4WD on dry pavement

[tleed]

I have a '96 Suburban diesel (2500). I've only had it a year and haven't driven in 4WD on dry pavement much. However, it seems like when I do there's lots of tire scrubbing in tight turns. How is this system supposed to work? As in, is there a differential between the front and rear? Or just one on each axle? And how do I determine whether I'm lucky enough (probably not) to have a limited slip rear?

 

 

I searched the owner's manual in vain for any clues. It just tells you what speeds to change from 2WD high to 4WD high and back and into and out of 4WD low.

 

If there's not a front to rear diff, then I guess that would explain the scrubbing. Not really full-time 4WD. If that's the case, how much trouble will I cause cruising around or turning in 4Wd on days when there's some snow and lots of dry pavement too.

 

I'm not new to 4Wd, but my previous ones were 1978 Blazers (real full-time 4WD w/front-rear diff.) and a 1983 Wagoneer (with limited-slip front-to-rear diff.).

 

Thomas

[budhayes3]

On dry pavement in 4wd, the front wheels will bind and scrub since the hubs are locked. It's not recommended to use 4wd on dry pavement. Your truck has front and rear diffs and a transfer case for 4wd operation. As far as finding out if you have an LSD, you can check the RPO codes in the glove box. I'm not sure about 96, but G80 is the code for the locking diff in the 99's and up. There is an RPO code list on this website

[hihosilverado]

I would highly recommend that you dont use your 4wd on dry pavement. I would imagine that you do have the real locker, you can do as stated above and check for codes (easiest) or flex your suspension out in 2wd until one rear wheel leaves the ground or gets really close to leaving the ground. Then put on the gas and see if the rear end locks up (funnest).

[Ben]

Just a few miles will potentially ruin the drive train, and/or cause mystery vibrations down the road.

 

4x4 is meant to be used in slippery conditions. Good pavement will bend/break/etc things.

 

Unless it's a full time 4x4, that type of system is designed for dry pavement 4x4.

 

Just one full circle in 4x4 on dry pavement will do harm, expecially a long 3/4 ton like a Suburban.

 

I've seen bent drive shafts, broken transfer cases, busted U-Joints and of course mystery vibrations that no one could diag from folks who drove on dry pavement in 4x4.