Understanding Four Wheel Drive
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Elder User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 505
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From: Mountaintop USA
Understanding Four Wheel Drive
OK it's my turn for a dumb question. Been thinkin bout four wheel drive, limited slips and all that good stuff and I know that with a rear diff LS when one wheel loses traction, power is transferred to the one getting traction. But what about the front diff. When you're in 4 Hi or 4 Lo is the frt diff set up with limited slip or is it locked. If it were locked I would think this would create a turning problem. AND....if the frt is LS then in reality you don't have a true 4 wheel drive but actually still 2 wheel drive with one wheel pulling in the rear on whatever side and one in the frt pulling on either side. Correct or no??
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,742
Likes: 8
From: OK
Understanding Four Wheel Drive
Drivability vs traction is the major consideration when choosing LS or locker. That's what makes the ARB air lockers so popular. They can unlock and drive like an "open" differential on the highway or lock and get the traction necessary for serious off-roading.
Take some time and read the information found here:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm
Take some time and read the information found here:
http://www.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 392
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From: Buffalo USA
Understanding Four Wheel Drive
[updated:LAST EDITED ON 25-Mar-02 AT 10:32 PM (EST)]Locked rear ends or the use of spools are not so practical for street use. They force both wheels to turn at the same speed.
When making a turn, there is a possibilty of twisting an axle, ripping the splines of the end of your axels, etc.
Great for drag racing (straight line) or other types of racing where there is give on the ground, ie. dirt.
Circle track cars can use them because of the tire stagger they use.
When making a turn, there is a possibilty of twisting an axle, ripping the splines of the end of your axels, etc.
Great for drag racing (straight line) or other types of racing where there is give on the ground, ie. dirt.
Circle track cars can use them because of the tire stagger they use.
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Sit. Stay.
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 18,308
Likes: 20
From: Washington State
Understanding Four Wheel Drive
>:-X23 Ok, if you guys are intrerested in furthering a course
>in 4 wheelin 101, what are the pros and cons of LS vs a
>locker?
This months (actually May) edition of Four-Wheeler has a fairly good article on all the various traction devices.
>in 4 wheelin 101, what are the pros and cons of LS vs a
>locker?
This months (actually May) edition of Four-Wheeler has a fairly good article on all the various traction devices.
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Tuned
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 285
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio, TX, USA
Understanding Four Wheel Drive
Not to mention all those fun pinging and popping noises that the Detroit Locker makes when the rear end winds up. You can go with a Detroit Easy Locker that allows a little give in turns but gives you the reliability of the locker. A good solution is to put the locker in the front diff. That way, when the hubs are not locked in, it free wheels anyway and doesn't affect your street characteristics. That way you'd have 3 wheel drive 
TXTRAILERDADDY
TXTRAILERDADDY