Need clarification on 05 4wd system

[salty]

I read somewhere in my searches that the 4wd is really only a 3wd on these trucks. Something about the left front wheel never getting power???



I have a deposit on an 05 6 speed, but this scares me as I use 4wd heavily. What about this 6 speed? Is it durable with good clutch life? I have 500k on my 95 and it's been awesome. I don't want to be disappointed.



Thanks in advance.

 

[MRFost]

Hmmm. . I have an '05 and haven't had to get a wrecker to get me unstuck yet.

Front axle is open of course. Rear axle is that geared limited slip (can't spell it) that biases power but not particularly well. I prefer the Dana-80 in the back but the 11. 5" works fine. The left front gets power as long as the right front has some traction -- just like every other open axle. Yeah, it's kinda 3WD, but so is every other 4x4 that has an open axle. YOu want true 4WD -- get a Power Wagon or a Wrangler Rubicon with lockers... both are gassers... it's a shame. The 4WD on an '05 will get you unstuck... so long as you got stuck while in 2WD. You get stuck while you're in 4WD and you're probably hosed.

 

[Grizzly]

An early 05 has an NV5600, 6 speed and in about mid year they went with an aluminum G56. If reverse is to the right and up, it's an NV5600, which is a very heavy (400 lbs) cast iron bullet proof 6 speed. If reverse is to the left and down, it's G56, which is made by Mercedes and has the double mass fly wheel. I believe most people prefer the G56 because it's a smoother shifting trans. I have and prefer the NV5600 because I believe it's better for heavy towing.

 

[seafish]

I like how my 2005 with the G56 and LSD drives down the highway AND gets around in light mud or snow on my Toyo ATs. My feeling is that the 2005 4x4 with good driving techniques can get through alot of different road and offroad conditions. If I was in deep mud alot, I would definitely buy some type of positive locker diff front and rear. Also, when I end up changing the oem clutch, I do expect to replace the dual mass flywheel with a standard version and an upgraded clutch assembly that might hold a little power when towing. Some people are having problems with the DMF's, so I think it is wise to change it and put up with a little more noise and get more reliability and holding power.

 

[JRMora]

117k on my original clutch with no slippage. No other work on mine except the llift pump (which was replaced with an in-tank pump) and I just did the u-joints. One was beginning to stick.



I also got 115k from my original brake pads and still have my original batteries and shocks.



Juan