3 wheel drive
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From: Spring Lake
3 wheel drive
So while pulling my buddy's buick regal up my street because the plows seem to have forgotten about Flint, MI I hung out my driver side window and noticed in 4 low my driver side front wasn't spinning. Warn manual locking hubs work fine, i took them apart and lubed them when i did my brakes. the axle appears to be in the right place, but only the right front seems to work. Ideas anyone? I got me the Dana 60 front end, and the axles were pulled about 40K ago when I did my ball joints. Don't know if this helps???
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From: Spring Lake
If it's an open front end why does it bind and hop and act all nasty when it gets traction and the hubs are locked in? This is an area I don't completely understand so don't take it the wrong way
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
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Because your front and rear driveshafts are spinning at the same rate, but your front and rear wheels are not taking the same turning radius. It makes the front wheels bump and they are forced to slip. It is hard on the drivetrain and is the reason you should not use 4WD on dry pavement. You want to be on a surface that can allow the wheels to slip easily.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2003
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If you turn on the grass or in snow you will see 4 different radius' from your tires.They all turn at different speeds ---- some need to turn faster to catch-up.That is why an open diff is the ideal situation.You will feel a jump as you turn in 4wd
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Breckenridge, TX
You can use lockers and LS units. I don't buy into the "locked rears cause accidents in the snow" line, if you aren't an idiot gassing it around corners or intentionally fishtailing it, there's no difference from an unlocked rear. An LS unit up front does fine, again just don't gas it to death so it won't lock up when you're turning.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
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Accidents don't happen on purpose. And yes, a locker does feel different than open diff. I've had both. The open diff is more forgiving on ice. With an automatic locker you will have to be more careful. It will help the truck get traction to accelerate but can upset handling. A selectable locker is the best of both worlds, but are expensive.
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From: Spring Lake
As for the locking rears I aint never had one so I don't got room to have an opinion as for how they affect handling other than the one in my buddy's cummins sucks on dry pavement... hurts your neck during turns.
As for the front, had no idea it was open as well. My rear gots the limited slip, I shoot 2 rooster tails of snow whenever I gas it in this weather so thats nice that it works. Also better to know my front end aint busted...
Thanks for the knowledge!!!
As for the front, had no idea it was open as well. My rear gots the limited slip, I shoot 2 rooster tails of snow whenever I gas it in this weather so thats nice that it works. Also better to know my front end aint busted...
Thanks for the knowledge!!!
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2003
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From: Lyndonville, Vermont
Even an open diff will give power to both wheels if the traction is identical. RARE .Going in a straight line I've had cars leave two strips once in a while with open diff's. The bigger the truck the more of a pig it becomes with an open diff in front. Just trying to drive say over a 3" log one tire is pushing not climbing so it actually causes trouble. But with a locker or good LS in front both tires climb and make that heavy truck into a beast.
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
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From: Breckenridge, TX
I learned to drive on ice in Colorado in a FSB with a locked rear and an LS front, never had a problem. I'd personally rather have both wheels locked and turning than single-powering one side. Less breakage and problems, expecially if the wheel that's turning decides to grab tight all the sudden.
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From: Spring Lake
i feel like a victim of false advertising... the side of my truck says FX4 not FX2 or 3... I just feel like i've been lied too all my life and now I'm not even sure if I know which way is up or down, right left, etc.
Well it's 1.30 here in MI, I hope my 3 wheel drive can take me to the stop and rob around the corner because I need a beer or 12 after this kind of news
Well it's 1.30 here in MI, I hope my 3 wheel drive can take me to the stop and rob around the corner because I need a beer or 12 after this kind of news
Tuned
Joined: Jun 2006
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has anyone here tried a mini spool or loc right in the front to make both the front tires spin? i've heard about a few guys that have this setup (not usually on a full size street trucks mind you) but only lock 1 hub for the street to make turning easier and lessen the stress on the power train...but when things get ugly they can lock both hubs and get both fronts spinning. i figure for the amount of time most trucks are in 4X4 vs cost might be a option? thoughts?