2013 RAM HDs driven/tested

FishOnOne wrote:
Does the '13 RAM 4x4 have the ability to disconnect the front wheels to spin freely without turning the front axle?

Also what does the front suspension look like on a 2wd 3500? Is it an independent suspension or a solid axle setup?

leadhead wrote:

The front driveshaft, pinion gear, ring gear and t-case chain remain still. The real losses occur when "powering" the ring gear and pinion through the wheels. Ring and pinions have a tremendous amount of friction from the hypoid interface, and that is compounded by the fact you are spinning the pinion, front driveshaft and t-case chain at ~4 times the wheel speed. Ford, GM, RAM/Chrysler, Toyota and many more all use CAD systems. They have proven fuel economy gains, otherwise they wouldn't spend the effort to design them.

You will not see Dynatrac or Spyntech "traditional" type hubs in a production full-sized ever again. They cost too much to produce, and take far too much time to set-up properly on the production line. The most you could ever possibly hope for is Ford-style lockout-able unit-bearing hubs.