I took my new 2014 up a 3.0 rated off road trail here in AZ. I was more than happy with the way my anti-spin rear axle worked. As soon as a tire broke free and started to spin, power was transferred to the other side, and the truck hooked up. It worked great.
And I'm guessing you were in dirt or rocks?
That's what it is. I can't stand this type of diff as it doesn't perform as well as the limited slip type with clutches. Durability is suppose to be better than clutch types. As an example, my 2001 1/2 ton can climb my steep driveway in the winter in 2wd but my 3rd and 4th gen dodges have never been able to and I always have to use 4x4. The current design will dig two trenches in dirt, on pavement or any solid surface. Put it on ice, snow or really slick mud and no power gets transferred to the other tire, it just spins. I've been told to apply parking brake to "load up" the axles to transfer power but it never works.
Yes, hence the words "off road" in my postIt's mostly just a long boring dirt road with a few "obstacles" thrown in. Still a solid 2.5-3.0 rated trail.
Like I said, don't count on the anti-spin doing you any favors in the snow or ice. This is a "fair weather" rear end if I've ever seen one.
That's what it is. I can't stand this type of diff as it doesn't perform as well as the limited slip type with clutches. Durability is suppose to be better than clutch types. As an example, my 2001 1/2 ton can climb my steep driveway in the winter in 2wd but my 3rd and 4th gen dodges have never been able to and I always have to use 4x4. The current design will dig two trenches in dirt, on pavement or any solid surface. Put it on ice, snow or really slick mud and no power gets transferred to the other tire, it just spins. I've been told to apply parking brake to "load up" the axles to transfer power but it never works.
Take the Service Brake instead of the parking brake, makes a huge difference.
Just tip it lightly with your LEFT Foot together with Light to Medium Throttle.
The Torsen Style Diff need a force on both wheels to work properly, with the light braking on the spinnig wheel you transfer the force to the other wheel - but there is a limit of 65-75% of force you can transfer, it isn't a 100% Locker but far better then the old Traclock Style.
Makes since to use the AAM torsion style differential on a truck that is designed to go 300,000-500,000 miles.
Why would you want to replace worn clutches, or the rear end completely when the clutches wear out
I'd rather have a true limited slip that works when I need it to instead of only on hard pack and pavement. The aam axles do seem like high quality and durable units, the anti spin qualities are what I'm not happy with. My old 1/2 ton's trac-loc is far superior in performance. Oh yeah, I finally had to rebuild it at 173,000 miles with about 90.00 dollars worth of parts........
If you are not happy with it you could install the 100% G80 that AAM installs into the Axles for GM, fits plug and play.
http://www.gm-trucks.com/forums/topic/144742-is-my-locking
I thought about this option a year ago but decided to wait until my Torsen breaks or let me stranded in a mudpot.