2010 Silverado Rear Locker

iamhistory · August 10, 2010

I bought a 2010 Taupe Metallic Grey, Crew Cab, Chevy Silverado Z71 last month and I have a question about the rear locking differential.

I've never had a vehicle with a locking differential so excuse my ignorance but I am very curious to learn as much about my truck as possible. I want to know what it can and cannot be expected to do.

Will the auto locking differential in the 2010's engage when the truck is in 2 wheel drive or will it only work if I am running in 4x4?

Any other useful info you think would be helpful would be appreciated. This is my first new truck and the technology in my 2010 compared to my '97 and old '84 is just ridiculous. I am really enjoying my new truck and knowing more about some of its features would give me a lot more confidence in its (and my) abilities.

Thanks!!

txab · August 10, 2010

It will engage in 2 wheel drive

Might take a look this video.

Z45 · August 10, 2010

Does not matter, once 1 wheel spins 100 rpm faster than the other, it will lock and drive with both wheels. It does not work over 20 mph because its not needed if you are going that fast.

What this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sw9DwurQAs

iamhistory · August 10, 2010

Thanks guys I have been checking the vids out. Nice info. that of course leads to other pieces of info that I've found to be useful and also entertaining.

So will my locker work the same way in 4x4 as it does in 2wd? I've always been disgusted with "four wheel drive" vehicles that really aren't 4x4. In my mind if you have 4x4 then all four wheels should be driving at the same time.

How exactly does the 4x4 work in the 2010 and also, does the locker work the same way as in 2?

Sorry for the basic questions. I can drive 'em......I just can't tell you how they work in too much detail.

txab · August 10, 2010

It works the same in 2 WD or 4 wd. It doesn't care if you're in 2 wd or 4 wd

iamhistory · August 10, 2010

The animated vid on the G80 really explains very well how the locker works. I have a MUCH better understanding of the function now. Some of those vids are really interesting on how the tests came out. I try to watch ones that are objective and not done by the brand loyal guys just to show their brand of truck is supposedly better. I've had Fords and Chevys and I like the Chevys better.

The G80 comparison vids to the limited slip systems show a huge difference and something I've been craving in my four wheel drive vehicles for years. Are the vids really a good estimation of what the 2010 Silverado is capable of?

I actually had my truck in some fairly rugged terrain today to do a little scouting in preparation for this year's hunting season. I played around with the terrain in 2wd and 4high just to see how the truck would respond. I didn't take it into 4low at all. I handled the terrain without a problem and I purposely stayed in 2wd most of the time just to see what it would do. Some of the ruts were easily pushing two feet deep and they were pretty muddy. I tried to stay out of the mud just because I didn't want my truck to get too sloppy but in doing so I had to deal with other terrain issues like good sized rocks, steep slopes, etc. The truck handled them without any problems at all.

Maybe after the newness wears off a little and I'm not so protective of it, I will go back into that area and be a little more aggressive. I also had my son who is only 6 with me today. When he is with me I never take any stupid risks in case something did happen and I had to worry about being back in the sticks with his well being to worry about. Next trip it'll be me in my truck and a friend in his Jeep. Then I'll feel more comfortable in trying a few more challenges.

I have some funny stories from when I was a kid and my Dad and I would go on our outdoor adventures. He loved Fords and I remember when he got a brand new F-150 in the 70's.....his famous last words were "Fords climb trees!" (said as a joke of course) And when we broke our front axle and got stuck 30 miles back in the woods on a remote power line, and when we were on the beach and sank into a soft part of the sand just before high tide and the truck was eventually covered in ocean up to the Ford emblem on the grille b/c we sank so deep not even tow trucks with winches could pull us out.......well that "Fords climb trees!" slogan came back to haunt him and his friends recalled it for him many, many times in friendly banter.

For me......I went with Chevys and I always hear my Dad's voice when I am thinking about doing something stupid with my truck.