Locking differential, what's that?

[tealboy]

I am familiar w/ limited slip differentials, but in the chevy book, it discussed locking differential on the z71 suburban. what is that, how does it differ from limited slip and what is the advantage?

[firstruck]

Ah, differentials, the black hole of the shadetree mechanic.

 

Try starting here - http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm

[pm26]

 

This site explains it pretty well.

[KTSTEEL]

Here is another that puts it in plain english.

http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/locking.html

[pm26]

Here is another that puts it in plain english.

http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/locking.html

 

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So in summary, we have something of a hybrid between a real locker and limited slip. I had only limited slips before, this is my first hybrid.

 

There is a system that Nissan uses on their Titan and Frontier trucks that is perhaps the best of all. It is electronic traction system which automatically applies the brake to the spinning wheel, forcing the other wheel to spin. Applied to all four wheels, this seems like a really good system. No limited slip or locking differential is really needed with this setup.