Isn't it obvious???
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Coastal North Carolina
Isn't it obvious???
I was laying there in bed trying to sleep and it hit me. Why dont they make factory lockers on the front diff standard? Think about it. on my 99 ranger 4x4 the hubs and the transfer case disengage, so in 2 wheel drive the front diif isnt turning. and you dont have to worry about binding anything because the only time you have it in 4x4 anyways is when the tires are going to be slipping anyways.
If you have ANY problems with this line of thinking let me know. Am i overlooking something or am i right.
And what does it take to weld the spider gears together on the front diff.? What are the advantages/ disadvantages to this. ( i cant afford lockers)
am i right???
If you have ANY problems with this line of thinking let me know. Am i overlooking something or am i right.
And what does it take to weld the spider gears together on the front diff.? What are the advantages/ disadvantages to this. ( i cant afford lockers)
am i right???
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
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From: Eastern WA
Re: Isn't it obvious???
Originally posted by 99xlt4.04x4
And what does it take to weld the spider gears together on the front diff.? What are the advantages/ disadvantages to this. ( i cant afford lockers)
And what does it take to weld the spider gears together on the front diff.? What are the advantages/ disadvantages to this. ( i cant afford lockers)
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 1999
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From: Everett, Wa
Well a locker would not work but something like a air locker would be a great option if it was tied into the selector switch. Maybe the switch just like it is with a lighted button in the center to engage the the locker.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: VA BEACH
I thought the front axles were locked. I have never seen the only one wheel in the front while in 4 wheel.
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Postmaster
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From: St. Peter
i suppose if your driving on rainy roads, i kinda meant if you were out mud boggin or on a slippery surface....
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Posting Guru
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From: Coastal North Carolina
I am only talking about the front end. I wont have it in 4x4 on "wet pavement". If you have ever neen wheelin' with a locked vehicle you know it still turns and better off road. What im talking about is locking the 2 front tires together, but since the front axle is used ONLY IN 4x4, 2 wheel drive WILL NOT be affected. Does any one get what im saying???
The 4x4 button on the dash when controls the hubs AND the transfer case. When in 4x2 neither are engaged so the front diff. is not spinning. When in 4x4 (only off road or when there is tire slipage) the front tires would be locked together.
The 4x4 button on the dash when controls the hubs AND the transfer case. When in 4x2 neither are engaged so the front diff. is not spinning. When in 4x4 (only off road or when there is tire slipage) the front tires would be locked together.
Freshman User
Joined: Dec 2003
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first ---i am no 4 wheel drive guy.......i probably will be next time around though....i know what you are saying 99.it wouldnt think it practical for everyone as they drive in snow on the street and such.....i also dont know if the front diff. can handle the extra work(i am not saying it cant i am just saying i dont know)-----------are there any 4 wheel drives that has lsd front and back?is there a lsd available for any of the ranger trucks?
Postmaster
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From: St. Peter
I know what your saying, i think you'd be fine unless you use your 4x4 alot on roads that are kinda snowy with some pavement exposed, then you'd run into problems turning, but you'd just have to unlock the 4x4.
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From: Coastal North Carolina
yep and that is easy to do since i can shift on the fly. Besides we dont get much snow here in NC by the beach. Maybe a quarter inch a year if we're lucky. It was just an idea.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Seattle
Limited Slip
In answer to your original question, limited slip differentials are more trouble than they are worth.
My '83 Ranger had manual locking hubs and a limited slip differential in the front - when you engaged the front transmission both tires moved in unison (or close to it).
The turn radius is terrible in 4wd with a limited slip even on ice with oil over it and bacon grease all over your tires. Couple that with the fact that 4wd is normally used in conditions that aren't uniformly slippery - axle windup can be a big problem on snowy/icy/slushy roads. Its a fact of physics- your inside tire has to turn slower than the outside tire in a turn.
In severe conditions limited slip can be a life saver, but in most conditions it just gets in the way or even limits your options. So modern 4wd systems compromise by letting the tires move a bit more independently to increase manuverability.
My '83 Ranger had manual locking hubs and a limited slip differential in the front - when you engaged the front transmission both tires moved in unison (or close to it).
The turn radius is terrible in 4wd with a limited slip even on ice with oil over it and bacon grease all over your tires. Couple that with the fact that 4wd is normally used in conditions that aren't uniformly slippery - axle windup can be a big problem on snowy/icy/slushy roads. Its a fact of physics- your inside tire has to turn slower than the outside tire in a turn.
In severe conditions limited slip can be a life saver, but in most conditions it just gets in the way or even limits your options. So modern 4wd systems compromise by letting the tires move a bit more independently to increase manuverability.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 119
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From: VA BEACH
I don't know about you guys but i am pretty sure my 2003 has a limited slip in the front. I was pulling a full size econoline van out of the mud that was sunk to axles. So i hooked up a snap strap and put it in 4low. Well all four tired spun me right down to the axles. So in my opinion, that tells me power is applied to all 4 tires. FYI i disconnected the strap got myself out and used 4hi to jerk the van out. Those tow hooks on the front can take some abuse!!!!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Eventually you will probably have to replace the OEM hubs; factory Rangers hubs seem to have, um, issues. When you lock the aftermarket manual hubs with the "solid front axle", things are gonna get interesting with the rig in 4x2. Are you comfortable with this going down a semi-slick interstate at 50MPH? Or do you prefer to only use 4x4 when you are stuck and only need to to get back on the road again. By implementing your idea, you give up the opportunity to lock the hubs and leave it in 4x2 on roads where conditions might warrant engaging 4x4 at times. Where I live, this situation is quite common. If I were shopping for a used rig, I would quickly discover your "mod" on a test drive and deduct mucho $$$ because of it, if I hadn't already walked. The big picture is worth looking at here.