Locking diffs

[R_Walter]

I was reading somewhere where both front and rear differentials are locked in when '4-wheel lo' is selected in the 2016 Ram 3500s. [Not saying this isn't the case in earlier model years or 2500s or 1500s.] Does anyone know if you get true 4 wheel drive when in '4-wheel lo'?

I know it's not the case in my 96s. Anyone?

 

[kthaxton]

No, they do not have diff lockers.

If you read this from a reputable source, maybe when they said 4wd locks the front and rear together (i.e. NOT fulltime AWD) you misinterpreted it as the diffs being locked?

 

[R_Walter]

No, they do not have diff lockers.

If you read this from a reputable source, maybe when they said 4wd locks the front and rear together (i.e. NOT fulltime AWD) you misinterpreted it as the diffs being locked?

I'm not interpreting anything at this point... only asking the question. Sounds like your answer is no. Thanks for the response.

 

[Flash1034]

A locking rear should at least be an option on the Ram. Unfortunately, the best you can do now is a limited slip....the operative word being limited.

Flash

(Except the PW)

 

[AH64ID]

Only Ram model with locking front and rear diff's is the 2500 Power Wagon, and even then you have to select them when in 4-Lo.

Where did you read that at?

 

[Flash1034]

Only Ram model with locking front and rear diff's is the 2500 Power Wagon, and even then you have to select them when in 4-Lo.

Where did you read that at?

Yes, I know...that's why I said except the PW....Power Wagon.

 

[AH64ID]

Yes, I know...that's why I said except the PW....Power Wagon.

My comment was to the OP, the one who asked the question.

 

[slingshot383]

Isn't a Detroit Locker available for the AAM rearend? You would not want to put them in both the front and rear axle, but just in the rear would be nice.

 

[jhenderson]

A Detroit locker in a street driven vehicle isn't nice. It's even worse in a working truck.

 

[spoon059]

Only Ram model with locking front and rear diff's is the 2500 Power Wagon, and even then you have to select them when in 4-Lo.

From a mechanical standpoint, why wouldn't Ram offer the locking diffs in other models? If I remember correctly, the Power Wagon is rated to the same axle weights and same tow ratings as the "regular" 2500, so it would seem that the axles with the locking diffs are just as capable as the limited slip diffs.

If everything else is mechanically the same... why not offer locking diffs and better capability? I speak from pure ignorance, so I really don't know. Can anyone offer a realistic reason?

 

[kthaxton]

A Detroit locker in a street driven vehicle isn't nice. It's even worse in a working truck.

I agree, I would not want an automatic locker in a vehicle that didn't have an off-road priority, especially one that is likely to be towing/hauling a lot of weight). They aren't exactly horrible, but they have some attributes that just aren't worth it unless they are really needed for real, off-road use.

While a selectable locker would be cool, to me, a limited slip is good enough for a heavy duty truck that also sees mild off-road use.

 

[kthaxton]

From a mechanical standpoint, why wouldn't Ram offer the locking diffs in other models? If I remember correctly, the Power Wagon is rated to the same axle weights and same tow ratings as the "regular" 2500, so it would seem that the axles with the locking diffs are just as capable as the limited slip diffs.

If everything else is mechanically the same... why not offer locking diffs and better capability? I speak from pure ignorance, so I really don't know. Can anyone offer a realistic reason?

While I don't know for certain the reason....I suspect it is either they just don't think most customers would want one, or these lockers aren't capable of handling the torque of a Cummins (Power Wagon is not available with a Cummins and are not rated the same as a Cummins equipped truck)....especially when they could be hauling a lot of weight and could risk an unknowing owner engaging it when loaded.

Does anyone know if Ford and Chevy offer a selectable locker with their Diesels? I know at least Chevy has one, just don't know if you can get it with the Duramax.

 

[AH64ID]

Isn't a Detroit Locker available for the AAM rearend? You would not want to put them in both the front and rear axle, but just in the rear would be nice.

A Detroit locker in one of these trucks would be horrible unless it lived off road. Too much torque and too little weight on the back end.

Detroit's aren't the friendliest of lockers on smaller rigs that are street driven either.

From a mechanical standpoint, why wouldn't Ram offer the locking diffs in other models? If I remember correctly, the Power Wagon is rated to the same axle weights and same tow ratings as the "regular" 2500, so it would seem that the axles with the locking diffs are just as capable as the limited slip diffs.

If everything else is mechanically the same... why not offer locking diffs and better capability? I speak from pure ignorance, so I really don't know. Can anyone offer a realistic reason?

Warranty. A Hemi will have a lot harder time breaking axles and u-joints with the axles locked up than a CTD will.

Additionally, the e-locker isn't made for the 11.5, only the 10.5.

The power wagon also doesn't have the same ratings as other 2500's. Oddly it has a higher RAWR than other Hemi trucks, but the FAWR is quite a bit lower and down at 4,750. 500-1,000 lbs lower than the same axle without the e-locker. It also has the lowest GVWR of any 2500. Since GVWR is very much a warrany issue I am going to guess the lower GVWR and FAWR are in part due to the e-lockers.

Aside from the CNG 2500 the Power Wagon has the lowest tow rating and GCWR of any 2500.

I would like to put the OEM e-locker in my front axle but it would need some careful management when used as all that weight and torque would break things in a hurry.

While I don't know for certain the reason....I suspect it is either they just don't think most customers would want one, or these lockers aren't capable of handling the torque of a Cummins (Power Wagon is not available with a Cummins and are not rated the same as a Cummins equipped truck)....especially when they could be hauling a lot of weight and could risk an unknowing owner engaging it when loaded.

Does anyone know if Ford and Chevy offer a selectable locker with their Diesels? I know at least Chevy has one, just don't know if you can get it with the Duramax.

On the power wagon the locker can only be engaged in 4-Lo so accidental locking would be difficult. But I agree on the power side.

IIRC Ford has the option.

 

[Manchester]

Additionally, the e-locker isn't made for the 11.5, only the 10.5.

The 14+ Power Wagon has the AAM11.5 and a locker/LSD combo so theoretically its possible to transplant one in a CTD truck. They are dealer only parts as far as my research shows and $$$.

 

[AH64ID]

The 14+ Power Wagon has the AAM11.5 and a locker/LSD combo so theoretically its possible to transplant one in a CTD truck. They are dealer only parts as far as my research shows and $$$.

Thanks, I hadn't caught the change.

 

[Manchester]

Part numbers for the PW rear locker/LSD if anyone is interested.

68237726AB - ACTUATOR-AXLE LOCKER - List $414.00
68237725AB - CASE-DIFFERENTIAL - List $3285.00

 

[Flash1034]

Yes, both Ford and Chevy offer locking rear diffs in their diesel trucks. Fords is an electric locker and Chevy is an automatic, speed sensing locker. Ram needs to get on board with this and at least offer a selectable locker as an option. If you use it just once to get unstuck, it would pay for itself.

Flash

 

[Ozymandias]

I like the AAM Torsen Locker, it does pretty much enough to don't get stuck, and I do offroad.
For most application the Torsen is plenty and didn't hurt onroad capabilities.

But I to would like to have the Powerwagons combination of Torsen AND mechanical Locker, that's an awesome feature!! Best of both worlds.

 

[jhenderson]

Yes, both Ford and Chevy offer locking rear diffs in their diesel trucks. Fords is an electric locker and Chevy is an automatic, speed sensing locker. Ram needs to get on board with this and at least offer a selectable locker as an option. If you use it just once to get unstuck, it would pay for itself.

Flash

The GM may be called a GovLoc but it's not a locker. It uses a governor and fly weights to apply a clutch pack. Teminology is important. Throwing the term locker around causes a lot of confusion.

 

[kthaxton]

I like the AAM Torsen Locker, it does pretty much enough to don't get stuck, and I do offroad.
For most application the Torsen is plenty and didn't hurt onroad capabilities.

But I to would like to have the Powerwagons combination of Torsen AND mechanical Locker, that's an awesome feature!! Best of both worlds.

Just as Henderson said about the GovLoc above, the AAM Torsen is not a locker, it is a limited slip. A locker and a limited slip are not the same thing.