4X2 and non-LSD

[demodogg]

I was reading the latest issue of TDR and was intrigued by an article regarding 4X2's and snow traction. The writer was rebuilding his rear and look into getting a LSD installed. After some research he concluded that traction would be better without the LSD in snow conditions and other on-road sitiuations. Off-roading would be a different story.



I was wondering what your thoughts were. My current truck has the 3. 55 LSD but on the new one I'm thinking about ordering, I'm not so sure after reading the article.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I once had a 2wd w/o LSD and I would NEVER go back. Now, I wouldn't even buy a 4WD w/o it.

 

[RustyJC]

I had a "peg-leg" (open differential) 4x2 V-10 3500 dually in Ohio. Not recommended for winter driving!!



Rusty

 

[bkaiser]

My last truck was a gas D350 dually with 4. 10s and an open rear. It would get stuck in the flat on wet grass! I parked the truck from November until April because it was so useless in the snow. With the weight of the Cummins on the front wheels it could only be worse. My $. 02, they shouldn't be allowed to sell a 2 wheel dually without a LSD or locker.

 

[demodogg]

This is interesting because in the article he is saying just the opposite. I for one have always been partial to posi-traction or LSD as some call it. His article just got the ole brain thinking is all.



If anyone needs a reference to point to how this topic got started, go to Page 18 of issue 46. Article is called '500 dollars for traction'.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I've had two 4x2 LSDs and they did quite well. A 2001 and 2003, both shortbeds. Only had to chain up once going into the mountains towing the snowmobile trailer, and most of the time I had very little weight in the bed.



I would NEVER have a 4x2 without LSD. Some say it's dangerous, I drove thousands of miles in the snow without a problem.



Vaughn

 

[JHardwick]

As long as you don't freak with a little rear end kick out, 2 driving wheels are always gonna give you more foreward traction.

 

[JCleary]

I was snowmobiling in the Sierras with my Father, he towed the trailer, I met him there.



I had a '98 Land Rover Discovery Series I, with full-time 4wd with open diffs front and rear and no traction control (Introduced on Disco's on '98 series II)



I got stuck in 2 inches of snow with a little ice underneath. Both lefts spinning, both rights stopped. I would have given just about anything at that point to keep me from asking the guy in the PSD to give me a pull. But, unfortunately since my father already bailed, I had to ask.



Believe me, you want the limited slip.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I heard Dave Smith Motors in Idaho refused to stock LSD 4x4s, taking the position it was dangerous Not sure if they still have that policy.

 

[mberry]

I bought mine from Dave Smith and it has LSD and is a 4x4.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

This was back in 2000. I asked them about it on the phone and got this explanation about how it was unsafe on slick roads and all and it was against their policy to have any LSDs on the lot yadda yadda yadda. You could order them with it though.



Vaughn