A transfer case is a part of the drivetrain that is present in a four-wheel drive, all-wheel drive, and other multi-powered axle vehicles. It is meant for transferring power from the transmission to the front and to the rear axles by means of drive shafts. It is also used to synchronize the difference between the rotation of the front and rear wheels. They might also contain one or more sets of low-range gears for the purpose of off-road use.
Every automobile company uses this part in their vehicles. Dodge is one of the most famous automobile companies that also make use of transfer cases in its vehicles. So to properly understand the whole idea behind Dodge transfer cases, here we will explain the part in brief.
This blogpost will be really helpful to a person who does not have any knowledge regarding automobile parts. Let’s begin!
Functions
There are many functions for which the transfer case is responsible in a dodge car. Hence, it is considered one of the most important parts of a dodge. Here is the list of some important functions performed by the transfer case:
- The transfer case in a dodge car is responsible for transferring power from the transmission to the front and rear axle. It transfers the power to both the parts or any one of these parts. The process is executed by using gears, hydraulics, or chain drive. For vehicles that are meant for off-roading, this feature is in the control of the driver. The driver has the power to put the transfer case in two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive.
- Transfer cases in dodge are usually designed for traveling on normal roads. They use synchronization for differentiating between the rotation of the front and rear wheels. Here the differentiation acts in the same way as it acts on a given axle. This is a necessary function because the front and rear tires never run at the same speed. The difference of speed in tire rotation is because of the difference in diameters of the tires.
- Dodge transfer cases that are designed for off-road use have the feature of mechanically locking the front and rear driveshafts according to the selection of the driver. This type of feature is used when one axle is on a slippery surface or stuck in the mud, whereas the other has better traction. This is somewhat equivalent to the differential lock.
- When the transfer case is designed for off-road use, it might contain one or more sets of low-range gears. Low range gears are usually engaged with a shifter or electronic switch. Low range gears are meant for allowing the vehicle to travel at a much slower speed while still maintaining the usual power band or RPM range of the engine. This feature is also useful for increasing the torque available at the axles. Low range gears are used when there is a rough road, and driving fast is difficult in such conditions.
Types
Transfer cases are used on part-time four-wheel drive off-road vehicles such as truggies, rock-crawling vehicles, trucks, and military vehicles. The transfer case’s main function is to allow the drivers to choose between 2WD or 4WD as well as high or low gear ranges. There are two drive types based on the usage of transfer cases, which are as follows:
Gear Driven
Gear-driven transfer cases are meant for using sets of gears to either drive the front driveshafts or both the front and the rear driveshafts. These are generally very strong and heavy units; thus, they are most commonly used in trucks. But nowadays, companies are producing gear-driven transfer cases for passenger cars as well.
Chain Driven
Chain-driven transfer cases are meant for using chains to drive one axle in most of the cases, but sometimes they can also drive both the axles present in the automobile. Chain-driven transfer cases are quieter and are light as compared to gear-driven transfer cases. They are used in vehicles such as compact trucks, full-size trucks, jeeps, and SUVs. Some people who love off-roading prefer to change their transfer cases from chain-driven to gear-driven for better control.
Conclusion
Dodge transfer cases are an extremely crucial part of the vehicles manufactured by Dodge. It is the part that helps the vehicle to run smoothly on roads that are rough. So people who are keen on offroading and love to drive cars on rough roads must consider buying vehicles that have transfer cases so that they can shift to 2WD or 4WD while driving.