Dealer Says My IS Only 3 WD !

[jefffoxsr]

I told the dealer that my truck only sends power to one of the front tires when in 4x4. They told me that the front end has an open differential.

 

I thought the front end was locked when put in 4x4.

 

If this is true, then I am not happy. An open front diff is basically useless.

 

Can someone tell me the truth about the front end on my truck?

 

Thanks.

[asilverblazer]

Then you got a useless 4wd. Which unless you have a G80 code in your glove box or added a traction device your self it is in all actuality a 2 wheel drive. One tire powering at the rear and one tire powering at the front. Technique is just as important as equipment. You have the equipment perfect the technique.

[jefffoxsr]

My sticker says that a locking rear differential was added as an option.

[asilverblazer]

My sticker says that a locking rear differential was added as an option.

 

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3wd then, however a lot of time my truck will spin all 4, one of the front tires has to have little or no traction to spin and leave the other stationary, especially with the amount of weight on them.

[srlbotanical]

An open carrier in the front is actually a good thing. I wouldn't want to be locked in front unless I was rock climbing or something. When you are in 4WD, power is going to both front wheels unless one totally losses traction. A locked front end in our IFS trucks would spell breakage pretty fast...

 

A good trick to remember is to use your brake. If you are off road, or pulling a stump, or whatever... in 4WD and you start to spin one wheel, you can ride the brakes a little and get traction back to all wheels. Braking increases the resistance on the wheel that is spinning and sends power to the wheel with traction.

 

Steve

[jefffoxsr]

Thanks for the great tip

[Jacqson]

I told the dealer that my truck only sends power to one of the front tires when in 4x4.  They told me that the front end has an open differential. 

 

I thought the front end was locked when put in 4x4.

 

If this is true, then I am not happy.  An open front diff is basically useless.

 

Can someone tell me the truth about the front end on my truck?

 

Thanks.

 

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The front end (9.25"IFS) is an open front end. if you get stuck the wheel with the least resistance will spin. The solution if you want to lock your front end is to by a selectable locker like an Eaton E-locker. It is called selectable because you can lock and unlock your front end at the flip of a switch. I have one in my truck and it works great, for kicking around or city driving you can leave it unlocked, but if you want maximum traction you can flip the switch, lock it up and you are good to go. You have to be careful of over reving because if both front wheels are spinning fast and one catches something solid you may blow something up although that can be said about any locking diff. I swear by mine as it has got me out of places I would have probably never made it out of without it. You can read about it at(www.traction.eaton.com/prod1.htm)

[wht2500hd...]

why design a 4x4 system that only delivers power to one front and one rear wheel ?

 

better control or handling on slippery roads at higher speeds.

 

when driving around a curved road the inside wheel spins slower than the outer wheel. but if wheels were locked then this could not happen and vehicle would slide out of control.

 

limited slip differentials are good for control. posi locking front and rear differentials are for forward movement in deep snow or mud. but you can have a positive locking rear differential only and have acceptable control on curved slippery roads because most posi's lock only when a wheel spins... a limited slip will send power only to the wheel with most resistance (the wheel that spins will not get power.)

 

on a steep slippery ramp (using a limited slip) sometimes the wheels will alternate driving the vehicle up the ramp because each wheel is spinning equally (or slipping equally); but this occurs only at a pre-determined axle speed - you must travel fast enough to spin the axles or deliver enough power to make an axle spin at a higher speed to activate the limited slip function.

 

some posi's click and this can be annoying - but is normal. posi's deliver more traction on a slippery surface than limited slips. but limited slips offer better control.

 

posi's are for off-roading. in a snow covered parking lot a car with a posi can swerve sideways if too much force is applied, especially if on a crowned surface.

 

a 4x4 with front and rear posi can move thru deeper snow than any other setup.

 

a 4x4 with standard differentials is the best for control but still offers some good traction on slippery surfaces.

 

front wheel drive only vehicles give the best control over any other setup, and traction is almost as good as 4x4 until snow or mud become too deep.

[Jacqson]

why design a 4x4 system that only delivers power to one front and one rear wheel ?

 

better control or handling on slippery roads at higher speeds.

 

when driving around a curved road the inside wheel spins slower than the outer wheel. but if wheels were locked then this could not happen and vehicle would slide out of control.

 

limited slip differentials are good for control. posi locking front and rear differentials are for forward movement in deep snow or mud. but you can have a positive locking rear differential only and have acceptable control on curved slippery roads because most posi's lock only when a wheel spins... a limited slip will send power only to the wheel with most resistance (the wheel that spins will not get power.)

 

on a steep slippery ramp (using a limited slip) sometimes the wheels will alternate driving the vehicle up the ramp because each wheel is spinning equally (or slipping equally); but this occurs only at a pre-determined axle speed - you must travel fast enough to spin the axles or deliver enough power to make an axle spin at a higher speed to activate the limited slip function.

 

some posi's click and this can be annoying - but is normal. posi's deliver more traction on a slippery surface than limited slips. but limited slips offer better control.

 

posi's are for off-roading. in a snow covered parking lot a car with a posi can swerve sideways if too much force is applied, especially if on a crowned surface.

 

a 4x4 with front and rear posi can move thru deeper snow than any other setup.

 

a 4x4 with standard differentials is the best for control but still offers some good traction on slippery surfaces.

 

front wheel drive only vehicles give the best control over any other setup, and traction is almost as good as 4x4 until snow or mud become too deep.

 

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I totally agree and that is why I suggested a selectable locker so you can lock and unlock your diffs as weather and road conditions dictate. With a selectable you are in control and with a regular posi which work on either engine RPM or wheel slip you are kind of at their mercy so to speak.