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| I'm afraid I don't have much knowledge about vehicles, but here goes: I've been following (lurking) the info on how to pick a tow vehicle. It appears that 4 wheel drive is the way to go. Sounds good to me. I'm somewhat familiar with what types of differentials there are. However, I'm wondering what sort of differential to get with such a vehicle, or is there a choice at all when you purchase 4 wheel drive truck or SUV. Seems to me that locking differential would be the way to go. Your comments and input will be much appreciated. Thanks |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | Superbraid,
I think it mostly depends on your needs. My SUV doesn't have it, I don't need it. I got 33" BFG's All-Terrains and have never been stuck. My front wheel drive car has it and it is much needed. Traction control has come a long way since the days of the Detroit Lockers. Those type lockers worked when you needed them and they worked when you didn't. lol A lot of todays locking difs are automatic in that they rely on sensors to detect slippage. They engage 100% at that point and then completely disengage when you don't. Some luxery vechicles come standard with it and others are optional. The best aftermarket locker is ARB. This Australian made locker requires an onboard compressor and costs about 800 bucks. It locks up solid when you need it and unlocks fully when you don't. Croc Hunter uses it. I used to need all that stuff when I played in the mudd. I just got tired of snapping axles and busting pinions.
Due to all the recent snow here, I just purchased a new vehicle. The guy at the dealership told me it would go just about anywhere. I got to go finish plowing my driveway now......................RAZE
Edited by RAZE1 2/23/2003 11:34 AM
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 Bombardiar BR 1000.jpg (194KB - 130 downloads)
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Posts: 5874
| I've had three trucks so far. The first was a 2-wheel drive, mid 70's Ford. It had a limited slip rear diff. That thing would go through some stuff, but when it got stuck, it was really stuck.
My next was a '83 Ford F150 4X4, and now I have a '97 Ford F150 4X4. I did not get the limited slip rear differential on either. Here is my reasoning. I drive 2WD most of the time. If I ever get stuck in 2WD, I am confident that I can get out in 4WD. If I had limited slip, it is possible that I could get farther in before getting stuck, so far that 4WD may not get me out.
I've launched the boat on some pretty poor ramps over the years, and I've never had a problem with either of my last 2 trucks.
Hope this helps.
Raze, I miss my 33X12.5X15 TA's! Best tire I ever ran.
Edited by Shep 2/23/2003 11:30 AM
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Posts: 941
Location: Freedom, WI | I have never owned a 4WD always had a limited slip axle. There where times front wheel pull would have been nice (next truck will be 4WD). Still will have the limited slip though. Do not buy the locker dif., go with the limited slip it is better for the street.
Roger |
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Posts: 229
Location: Willoughby, Ohio | It's kind of hard to beat a diesel pickup for towing. My F-250 will probably tow the Queen Mary if I asked it. The nice thing is that dragging a boat around doesn't eat up any more fuel than normal. I get about 18 mpg on the highway. Real trucks don't have spark plugs! |
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| Raze: Now that's what I call a snow plow!!! |
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Posts: 736
Location: Hartford, WI | Raze your plowing your driveway with a trail groomer........
Jim |
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Posts: 938
Location: NeverNever Lake | I spent more midnight hours in that machine than I care to remember. That's the same Bombardiar that took over OMC. They are a super company.In fact,they dominate the grooming machines in the US and Canada and nearly put the German built "Piston Bulley" out of business. Track control consists of 2 tiny sticks on the armrest that fit in the palm of your hand. Track speed is a small rheostat on the consol. And the 12 way blade is controlled by a single wobble stick with a button on top and 1 in the front. The power plant is a 350hp Cummalong. It has a 4 channel Alpine stereo cd player and girls just loved to go for rides in it. I made sure I scared the bajeepers out of them, LOL........................
If I only had a TRAIN |
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Posts: 373
Location: Huber Heights, Ohio | The only way to go is some type of Limited Slip differential. Even with a 4 wheel drive if you don't have a Limited Slip differential you only really have one drive wheel per axle. As with all "open" differentials the wheel that loses traction is the one that spins and the wheel with traction does nothing. If you buy a truck without some type of limited slip differential you will never get the true potential out of that truck when you run into a traction problem. This applies to a wet boat ramp or a snow or ice covered road. Everyone has seen the guy at the boat ramp that is smoking the tires on his tow vehicle and if you look you will see only one of those tires spinning, which means he has an "open" differential. |
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