[murdog94]

Alright i own a 2004 Dodge Ram 4X4 with the Appearance package, 20s and the hemi. it is the Loaded SLT with everything but leather.
The last time i drove it in snow (i rarely use the truck at all) i wanted to test the ABS etc just kinda to know what i was dealing with. The ABS didnt really do anything, and kicked in quite weak. I have no warning lights, and everything is checking out correctly, but well my wife does drive it on occasion and i would rather not have an issue with her driving it. Is it normal for the ABS to not really do anything? Is there a certain speed that it is supposed to kick in at? I was going 45 when i did it the first time and the pedal pulsed slowly 2 times then nothing. And are they even equipped with 4wheel abs or is it only rear?
I am normally a ford and Gm man, and know those systems but the Ram is proving to be quite a different beast.

 

[47 LTG]

Abs

Did you try this on dry pavement or on gravel? I am a brake and suspesion tech and I try and do my initail test at around that speed in a straight line in a designated gravel lot. If you get the pedal to drop and hear the pump running than it is working, I have noticed that the trucks with 20's dont lock up as easily as the ones with let say the 17 inch package. They have the same brakes but the bigger Wheel/tire has more leverage, plus if you are comparing it to the chevy,it wont feel like it is as sensitive. This is assuming you dont have an ABS lite on because if thats the case the system has shut it self off and you dont have any ABS. Good Luck.

 

[olerodder]

I had a problem with my 08 Dodge Ram 1500. It's the BigHorn addition and is two wheel drive with the Hemi.
I drive the truck almost everyday, but the other day when I started the truck up the brake light came on and the ABS light came on. I drove to the store this way and really didn't notice anything different, it stopped ok but I really didn't try stomping on the brakes. I shut the truck off and then maybe 20 minutes later I came out, started it up and drove back home. The brake light and ABS did not come on and I have driven it since with no issue.
Yesterday I was pulling my race car trailer out of the garage, didn't have the lights or electric brakes hook up, got out of the truck with the truck running and noticed the brake lights were blinking off and on. I didn't have the emergency brake on, just had it in park.
Any ideas. The truck has about 45k miles on it.
Thanks, John

 

[murdog94]

Did you try this on dry pavement or on gravel? I am a brake and suspesion tech and I try and do my initail test at around that speed in a straight line in a designated gravel lot. If you get the pedal to drop and hear the pump running than it is working, I have noticed that the trucks with 20's dont lock up as easily as the ones with let say the 17 inch package. They have the same brakes but the bigger Wheel/tire has more leverage, plus if you are comparing it to the chevy,it wont feel like it is as sensitive. This is assuming you dont have an ABS lite on because if thats the case the system has shut it self off and you dont have any ABS. Good Luck.

Thanks, and no the ABS light isnt on, i have 4wheel ABS, but it just doesnt do anything in the snow.. Gravel it is pretty much impossible to get it skid lol. The pedal pumps a tiny tiny bit, and the tires just slide with out any real affect. But im just wondering and didnt know how sensative and or powerful they really are.

 

[trucksnbucks]

Did you stomp on the brakes or apply them slightly more gradually? Many times if you you hit them real hard, all the wheels stop simultaneously, the truck just thinks it's stopped. I know sort of defeats the purpose, but they are not as sensitive as the GM abs.