LS Differential in 2011 Ram 2500

[lmabey]

From what I'm understanding from the other threads I've read the LSD I have in my 2011 Ram is a Torsen or truetrac type differential with no clutch packs to wear out. So
there is no real need to upgrade to anything else but try the brake trick next time the snow gets the best of me.

Thanks

 

[DonFitzwater]

Yep. It’s not a limited slip but is instead called an “anti-spin” diff. They are a joke in ice or snow in my opinion. My 95 with a LS Dana will go places my 2016 can’t dream about.

 

[kthaxton]

It’s not a limited slip but is instead called an “anti-spin” diff.

They are the same thing, "anti-spin" is just what Ram (and likely others) call them.

 

[Killer223]

i know the GM guys with the G80 "locker" upgrade to the one the dodge comes with when the G80 gives up the ghost.

 

[Tuesdak]

The G80 code you are thinking of is a gov-lock. (GM's G80 option code can be any traction device.) If the Gov Lock survives the 100 RPM+ speed difference "BOOM!" lock up it is 100% lock up aka a locker. The Gov Lock when locked up will move you with the other wheel in the air. The Gov Lock is designed to stay out of the way unless you need it so you don't spin out at freeway speed on ice. The 1/2 ton units are krap. The 3/4 ton+ were better but people still break them and or wear out till they simply don't lock up.

Limited Slip needs some traction on both wheels. Limited slip is a percent of torque transfer so anything times ZERO is ZERO. The aftermarket Eaton Limited slip has a much higher bias than the Dodge/RAM/OEM limited slip. If the gov lock gives up frankly it's a downgrade to the OEM Dodge limited slip. Your better options are: the aftermarket Eaton torsen with the higher bias for limited slip, selectable air/electric locker and Detroit locker including recent re-designs of it like the Yukon Grizzly locker. LSD with wearing clutch packs are for track days... All traction devices have downsides from Detroit lockers locking up on ice when you don't want them too and having the rear end "step out" being very dangerous on ice, clunking and banging, broken: not locking up when you need them, LSD not enough traction to get bias, selectable frozen air lines... the Gov Lock is an attempt at the highest traction via a locker with minimal downsides. It's reliability and harsh lock up is the biggest downside. So the OEM traction devices are as safe as possible in trade off for traction.

If you really need traction the brake trick isn't going to get you much with the OEM low bias settings. Consider the downsides and when and where you need the traction to install something better. After you upgrade you may not even need 4x4 in most situations. With snow and ice a manual selectable type locker (or Gov Lock) is the safest unless you know how to handle auto lockers.

 

[lmabey]

So if i wanted to upgrade for traction for those times in sand or snow it seems like the better upgrade would be some kind of selectable locker on the front Diff, whether an ARB or some type of electrical or mechanical locker, and leave the rear as it is. Had both rears spinning tonight in the snow here so I know they are locking up but no traction is still no traction.

 

[kthaxton]

Heck, if it were me....I'd buy tire chains before I put a locker in the front for occasionally getting stuck in the snow.
In my experience living in the mountains for 19 years, if I was stuck bad enough while in 4wd that I am going nowhere.....it is doubtful that one more tire receiving torque is going to make a difference......and I certainly wouldn't use a front locker for stuck prevention in the snow. I'd just put chains on prior to getting into those conditions.

 

[Tuesdak]

So if i wanted to upgrade for traction for those times in sand or snow it seems like the better upgrade would be some kind of selectable locker on the front Diff, whether an ARB or some type of electrical or mechanical locker, and leave the rear as it is. Had both rears spinning tonight in the snow here so I know they are locking up but no traction is still no traction.

I agree with kthaxton on chains. Sounds like you need all the traction aids you can get. What kind of tires you running? Tire selection can reduce the need for chains. Sand again tires...

 

[lmabey]

Now you guys are making way too much sense with the chains, and we can't have that especially if the wife hears, I have to agree though. Now I think about it in that way a locker would just insure they all spin but no real additional traction. I'm fine on the roads, but when I get in the hills hunting in the snow where I shouldn't really be with a truck this size and heavy i doi have to be careful.



I run
Michelin XDS2 so by far not the worst tires, they have good lugs and lots of siping. I do have chains, just try to avoid them, but I use to chain up all fours or at least two on my half ton during hunting season - fairly quick to do when your not stuck.




Thanks Guys

 

[Newsa]

Does the AAM anti-spin work better at (slightly) higher speed? Does it only fail to send power to the (other wheel) when the (other wheel) is not moving at all???

Or is speed not a factor? Seems like the brake trick should only be used if not moving?

 

[kthaxton]

Does the AAM anti-spin work better at (slightly) higher speed? Does it only fail to send power to the (other wheel) when the (other wheel) is not moving at all???

Or is speed not a factor?

Heck, I have no idea how their performance is affected by speed. If you are going fast, you really are not in need of a traction aid.

Seems like the brake trick should only be used if not moving?

If you are moving you have no reason to do the brake trick.

 

[Newsa]

Years (about 17) ago when driving from central Illinois up through northern Indiana and Michigan to lake Huron (Canadian side) during the holidays, we went from pretty good traction snowy roads to suddenly snow covered Ice for several miles. We noticed people in front of us trying unsuccessfully to stop. Many just slammed into whoecer was in front od them. And we almost did roo. My Isuzu amigo had stick shift and 4x4 and I was able to get us slowed & stopped and not off the road by skillful clutch use ....since my antilock brakes were effectively useless. I think the saving grace was my limited slip differential, 4x4 and good all terrain tires.

I had never seen so many semi' s stiuck off the road before in my life. But now that I know that their tires are hard rubber and don't grip as well as softer rubbers, I know more about what I was seeing there.

I was just wondering about these AAM axles. I plan to be very cautious and not get caught in a near accident again. But knowing how they behave on all traction surfaces could let me know all my parameters in advance.

 

[kthaxton]

Years (about 17) ago when driving from central Illinois up through northern Indiana and Michigan to lake Huron (Canadian side) during the holidays, we went from pretty good traction snowy roads to suddenly snow covered Ice for several miles. We noticed people in front of us trying unsuccessfully to stop. Many just slammed into whoecer was in front od them. And we almost did roo. My Isuzu amigo had stick shift and 4x4 and I was able to get us slowed & stopped and not off the road by skillful clutch use ....since my antilock brakes were effectively useless. I think the saving grace was my limited slip differential, 4x4 and good all terrain tires.

The credit for effective "slowing and stopping" goes to your tires and your brakes, not your LS....and only a very small part to 4x4.

 

[jhenderson]

And not to the AT tread. Street tires, by their smooth tread and narrow grooves offer better traction on ice by virtue of greater contact patch.

 

[kthaxton]

I beg to differ, AT treads are typically great in the snow, small to medium sipes are what you need in the snow and ice and that is what a typical AT has.

 

[jhenderson]

I always had better luck on the lake with summer rubber. Your experience is obviously much different than mine.

 

[Newsa]

I think my steering to try to find the rougher parts of the ice not in the normal tire path helped.

 

[Newsa]

These particular AT tires were especially good even on pure ice. Coming back through the smoky mountain national park on the steep roads if 10-15$ grades, I never used the brakes except once or twice. The wheels seemed to stick and I was convinced the 4x4 and LS diff were working well with my tires. I think you can only experience the advantage of the LS and manual transmission if you have real good tires. Use of the brakes would always have me going sideways.

 

[kthaxton]

Again, a limited slip will help you go, not help you slow down. In fact in some circumstances, they can make things worse when it gets slick.