You can activate the differential electronically and shift it on the fly within the differential operating speed range. Which I answered and gave my experience with. A locking differential lets the wheels turn at different speeds most of the time, but when its locking function is activated, the wheels both turn at the same speed. Whether it be snow, sand, mud, ice, etc… the LOCK-RIGHT will give you the traction you need. Remember when fitting aftermarket rims with bigger tires your main concern should be the wheel offset and the tire width, since diameter doesn’t affect the fitment. When the differential locks, an equal amount of force is transferred between both tires. Compared with a standard or open differential, a locking differential (also known as a diff lock, locker, or differential lock) improves traction. Do you get the idea? but following me around on a forum is a new level of weird. The following question will soon be academic with traction control becoming more and more commonplace, but: How much would a locking differential help a 2wd vehicle that’s stuck in the mud or snow? Open diffs tend to send the power to the wheel that is slipping, so one wheel spins, and you go nowhere. This gives you improved handling and traction. Just lock the rear diff, mash the accelerator and keep the wheels spinning to get through exceptionally snowy road sections. You also risk damaging the off-road track and making the conditions worse for the vehicle coming through after you. This is the simplest and least sophisticated mechanical system possible. A locking differential is designed to overcome the chief limitation of a standard open differential by essentially "locking" both wheels on an axle together as if on a common shaft. A center diff locker (4H mode) makes for easier, safer and more controlled driving in sand, mud, gravel, snow. Also, could not pull a mini van up a complex road as my tires were slipping on the wet snow even in 4x4 low mode. In this situation, you also want to avoid getting bogged down before you call on your locker to rescue you. The LSD works by allowing a small amount of wheel spin and then automatically engages the LSD (Limited Slip Diff) eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'4wheeldriveguide_com-large-leaderboard-2','ezslot_11',118,'0','0'])); LSD works by limiting the independence between right and left axles. It is not recommended to drive the vehicle with the differentials locked on pavement due to … The electronic locking differential can provide additional traction should your vehicle become stuck. The locking of the rear differential should only be engaged during low-speed, extreme off-road situations where one wheel is likely to not be in contact with the ground. Also, when driving uphill on an uneven surface you will definitely want to engage your rear differential locker rather than attempt the track with an open diff. This means the site earns advertising fees through Amazon. It also hinders the vehicles capability in certain off-road conditions. When To Use Rear Diff Lock A vehicle without a rear locking differential could possibly still overcome a difficult obstacle, it just means you will need to use more momentum to get your axles over the obstacle. Once you are moving, the locking diff becomes dangerous, when cornering, it will try to spin both wheels at the same rate. Just 1 , you do have the option of 373 or 430 gears with the 6.2 gas engine . This option turns your axle into a solid-state shaft, by locking the differential. Use your locking differential when you want to go off road, for driving on difficult terrain, such as dirt, gravel, mud or snow. I'd assume yes. Here we strive to provide the most accurate, up-to-date, information about the functionality, common faults and latest technology built into most 4 Wheel Drives. The locking of the rear differential should only be engaged during low-speed, extreme off-road situations where one wheel is likely to not be in contact with the ground. Locking Differential Cons The biggest setback to locking differentials is the high level of wear and tear that your tire treads will experience. I've read so much online at this point I'm upside down. Automatic locking diff is also known as an LSD or Limited Slip Diff. It’s not automatic, you have to engage and disengage. So you really want to get in and out of deep water as quickly as possible. This is accomplished by locking the differential to distribute power and torque evenly to both sides of the diff. Traction Control (TC) functions similarly to a differential locker accept it activates automatically once the vehicle senses the loss of traction. You would be able to get out of this situation if you had a locking diff since you could lock the diffs and send power to both wheels at the same time. How does the electronic locking rear differential work when, Mine has always been good to me, it only works when you’re driving below 20 mph though. To find out, read further…. ! And to answer the OP's question, a rear-locking diff is better than four wheel drive (4WD) for the reason explained above because some 4WDs have two open diffs. With a rear differential locker engaged, you have improved control of the vehicle and less momentum is required since both rear wheels are locked as if it where one axle turning at the same speed irrespective if there is traction on either of them or not. You must log in or register to reply here. Once any of the wheels become airborne, or you find yourself in a cross-axle situation, which often happens off-road, the torque will always be transferred to the wheel with the least resistance, resulting in a temporary immobile 4×4. It is important to lock them in order of center, rear, and then front to make sure you don’t damage your drivetrain. Just curious, NYH1. Getting stuck in deep water, you risk all sorts of expensive electrical damage. Now here is a twist to the locking differential story: When Chevy advertises its trucks with an optional rear locking differential - it indeed is a differential that locks up (automatically). And to answer the OP's question, a rear-locking diff is better than four wheel drive (4WD) for the reason explained above because some 4WDs have two open diffs. Once you manually engage the 4H mode then you close the center differential and power is split evenly across the 2 driveshafts. Not all 4×4 vehicles are equipped with a rear diff locker which means you will have to adjust your driving style to compensate for the lack thereof. The most common Limited Slip Diff technology is clutch-pack based or pre-load spring based. eval(ez_write_tag([[728,90],'4wheeldriveguide_com-medrectangle-3','ezslot_3',131,'0','0']));If you would like to know more about how a locking differential works and when it is appropriate to use, continue reading…. If nothing more, if the cost is … It is very important to note that locking differentials are only designed to be engaged under very extreme conditions. You will have near perfect control of the vehicle. Plus enabling only when the vehicle is stopped. Differentials work by transferring the resistance to the least resistance tire. It is not recommended to drive the vehicle with the differentials locked on pavement due to … I had a limited slip in my old F350 diesel and the e-locker on my 17 F250 is night and day different, for the better. Those driving conditions would be a perfect time to engage 4H, splitting the power between the front and rear driveshafts. Same can be said about the front and rear differentials. The program allows this site to link and advertise with Amazon.com. The purpose of differentials is to allow the wheels of the vehicle to rotate at varying speeds. Does it work like an open differential where one wheel gets all the power? I could get around in our unusually deep snow today but got stuck in 2.5 feet of virgin snow on a colasack. When we refer traffic and it results in business sales as a result of it, we are compensated by these companies. You would be able to get out of this situation if you had a locking diff since you could lock the diffs and send power to both wheels at the same time. As the treads continue to get worn out, it will become more difficult to steer because the treads won’t be able to grip the road properly. It works well because a computer controls the the transfer clutch and applies brakes on spinning wheels. eval(ez_write_tag([[336,280],'4wheeldriveguide_com-banner-1','ezslot_5',117,'0','0'])); Lock the center diff when the surface you are driving on gets slippery, like gravel roads or when there is ice or snow on the tarmac. . Then rear differential lockers are engaged when you want to overcome an off-road obstacle slowly without any damage. But what is a locking differential used for and when does one engage the locker? (N70 FITMENT GUIDE). Differential lockers are used to overcome a limitation of an open differential in off-road conditions by locking the center, front or rear differential to distribute power and torque evenly to both sides of the diff. Although smoother than other competitive locking differentials, the brute force characteristics of the POWERTRAX LOCK-RIGHT Locker limit general application in less tolerant and more mainstream applications. Most vehicles allow you to switch this function off as it can hinder the forward progression quite a bit, especially in sand. I would go for a solenoid operated by a momentary switch you have to hold down. Exactly the same concept applies to the relative rotation of the front axle to the rear, and that’s called a “centre differential”. It is also important to remember to unlock them once you get out of your jam because it is only meant for speeds below 10 miles per hour to get out of mud or snow. Get a 4x4, chain control is the biggest reason I feel in your area. 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