I need help with traction!
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1
From: AL, Reform
I need help with traction!
of late I've been lacking with traction. i have been stuck in the mud 5 times in the last week. and it will just be on top of the ground. i have Firestone destination AT 285/75/16E tires, they have good tread left. when i get stuck only 1 tire will spin, and the truck has a positive rear end. what can i do to help this? most of the time all i takes is a small pull and im good, Saturday i backed a trailer up unloaded then could not move an inch. what is the problem tires rear end?
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, MI
positive as in limited slip or non-limited? i can never remember. if you have the non-limited i would look into a Detroit Tru Trac, Riffraff has them. http://www.riffraffdiesel.com/catego...-TRANS-TT.html
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,555
Likes: 9
From: Longview, TX
How is the front pulling? I know my dads 2x4 would get stuck in mud very easily, with only one wheel pulling. since I've had a 4x4, I haven't had any issues getting stuck, but that's in sand and not mud. I can bury the rear end, and still get out if I lock it in. I feel my diff jumping back and forth very often though.
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 798
Likes: 1
From: Alma Arkansas
If you only spin one tire in mud then you have either an open diff or a really worn out limited slip.
Also make no mistake about it. AT tires are street tires and are only marginally better that street tire.
Also make no mistake about it. AT tires are street tires and are only marginally better that street tire.
Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Iirc the true trac is a limited slip. It won't do much better than the oe in mud. You will want a selectable locker. Once it is engaged both tires will spin at the same rate. You could also just air down the tires and feather the parking brake. That will preload the ls diff and help transfer the power to the tire with traction. Of course you will need to fully reinflate the tires before you pull a trailer. When in mud, wheel speed is your friend
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,738
Likes: 15
From: Temperance, MI
If only one tire is spinning you do not have a posi. I would go with a trutrack if I was you that was it is an open diff until it senses slippage then it will lock both axles in. I would also have a shop put it in
If your in the mud that often ditch the A/Ts like said above A/Ts are mostly a street tire anyways.
If your in the mud that often ditch the A/Ts like said above A/Ts are mostly a street tire anyways.
Trending Topics
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 798
Likes: 1
From: Alma Arkansas
A true trac is a gear driven torque splitting diff that basically had a bias range geared into it. No clutches or springs. They work about as well as anything short of a full on selectable locker
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 191
Likes: 1
From: Banner WY Pop 42, yes 42
I have the same problem but in snow and ice as Snakedoc. My 2002 f350 4x4 according to the code on the diff. plate shows it is a limited slip diff. Well, I got stuck in my driveway in about 2 in. of snow/ice. One front wheel spinning and ONE rear wheel spinning. My wife in her Subaru just calmly drove around me and laughed. I love the truck but it has horrible traction in snow/ice.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 967
Likes: 7
From: coquitlam,BC
ARB air locker. Had one in the rear end of my 78 bronco. Awsome traction. The problem with a Detroit locker is when on icy roads it can be,shall we say, stressfull, especially when she breaks loose.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 841
Likes: 0
From: Monroe, MI
after watching this video i didnt think it would be to bad but it is also on a suburban so i dont know if theres a huge difference in installation. I to have the same problem when not in 4x4 so i have been looking into them a little bit.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
A set of chains will help a lot in the mud if you don't want to run MT tires.
Last memorial day I had to chain up to pull my 5th wheel out of our camping spot, my BFG ATs just could not clean enough to get out.
Last memorial day I had to chain up to pull my 5th wheel out of our camping spot, my BFG ATs just could not clean enough to get out.
Thread Starter
|
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 4,006
Likes: 1
From: AL, Reform
i would love to have a set of mud tires but they dont last and i tow all the time.
i have a winch that is great in helping me out,
i just dont know if my diff is bad, but the code says it is limited. the front dose the same only 1 wheel spins when stuck?
i have a winch that is great in helping me out,
i just dont know if my diff is bad, but the code says it is limited. the front dose the same only 1 wheel spins when stuck?
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,813
Likes: 1,335
From: Elk Grove, CA
A lot of LS differentials out there will act like an open when tired or too much friction modifier is added. When installing a 08 diff cover on mine I was careful to add only a bit of the friction modifier at a time, sneaking up on the sweet spot where the LS actually works. If yours is not terribly worn that strategy can work for you. If you have a tree sprouting money out on the back 40 I'd go with the Detroit TrueTrac. ARB air locker is overkill for your application, which sounds a lot like mine. But for now Shanejet has it right, air down and apply a little parking brake to control the spin. It's a technique some people master and they make it look easy, but I kinda suck at it.