Quote:
Originally Posted by bmac
Locking rear differential is all you will need from what you have said. If a rear wheel starts to spin (like on a boat ramp), the locker engages automatically and locks both back wheel together.
Open differentials are what most vehicles have, even 4x4. With open diffs, if one wheel loses traction (spins) then most of your power gets lost to that wheel. You get stuck. Locking diffs lock the wheels on the axle together, so if one wheel on that axle is spinning but the other has traction, you will continue moving forward.
You do have to be careful when cornering and applying throttle with an auto locker. If your outside wheel starts to spin the axle will lock and your rear end will slide sideways. Most people over 18 will not have a problem with it though, because you have to drive like an idiot to do it. There are thousands of lockers on the road and Chevy/GMC wouldn't offer it as a factory option if it wasn't safe. It looks cheaper than I thought too, $350?
http://ask.cars.com/2009/06/silverad...ferential.html
Good explanation here:
http://youtu.be/q-rQTHMVAuw |
Makes since, but what if both wheels are on rollers? Like at a boat launch covered in slime, rear wheels are usually in the slime, fronts are high and dry...
How many times are you in the mud with only one side of your truck? If you need a locker on 2wd, chances are both wheels are on "rollers"
My 2 cents.
Get 4wd and never say "wish I woulda gotten 4wd", chances are it will be a very crappy day. Like after a hurricane trying to get to some supplies or someone, or in a snow/ice storm that we've never seen in our life time....