How does a two speed axle work?
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 120
From: Carstairs Alberta
the 2 speed rears essentially have a planetary system which can either be in direct or in reduction. so really its quite similar to a gear vendors except its contained in the rear end instead of stand alone, the control button has been robbed from the old 2 speed diff system.things is they are a very heavy diff and the diff is what is called unsprung weight. unspring weight typically has 2x the negative effect on ride as spung weight which is why they never became popular on light vehicles
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 251
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Two speed rear ends are one of the finest inventions ever made. I have driven one for many years and they are smooth and effective. Number one mistake most people make when driving a truck equipped with a two speed axle, is they hurry the shift. It's a truck!!!! It's meant to be driven carefully. By this I mean if you want to keep it together you must treat it like a lady. Be nice to it. Shift it softly and don't shake the driveline with the clutch. My 1959 F-700 still has the original 5 speed clark transmission in it. I very seldom even use the clutch to shift.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 250
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From: 80 Miles N of El Paso TX
"How does a posi traction rear end in a Plymouth work? It just does!" Sorry, had to get Joe Dirt quotes out of my head.
Seriously, I love a "splitter" Our 89 F-700 Dump truck has one & it is nice pulling hills loaded.
Seriously, I love a "splitter" Our 89 F-700 Dump truck has one & it is nice pulling hills loaded.
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 120
From: Carstairs Alberta
yup the splitter works very well, like anything else they can break and need repair, but generally they don't cause anymore problems than any other drivetrain component. used splitter in a chevy firetruck and it shifted just fine, course it had a bit of a weird gear overlap in the main box so in third high you went to 4 high instead of 4 low like you would think.(only gave you 8-9 gears not 10) once you understood the real order of gears it was just fine. over the years i've driven just about every heavy duty tranny used since about 1970 and there is stuff way stranger than a 2speed diff. try a 15 double over where 4 and 5 position are reversed, or a machk airshift where reverse is on the air button and you have 5 reverse speeds if you want to fool around, or 5and 4's where you have 2 sticks for double the fun
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