Got a 1990 f250 7.5 2wd

When I got the truck the back tires didnt have much life left so I decided to dick around and burnout to use up the last of the tread. I noticed I was only leaving one burnout mark.

So now out of the 2 rear tires, one is completely bald and the only has a little tread.

Went to pull out of my driveway this morning and after some rain it was muddy. I have a flat driveway and I couldnt even get out of the drive! My bald tire was in the mud and my good tire on the pavement. The bald tire would spin and Id go nowhere. Had to back up and get a running start.

Why didnt the other tire on the pavement engage once the bald tire started to spin? I get that each tire gets its own power but I thought once one started to spin more power would go to the other tire.

Thanks in advance

 

You've got an open differential.

 

That is an "open" differential. It applies power to basically one tire at a time. Leaving you stuck if one tire is on anything slippery. The one way to get power transferred over is to ride the brake enough to stop the spinning tire and it will then put the power to the other tire. It does work, but only if you have rear brakes that work well(many times they are so far out of adjustment they don't do much).

If you had a "traction lok", it would apply power to both tires simultaneously.

You may have a TL, but if the clutches are worn, it will turn into a "one wheelie peelie".

 

One tire frier!

 

4WD with an open differential will show a similar deal, except now with only 2 wheels spinning.

 

I get it's an open diff. But I thought if one tire was spinning it would apply power to the non spinning wheel. I just sat there and spun even though the tire that has tread was on pavement. If the pavement tire would have spun I should have had no issues. If I replace the clutches would it solve my problem?

 

Nope, if you have an open differential it will direct all the power to the wheel that spins with the least resistance. It will never start to apply power to the other wheel. ABS and Traction control help alleviate this in modern vehicles by applying the brake on that one spinning wheel to force the differential to send power to the tire with grip, but on these older vehicles, unless you have a LSD you will spin the stuck wheel indefinitely.

 

Sounds to me like you need a couple of new tires and some weight in the bed........and re-learn how to drive......

 

No clutches in an open diff......that's why its called "open"....

 

Well **** biscuit turd muncher. Thanks guys

 

Exactly what I was going to say. Choose some good gripping tires, but get some that will serve you for how you mostly use the truck.

 

Haven't you seen "My Cousin Vinny"? A classic movie that perfectly fits the discussion perfectly.

 

My thoughts exactly

 

Check out this almost ten year old video. It's a good demonstration of how inadequate open and limited slip differentials are when one wheel has no traction.

 

And here's a guide to differentials I wrote up that you might find helpful
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...erentials.html