What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

front axel traction control for snow and ice - or leave open

Mikey von

Mikey von

1/2 ton status
Joined
Dec 21, 2005
Posts
1,546
Reaction score
5
Location
Burney, CA
My 3/4 ton burb has a 10 bolt front. What kind of traction device should I go with for use in snow and ice?

I also wheel mud and forest service roads. My wife will drive it with the kid (soon to be kids in April) in the winter when it is snowing. I wheel, but not hard core. I figure I do not need it for the wheeling I do, but I do have a steep gravel driveway that will see snow and ice that I am concerned about. I have 35" MTR's.

Lunchbox locker, limited slip, air or electric activated, or leave it open? Money is a concern, but it is available.
 
Lockers on ice suck especially in the front. Leave it open or a LS unless you need locker traction and then I would do a selectable for ice duty. When I was driving my K5 (welded R/ Locked F) I would never use 4x4 on the snow/ice because the locked front would have not been fun. With the welded rear though I really never needed 4x4 unless the snow was really deep and the snow isn't the problem with a front locker, its the ice that will get ya.

Harley
 
The Electrac is sweet. Best of all worlds, Locked, Posi, or open at the lick of a switch.

My truck came with one, otherwise I probably wouldn't invest that kind of money into the D44. Sounds like the 44 is for you so the investment might make sense.

I'd definitely stay away from a locker. And personally I would be nervous with even a posi if the lady and kids are in the truck.
 
for driveing on street with ice/snow I prefer open diffs. I got a big long story about my 85 olds cutlass, but Ill leave it to your imagination with the keywords 500hp, 3500rpm stall converter, spool, and winter roads.

Balzer
 
For ice and snow......two open diffs are the most stable way to go.

Selectable lockers effectively give you that effect, and allow you to wheel like a rockstar everywhere else.

I've driven a rear Detroit in the snow and didn't like how it behaved. Switching it into 4HI with an open front diff helped keep it straighter on the road, but I didn't like how much attention it required while driving.


FWIW



:usaflag:
 
My choices for a selectable locker are ARB (air) and the Electrac, which is auburn correct?

Well looking at prices, it seems that selectables may be over what I want to spend, at least right now. I still would like to eventually get a selectable locker in the front at some point.

I think I may leave the front open for now and go with a lockrite in the rear. My burb is a 6.2L (you really have to try to get it to go, even then it is not a powerhouse) and my wife definately knows not to get into the skinny pedal on ice and snow.

thanks for the comments.
 
For snow i'd run an open front or limited slip. My 85 had factory gov-loc and was real predictable on ice/ snow. However i tried my 97 Chev which is a summer vehicle and it has a No-slip in it and it took some gettin used to on snow, but hey it kept it entertainin
 
Definately a selectable locker. I've found that as long as you're not 'stuck', open diffs and a 203 unlocked is perfect. You get 4 wheel drive with no transmission wind up which breaks traction. But if you're in deep stuff or stuck, you'll need a locker.
 
As you've seen, selectable lockers are pricey. Something I've considered in the past is getting a gov-lock from a rear 10-bolt and installing it up front. If you can set up your own gears it's a really cost-effective option. Safe for snow, but will still lock up on obstacles once you spin a tire. No cable, wire or air compressor required.

Of course some people hate them and claim they always blow up. Everyone has their own opinion on that, but the bright side is that they can be had for cheap or free.
 
I've got a Zexel Torsen torque-biasing diff in the rear of my S-Jimmy. It worked awesome in the snow and ice when I lived in Colorado. It has never been unruly, or chirped a tire on corners. It just puts the power where it's needed with no fanfare.
 
I have a lockright in the rear 14bff, open in front D60. Locker can get a bit exciting on ice and is exacerbated by the manual transmission.
 
Pretty sure I will run with the lockrite in the rear and open up front. Lets just hope the ice isn't too much fun.

thanks for the comments.
 
Mikey von said:
Pretty sure I will run with the lockrite in the rear and open up front. Lets just hope the ice isn't too much fun.

thanks for the comments.
Click to expand...

It was said earlier, but I prefer open on snow too. Preferably in 2WD unless stuck. I'd go with selectables and only use them for getting unstuck. I just have more control in 2WD / open diffs.

My $.02
 
I have driven rear locked trucks in the snow plenty (my wife is a different story). I am not concerned with the rear (only concern for the wife). I will keep the front open.

I definately need something in the rear as my wheeling conditions call for it. I hate spinning 1 tire and want to be locked in the rear. Most of the snow I see is not on the road but on forest service trails. I am going to go with the lockrite for now and when I get rich :D I will change up to a selectable.

thanks again.

ohh yeah - she better learn how to drive it with a locker, cause if she dents it!!!
jk - I had her practice slides last year and we will practice with the locker this year. She has a blast losing control on purpose.
 
Mikey von said:
I have driven rear locked trucks in the snow plenty (my wife is a different story). I am not concerned with the rear (only concern for the wife). I will keep the front open.

I definately need something in the rear as my wheeling conditions call for it. I hate spinning 1 tire and want to be locked in the rear. Most of the snow I see is not on the road but on forest service trails. I am going to go with the lockrite for now and when I get rich :D I will change up to a selectable.

thanks again.
Click to expand...

Ah... gotcha. I was thinking street. Good luck.
 
jonrpick said:
Ah... gotcha. I was thinking street. Good luck.
Click to expand...

I try and stay off the streets during storms. Way too many asshat drivers that have no clue and drive much too fast. Lucky I can get most places on foot or dirt.
 
If you want a good mannered strong 10B lunchbox locker for street and trail get a Powertrax No Slip. I switched from a lockrite to a No Slip. The No Slip is a much better, smoother, and quieter locker with much better street manners than a lockrite. Its almost like driving with a Gov Lock. They cost more but are worth it IMO.
Check Ebay. New ones come up there quite often for aprox 1/2 price. I got mine new on Ebay for $300
A no slip in the back and an open front should work good for you.
 
Thunder - are no-slips easy to install like the lockrites? If I had to have a shop install one, what is the cost?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom