Limited slip differentials?

[Bill Lins]

All I can tell you is that mine works very well and I am very happy with it.

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Bill Lins Wharton, TX 98 2500 QC SLT,12 (the CORRECT # of)valves,NV4500,3. 54 LSD,Manik grille guard,Semi-Psychotty Air,Amsoil everywhere, Reading aluminum utility body and bumper,Optima yellow tops- silencer ring & muffler stolen.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Wonder how many folks in this group have limited slip differentials in their tow rigs - and if you are happy with their overall performance? My '91 doesn't have the LS, and I have had problems a few times when backing into uphill spaces with our fiver when one or both rear wheels are off in the dirt. Does the LS differential normally provided with these Dodges seem adequately effective in these types of situations, and are there downsides to there use that outweigh the advantages?

I ask because SOME LS differentials are NOT as effective as they should be, and some become rather noisy after they get a few miles on them - any opinions?

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Early '91 250, 727 AT, 307 rear... Banks Stinger exhaust, intercooler... US Gear OD... MORE than a match for every new PS Ford encountered so far...

 

[JohnB]

Mine also works fine.

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01 2500,SB, Club Cab, 5spd,3. 54 LS, Bright White, Camel Leather. 01 Sunnybrook 27' 5ver--All Stock

 

[BV]

Been very happy for all 15 years of towing with some kind of traction aid in the rear end. Have seen Dad dig holes in the driveway without it.

 

[C Schomer]

I've been a believer in LS for as long as they've been around! I've never experienced the bad things that some people report. They really help in the snow to keep one wheel from spinning. If they get noisy - use the additive! Craig

 

[Guest00]

what they said ^
The lsd's use friction clutches and dont " make noise ". Lockers make noise around corners as they use a ratchiting gears.

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2K, 2500,Laramie,Quad,4x4,3:54LSD,auto,reese 15k 5th slider, EISLEY BULL BAR,WESTIN NERFS, TA's,9000's, DD2's,PE-EZ & elbow, ISSPRO pyro & boost, Turbo Lifesaver, JARDINE 4", DTT VB,TC and COOLER, PAC BRAKE, MAG HYTECH TP& DC, onboard.
pullee #1 26' Arctic Fox 5th
#2 22' car hauler w/ 76 Pinto 392cid or 68 Cyclone GT Cobra Jet FB
NRA,VFW,SASS

[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 01-03-2001). ]

 

[paccool]

Gary, mine has a "UNITRAX" limited slip. Works good but had a problem last year with chatter when turning a corner. Was real noticeable in a parking lot at low speed. Finally figured out that the oil should be changed and when I opened it up there was lots of crud in the housing and on the magnet. Cleaned everything, used brake cleaner to flush the unit and refilled with Eaton Synthetic gear lube and a bottle of additive from Dodge. No more chatter but I do have a ring and pinion going out. Thats because the fluid was not changed often enough.
Sorry for getting off the subject, just wanted to make sure everyone knows to change that fluid!

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Stan
93 2WD extended cab, Banks Power Pack, K&N Air Filter, PW Injectors,Auto w/4. 10 rear with limited slip, US Gear Exhaust Brake, 31/2" Exhaust, 5K air bags, Boost/Pyro/Tach Gauges, Green/Silver, new 40-20-40 bucket seats, 149K

 

[rickhans]

Search under other topics for limited slip. Was a recent thread devoted to this with tips on how to make it behave and what type of fluid to use to prevent slipping.

I don't think mine is that great but have 4wd which always takes care of the situation when backing in mud or whatever.

 

[Matt S]

Is anyone running a locker as opposed to a limited slip? What are your impressions?

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90 W250, 5-speed, isspro gauges, 16 cm2, K&N, Borgeson shaft, JRE 3" exhaust

 

[BCFAST]

Have a locker in my spare race gearbox for the racecar... it makes both sides turn at the same rate, so when you corner and the outside wheel is turning farther than the inside wheel, the inside scrubs wearing out the tire. It also increases rolling resistance (very hard to push the car). LSD is the way to go,for sure!

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54 5spd, Green, #12 plate slid all the way forward, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

[David Muench]

I ordered mine with the LS so I could get the 4. 10 gears. I don't think I'll be overly happy with the LS, but hopefully it won't be too bad. It's got to be better than open though. I'm used to driving my Jeep with lockers, so my view may be skewed. . But that rear locker in particular has saved my butt more than a few times by preventing me from sliding on ice or snow in an unpredictable way. I may put a detroit in the Ram, but I'm not sure what a slide in camper plus trailer tounge weight plus 4 big rear tires would do to the axle if you made a tight turn under power on dry pavement. . Not sure what to do yet.

If you have an open diff and want to experiment with a locker, pick up a LockRight. Plenty strong, and you can install it easy yourself. Plus if you keep your old spider gears and hate it, you can pull it out and sell it.

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'97 Jeep TJ - Tons of stuff.
2001. 5 BR3500 Chassis Cab - soon to come.

 

[Iceman1]

The only time I dislike the LS rear is when on snow/icy roads that can cause the rear to kick out because of the way the LS works. The extra traction from the LS is nice when used for what it was intended. Those that have ever experienced the kickout/sliding action will know what I am talking about. Of course I never try over my abilities (SURE!!!) but have wished I had to 4x4 back at times. . The only ones that know of a slight error are of course I and the one who does the wash...

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1997 3500 SLT, Ext cab, 5spd, TST #11, GV Aux Trans, BD exhaust, Kelderman Air Ride, 60 Gallon fuel tank, Clifford Security, Reese 20k 4way 5th wheel hitch, Boost/EGT gauges, K&N air filter, Rancho RS9000 shocks, Brush Guard, DZee full length running boards.

 

[Turbo Thom]

I have LS but when I need anything more I kick in 4 wheel drive. It don't turn well but sure goes in a straight line.
Preston

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96 3500 Black 5 speed turbo diesel, SLT, with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , with other goodys on the way.

 

[paccool]

when you're out in front, who needs to turn? #ad
#ad


Stan

[This message has been edited by paccool (edited 01-03-2001). ]

 

[Lil' Dog]

I wouldn't do without the LSD. Like you said backing into stalls on slight grades, gravel etc, sure makes a difference.
I had to have mine rebuilt with new clutches, bearings, and gear set about 10000 miles ago. The new clutches sure made a difference in the lock up and the noise, alot smoother around corners. The Dana system works pretty well for what I want.

Also leaves nice marks on the pavement during aggressive driving LOL!!.

J-eh

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Jason Hoffman
Lil' Mack - 89 D250LE 5 Spd 3. 54 Reg Cab. K&N,"tweaked pump", BD Injectors, Banks Pyro/Boost, 3. 5" Exst tail section straight. E&M Custom seats. Bosch H4, PIAA 80W/80W HdLites. 100W Drv,55W Fogs. 237,500 miles (380,000 Kms) 7850 Hrs.
Cummins Power Booster member.
The Original Turbo Diesel

Lil' Mack Pics

 

[Matt S]

I got an e-mail reply from Powertrax on their new No-Slip locking differential. It will be ready for the Dana 70 around May. It looks like a do-it-yourself type of install and it says it isn't ratchety like the Detroit Locker.

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90 W250, 5-speed, isspro gauges, 16 cm2, K&N, Borgeson shaft, JRE 3" exhaust

 

[David Muench]

The no-slip is very similar to a lockright. Should be just as easy to install.

 

[Okie-Go]

I am off the main road quite a bit and couldn't imagine a truck without the anti-slip. My 98 auto had it and now the 2001 has it. It has saved a wrecker fee more than once. Just a thought, you may want to try a pair of rear tires with a little rougher tread than what you have.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red, trailer tow package,camper special, anti spin 3. 54 axle, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[HC]

But that rear locker in particular has saved my butt more than a few times by preventing me from sliding on ice or snow in an unpredictable way...

David,
Please explain - most people say lockers make the rear MORE unpredictible on ice and snow because both wheels spin together, thus fishtailing more easily. You seem to feel the opposite. I'm not saying you're wrong, I really want to get your opinion on this, because my experience so far is somewhere in between. Haven't had the chance to drive on much snow yet, but, we had a major ice storm. On sheer ice, I couldn't tell much difference, locked or unlocked. Either way, both rear wheels spun and sideslipped at the first touch of throttle, and 4WD was still important to have if you wanted to move at all...
With one wheel on good pavement, the locker of course makes all the difference in the world, just as expected. I mention that just so everyone will know, yes, my locker is engaging and disengaging when I think it is.



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2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, K&N RE-880 w/foam pre-cleaner, ARE Z-series Cab-high shell, Rear ARB locker, and all kinds of synthetic fluids...

 

[David Muench]

Originally posted by HC:
Please explain - most people say lockers make the rear MORE unpredictible on ice and snow because both wheels spin together, thus fishtailing more easily. You seem to feel the opposite. I'm not saying you're wrong, I really want to get your opinion on this, because my experience so far is somewhere in between. Haven't had the chance to drive on much snow yet, but, we had a major ice storm. On sheer ice, I couldn't tell much difference, locked or unlocked. Either way, both rear wheels spun and sideslipped at the first touch of throttle, and 4WD was still important to have if you wanted to move at all...
With one wheel on good pavement, the locker of course makes all the difference in the world, just as expected. I mention that just so everyone will know, yes, my locker is engaging and disengaging when I think it is.

I know most people say that, and I worried about that before I put lockers in my Jeep. But don't believe it. If you're a good driver, it does help. With an open diff, either of the rear tires may take off at high rpm's without notice when it gets on ice. Not very predictable. With the locker, both are of course locked together to the driveshaft, and I find it all very predictible. I find it keeps me straighter on the snow covered highways and ice (as straight as one can be at high speeds in snow with 15. 5" wide tires), because you don't have one go whipping off, then catch the pavement, then whip you around. Slowing down is good too - under compression braking your wheels are locked and you slow down nice and straight. Compression braking on slippery stuff with an open diff is a black art. #ad


My girlfriend had the same concerns before we put a lockright in her Jeep last spring. She now refers to it as "her favorite mod" and her '95 YJ has 140,000 miles on it so far. Pre locker, she'd spun out a few times trying to slow down on ice. Once she even went down a large hill backwards, hit a mailbox, and ended up landing backwards in a 2' deep ditch. Blew out the rear tires, bent the rims, and didn't do the springs any good. Post locker, she's had to make a few emergency stops on ice and snow and the locker holds her straight.

Just don't try a full time locker in the front in a 4x4 at high speeds in snow (I have an ARB up front for that reason). . That's asking for disaster.


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'97 Jeep TJ - Tons of stuff.
2001. 5 BR3500 Chassis Cab - soon to come.