No limited slip diff?? Big mistake?

[MMead]

I just ordered my new 04. 5 4x4 3500, but I did not order the limited slip differential because I was told that could add at least a month to my delivery time. I really wish I had one because I'm afraid I'll be spinning one tire at redlights every time it rains etc. I figured I could always add one later but that might be much more expensive. Have I made a big mistake or is the limited slip not very effective any way? Are there aftermarket limited slips just as effective that are reasonably priced?

 

[SSage]

I can't live without the LS. I would not be able to pull my trailer up my hill even in 4x4! Tried it. In Atlanta traffic I break my duals loose trying to pull out sometimes using all that 555 pounds. I have an open diff work (company) truck, its been stuck three times this year on gravel roads that my LS dually has no problem with. I hate it when that open truck spins on wet roads. At some up hill red lights you can't help it when empty.



I only purchase trucks with LS. Its much cheaper to get it now if you want it.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

There are no aftermarket limited slips yet for the American Axle. Detroit locker said "soon" at the SEMA show last November, but that could be a while. The factory unit has been criticized by some on this forum as not aggressive enough.



I chose open diffs on my 97 and my 04. In snow on a mountain trail, if both rear wheels spin, you can slide sideways on a side slope. Bad news. I have not had any situations where limited would have been a big benefit. In the rain, I just moderate the right foot, because a limited doesn't help so much in my opinion.



Some will disagree. . . and a lot depends on what you do with the truck, I guess.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

YUP - depends on how you use your truck - I use mine towing a lot, don't need the LS function MUCH, but when I do, I *really* do!



Doesn't take many assistance calls for a tow truck, or the walk to get one, to offset the expense of having it back there in the pumpkin!

 

[buddys06]

After about 40,000 miles my ls quite working on my 02, although it was great having it when new. I agree that on slick or frozen surfaces it would tend to go sideways real quick, so i didnt get it this time and i dont regret it

 

[MartinBlair]

I just put a brand new torque multiplier style posi unit in my 2004 American axle for $600 installed. . Call 916-635-9665

 

[J&LRam]

Be it ice, rain, snow , mud , sand, green grass, polished boat ramps, side slopes, pea gravel , I'll take the factory locker any time, especialy with a front heavy diesel... ... ... . JIM

 

[24Vpirate]

Originally posted by Bowron

After about 40,000 miles my ls quite working on my 02, although it was great having it when new. I agree that on slick or frozen surfaces it would tend to go sideways real quick, so i didnt get it this time and i dont regret it

call me i will tell you how to make that thing work better then you would ever think 916-852-7109

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

24V PIRATE,

Give us a hint ! It's killing me... ... ... .....

Mark T.

 

[dpatt67]

You might be able to still add it if you act quickly. I have added an option or two after the initial order was placed.

 

[DE Jeeper]

I would just get an aftermarket one when they come out. I am going to swich mine when they become available. the factory one just sucks. I was at a friends house last night with the passengers side tire on the grass and I could not get the ls to engage. I was just spinning the tire. Just my $. 02.

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"24V PIRATE,

Give us a hint ! It's killing me... ... ... .....

Mark T. "



It's called rearranging the clutch plates...



OR, welding up the spiders...

 

[PJereb]

The factory "anti spin" is not a limited slip.

The factory option "anti spin differential" is a torque biasing diffrential. It does not have clutches like a limited slip.



They should do well on snow and ice, but they do have their flaws. An example would be if you were 4wheeling and had one wheel compleatly off the ground, the torque biasing diff will be of no help.



I pulled a picture and a quote from Quaife America, they are the major manufactuer of torque biasing differentials.



"The Quaife Differential powers both drive wheels under nearly all conditions, instead of just one. With an ordinary open differential, standard on most cars, a lot of precious power is wasted during wheelspin under acceleration. This happens because the open differential shifts power to the wheel with less grip (along the path of least resistance). The Quaife, however, does just the opposite. It senses which wheel has the better grip, and biases the power to that wheel. It does this smoothly and constantly, and without ever completely removing power from the other wheel.



In drag-race style, straight-line acceleration runs, this results in a close to ideal 50/50 power split to both drive wheels, resulting in essentially twice the grip of an ordinary differential (they don't call open diffs "peglegs" for nothing).



In cornering, while accelerating out of a turn, the Quaife biases power to the outside wheel, reducing inside-wheel spin. This allows the driver to begin accelerating earlier, exiting the corner at a higher speed.



The Quaife also controls loss of traction when the front wheels are on slippery surfaces such as ice and snow or mud, providing the appropriate biased traction needed to overcome these adverse conditions. The Quaife Differential provides constant and infinitely variable drive. Power is transferred automatically without the use of normal friction pads or plates seen in other limited-slip designs.



The Quaife's unique design offers maximum traction, improves handling and steering, and puts the power where it is needed most. A definite advantage whether on the track or on the street.



The Quaife is extremely strong and durable and since the Quaife is gear operated, it has no plates or clutches that can wear out and need costly replacement.



The Quaife is great for street driving or racing. Racers don't have to put up with locking mechanisms or spools that created unwanted understeer under power, or in the case of front-drive cars, even tear the steering wheel out of their hands when cornering. Because it behaves like an open differential during ordinary driving, street drivers will have trouble telling it's there until pushing the car's limits.



The Quaife has been proven in everything from SCCA Rally to Formula 1. It provides autocrossers with such an advantage, it has become "required" equipment for a winning effort.



More and more auto manufacturers are specifying the Quaife ATB Differential as original equipment in their high performance models - for good reason - it works"













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"Did you know that the awesome, new 2004 Dodge SRT-4 features a QUAIFE ATB Differential as standard equipment ? This year's model has more power (230hp/250lbft) and lots more grip to go with it thanks to our ATB differential!"

 

[100 Proof]

Originally posted by Joseph Donnelly

The factory unit has been criticized by some on this forum as not aggressive enough.

Mine is way aggresive.



100 Proof