While playing a bit on a gravel road today, I noticed that 80-90% of the time, BOTH wheels engage....My truck has a 3.08, and is NOT limited slip....I have jacked both wheels up, and spin the passenger side wheel forwards, the drivers side wheel will spin backwards, thus an open differential....


My question is, why would BOTH wheels spin in the gravel, if it is a true open differential? Also, on wet pavement, albeit a LOT less, 20-30% of the time, the drivers side wheel will engage...


Just doesn't make sense....

Any help/info may help me understand this a bit more..

 

i would think it's the same reason you can drift with an open differental (in the rain), at a certain point there isnt enough resistance to keep both tires from spinning.

 

A quick , light tap of the throttle, no more than 1,000, 1,500 rpms?

 

ive actually never diven a l6 so idk. but a 5.0 you have to get it reved up. maybe the torque of your l6 is what gets both tires spinning

 

Doesnt matter what engine you have.

If traction is equal on both tires, then both will spin