What's The Diff?

[Philo Beddoe]

hey guys! i just sold my '03 sierra, 3500, sle,4x4, crew cab, dually, 8.1L. ya that's right, 8.1L. only had 28,000kms on it! great truck but too big, so i'm looking to down size. my local dealer has a '07 "old style" sierra,1500, 2wd, crew cab, short box that i'm interested in. my question is, i'm concerned with going 2wd only when the snow falls. this particular truck has a locking rear differential and a "traction assist system"? i know enough to put weight over the rear axle and to get some good snow tires, but can you guys tell me if this set up is right for me, if my concern is traction and performance on snow and ice? i like this truck alot, but if it isn't the prefered differential in 2wd trucks for traction on slippery surfaces, i will pass on it i think i remember hearing that a limited slip differential is prefered for winter conditions??? help, i'm confused! thanks in advance for any wisdom

[Wingnut]

Where do you live? How much snow and ice do you get?

 

I lived in Denver for a few years, and the only trouble I had with a 2wd was in the heaviest of snowfalls...Of course, I also owned a Z71, so if it DID get deep, I had that option.

[Philo Beddoe]

Where do you live? How much snow and ice do you get?

 

I lived in Denver for a few years, and the only trouble I had with a 2wd was in the heaviest of snowfalls...Of course, I also owned a Z71, so if it DID get deep, I had that option.

i live in vancouver brirish columbia. i dare say that denver gets a hell of a lot more snow than we do, but it does snow here and at times it can really dump!

[karld]

I have the G80 locker in my truck,and I like it in the winter. I put on Blizzaks and some weight in the box and no problem. I would think a truck with traction assist would be even better.

[Alljackedup408]

here dude.. check this out.. im a gm tech at a GMC dealer and i see alot of trucks with the locker option.. see if that truck has this.. watch this video.. it will show what it does.. i think this would help a bunch!

 

 

[Alljackedup408]

watch this vid also!

[Philo Beddoe]

thanks everyone. i think i'll go for this truck. now the part i dread,working the price.

[Alljackedup408]

sweet... yeah the locker will do the job u need just fiine... good luck on findin a truck now!

[Ranger]

I don't like the traction control system, I had it on my Colorado and it sucked, a couple times it would kick in when I tried changing lanes and stomping it, and offroad it was kind of a nuisance, kept flashing "low trac" every time the wheel would slip a bit.