a eureka moment. A clutch IS a mechanical lock. Your transmission has one. Cargo ships I worked on with medium speed diesels of which were the size of a ram 1500 were clutched to the propeller shaft. Seriously what’s the big deal?
- clutch components, including friction plates and transfer case internals should be covered by the power train warranty. Which is 5/100k with the ecodiesel which I am getting.(although I am curious with the diesel having more torque than the etorque hemi, I hope I don’t need new friction plates in my transfer case everytime I attemp to off-road.LOL
BUT IM PUMPED! Ill post photos when I get it.
