Limited slip differential, is it worth it?

[MBigelow]

Well, we finally did it, ordered an 05' 3500 SRW, short wheel Laramie H 4 x 4 yesterday from fleet mgr. Pete Barnhouse at Wilsonville Town & Country (Oregon) Oo.



Our entire experience with Pete couldn't have been better, it was an easy going, very informative experience with him. Before you buy anywhere, give Pete a chance to meet or beat any other pricing you may have!



With all the posts regarding chatter, pealing paint and the constant experimenting to find the right lube on the limited slip differentials, we decided to go with the simplicity of the basic no frills rear end.



With all the torque of the 600 and the constant rain in the Pacific Northwest, is this going to be a problem



Thank you



Mel

 

[Marty1]

I would order it if I was you.

With a dually it is almost mandatory but even on a SRW I'd rather have it given the choice.

 

[swaite]

I have not experienced any chatter on the new American Axel and I believe they don't need the "special" additive the older Dana axels required. On my old Ramcharger it was more like the occasional clunk as the gear lube approached needing to be changed.

 

[bkroupa]

The frustration of having all that power & being stuck in the wet grass is not worth the money you'll save IMHO

 

[RustyJC]

I had a "one-legged" (open differential) 1996 3500 dually and the current truck with the LSD. Believe me, you'll wish you had ordered it - if it's not too late, I'd change the order!



Heck, I've broken the rear end of our current truck loose at 45 MPH in 5th gear towing our 5ver in the rain! I'd hate to be in that same situation with an open differential! :{



Rusty

 

[zues]

Get the LSD it is well worth it. I tow my 5er to the lake and camp near the water and if I had an OPEN DIFF I would still be at the lake. That could be good and bad. It would be good as long as we have fresh water.

 

[gsbrockman]

I've had three CTD's and all were equipped with the anti-spin differential..... I'd personally never own one without it.

Greg

 

[PJereb]

GET IT! Change your order now…….



The anti-spin differential is not a limited slip. It is a torque biasing differential, Quaife has built these things for years, and it looks like AAM is either using a Quaife unit, or they have copied the design. Torque biasing differentials have no clutches to wear out, and should last as long as a standard open differential. DC is using the Quaife brand units in the SRT-4 and I believe they also use them in the Viper. I have heard chatter on the board of people having problems, but I really think it is caused from improper additives, as the torque biasing differential is not a LSD you should not add any LSD additives, or use gear oil with the additives already in it. In the owners manual it recommends "GL-5 SAE 75W-90 Synthetic. Limited-Slip AAM Rear Axles DO NOT REQUIRE a limited slip additive. ”



If you want to read up on Quaife go to http://www.quaifeamerica.com/







#ad

 

[MBigelow]

Order changed

Ok, you guys win I just talked to Pete and he changed the order while we were on the phone, whew Oo.



I guess another concern I had with LSD was my experience with posi-traction on souped up cars in the past.



In snow, ice and mud they had a tendency to plow ahead rather than turn.



And also, the rear end off the car would break loose while negotiating an inclined slippery curve.



Sounds like entirely different dynamics on these new LSD's



I know it's early, but after the order gets rolling, is there a way to track the progress of the truck?



Thanks for setting me straight.



Mel

 

[bkroupa]

The rear end can break loose if you apply too much throttle, like about the time the turbo gets happy in the middle of your hasty parking lot exit right after it started drizzling . I never realized how long my truck actually was until I did an Earnhardt leaving Walmart sideways across 3 lanes. It only happend once, a man has got to know his limitations . Seriously it's not bad, but you do need to be aware of how much power/traction you have.

 

[RustyJC]

Yep, even with a LSD/anti-spin/whatever, ya better have that sucker pointed the direction ya wanna go when the boost comes up! :--) :--)



Rusty

 

[JHardwick]

Mel,



You won't be dissapointed, these guys have set you in the right direction.



I sincerely have no clue what the purpose of an open rear end is?? I would imagine back when trucks were selling for $4,000 new off the lot, an open rear vs. LSD was like the difference between no AC vs. AC, AM vs. FM stereo, vinyl seat vs. cloth ... ... ... ... . these days LSD should be standard, IMO.



A truck that will never and I mean never see wet grass, snowy roads or wet pavement may benefit from some addition mileage on the rear tires ... ... ..... but who drives dry pavement only for 100,000 miles?

 

[gsbrockman]

The anti-spin differential is not a limited slip.

If you want to read up on Quaife go to http://www.quaifeamerica.com/







#ad

I apologize for my choice of words... ..... I was simply using what Dodge has used (Anti-Spin Differential) on the window stickers of their trucks for a minimum of 10 years that I know of for sure.

Greg

 

[XJSuperman]

I think most of the "problems" folks have been having is that they expect it to be a 'locking' differential. It is called an 'antispin' which is in fact a limited slip. It 'limits' how much the wheels will spin at different speeds BUT with enough load on one tire and not enough on the other (IE one on pavement the other on dirt) the unloaded tire will spin freely.

However with the same or similar loads on each tire it makes both tires spin the same.

This particular one has no clutches to wear out and does NOT require any additives at all.

 

[PJereb]

There are a ton of different brand names and choices in differentials, which can make things confusing, and identical designs can have multiple names. The only point I wanted to get across is that Dodge is offering a differential that is different than a LSD, it is better in many ways. IMHO what Dodge is offering now is a great solution for everyone except the hardcore 4-wheelers out there that would prefer a locker of some sort. Maybe the electric locker from the power wagon will become an option on the 4x4's some time in the future.

 

[WStoops]

When the boost comes up on a wet, even damp road, they'll spin for sure. with an open rear you won't beat a hyundai from a standing start if the road is wet. GET THE AS!!!!

 

[TFerrari]

Smart move changing your order. I would never own a truck exspecially a 4X4

with out LSD. I can't believe how many dealers order their trucks with out. I walked a away from several trucks that had eveything I wanted except the LSD- No sale- It just doesn't make any sense. Also the new LSD on the Dodge take a little getting use too. My buddy brought his to the dealer because he thought it was not working right. If you are stopped and have one wheel on pavement and one in gravel and get on it the one in the gravel will spin like crazy. If you are barely moving and do it you will hook up or spin both wheels. If you get into a hairy situation just keep her moving slightly and both rears will be locked up. It is a little nerve racking to know if you come to a stop the wheel with all the traction on the rear will no nothing. Hopefully in 4wd you will be fine. Actually the Dodges CTD performace in the snow if what got be to switch from Chev. Nothing is better towing big sled trailers in the mountains. It's not even close. The 6 speed is also a big help.

 

[klenger]

I assume the reason the dealers don't order them is if you can't physically see it, customers don't want to pay for it. Same probably goes for ordering 3500's instead of 2500's.

 

[03whiteram]

I have a 03 with a open diff and live in the northwest and yes I do get stuck in the grass. At times like these I miss my 98 12 valve with the limited slip. how much is it to convert over to the quaife diff. anyone know?

 

[Buffalo]

Don't let the gear lube issue stop you. The worst possible situation is that you buy the expensive Mopar lube, but then it's done correctly according to the warranty requirements. I agree completely with these guys regarding the LSD. I've had trucks without it and with. Would never have another truck without it! Well worth the money. Joe.