limited slip differential on a 2 wheel drive truck

[Miami Vice]

I just got a used Doge Ram 2500 with 2 wheel drive.
It has a limited slip differential.
When I pull the boat up at the launch ramp and the launch ramp is slippery with algae and slime, will the limited slip differential help?
In other words, does a 2 wheel drive truck with limited slip differential truck perform any better on a slippery launch ramp, than just a regular 2 wheel drive truck?
Miami Vice

[we16]

With the limited slip you can spin both tires instead of one.
In a lot of cases limited slip is as good as 4 wheel drive.
Because if on 4 wheel drive you spin one back wheel and one front wheel, you are done
And yes I drove 4 wheel drives in Utah, CO, and NM for 15 years on the gas field "roads"
Places you need 4 wheel drive, not just on the speed bumps at wal-mart.

The problem at a boat ramp is that you have both back wheels on the slime. I have a limited slip back differential on a 4 wheel drive. I have seen my wife spinning both ties trying to pull away from the ramp. After I got her to put the truck in 4 wheel, it drove right out because the front wheels were on dry ground. The advantage of a 4 wheel is getting a set of wheels on good ground

Also at that same ramp while loading, Wife stepped over the tongue and her feet slipped out from under her. The 2-3 inches of cold water she landed in, did not do much to break her fall. It was very slick

[Superfishman186]

Open differential = one back tire will spin only, usually the passenger side

limited slip differential= Only 1 tire will spin when heavily loaded or if the limited slip friction clutches are worn. Will spin both tires IF there is a lightly loaded rear end.

Locking rear end= both tires will spin after 1 side has rotated between a quarter to two revolutions, then both are locked together and will spin regardless of how loaded the rear is.

The limited slip may help you at the boat launch IF it is not already worn out. If it is worn out it is no better than an Open Diff rear end. The best option would be a fully locking rear end you would get with most chevy Z71's. Just look for the roller ramp video on YOutube and it will demonstrate.

[Miami Vice]

Superfishman186
The truck has 100,000 miles on it, but the differential was rebuilt at 80,000 miles.
Does that mean I have 60,000 miles to go before I wear out the limited slip feature?
Miami Vice

[Crunchy]

Been down this road before. Most shops won't rebuild the limited slip clutch packs during a rebuild. They just change the bearings and gears (if the gears are shot), set the backlash and preload and charge you a grand for it.

Limited slip clutch packs last maybe 60k miles, less if you spend lots of time spinning wheels (think mud or snow).

Good news is a limited slip can be rebuilt by any handy man who can follow directions and knows his lefty-loosy from a right-tighty for about $100. You do not need to re-setup your gears to rebuild the clutch packs (pull axles, out some the spider gears and clutch packs, throw new clutches in).

Long story short: limited slip is better than an open diff, but not as good as getting a locker or 4x4.

Originally Posted by Miami Vice

Superfishman186
The truck has 100,000 miles on it, but the differential was rebuilt at 80,000 miles.
Does that mean I have 60,000 miles to go before I wear out the limited slip feature?
Miami Vice

[Superfishman186]

Originally Posted by Miami Vice

Superfishman186
The truck has 100,000 miles on it, but the differential was rebuilt at 80,000 miles.
Does that mean I have 60,000 miles to go before I wear out the limited slip feature?
Miami Vice

Crunchy summed it up right, except if someone is gonna bother pulling apart a limited slip diff to rebuild the clutch pack you might as well just pull them out and spend a couple $100 on a lock rite locker or similar, and get a full locking rear.
Limited slip could last the life of a vehicle if a little old lady only drives it in the summer or it can wear out with one night of 4 wheeling and drinking.

[Phil T]

If your used Dodge has a real steel front bumper, you may get more benefit from a front tow ball. At least the driving wheels are on drier concrete. If it's too new to have an all steel front bumper, check Curt hitch's website for a front receiver that will fit. They were on sale on an auto or RV website a couple weeks ago for $80. NO, I don't remember the website, I bought one a year and a half ago.

[jeffbilodeau]

Originally Posted by Phil T

If your used Dodge has a real steel front bumper, you may get more benefit from a front tow ball. At least the driving wheels are on drier concrete. If it's too new to have an all steel front bumper, check Curt hitch's website for a front receiver that will fit. They were on sale on an auto or RV website a couple weeks ago for $80. NO, I don't remember the website, I bought one a year and a half ago.

I would stay away from this advice. Although a front hitch allows you to keep your drive tires dry...guess where your front end...motor is? If it's a shallow launch it'll be in the water. Also if the launch is relatively steep (which most are in my area) a large portion of your vehicle weight will transfer to the front...not to mention the tongue weight...effectively taking most of the weight off your drive tires. It will be evven worse than the rear hitch.
If you find that you limited slip is not effective follow the advice above. Choose a locking type differential like a Tru-trac or even better an E-Locker. Stay away from a full locker like a Detroit Locker for a street vehicle. They are noisy and harder on tires. Also, an aggressive locker will send your rear end around really fast on snow, ice or even rain. An E-Locker (locks up with an electrical switch) gives you the best of all worlds....but they are higher priced.

[beeman]

If you really do not want to get stuck order ARB air locker or tru track. ARBs not cheap! Limited slips have there place and I like them rarely do I find myself in 2 foot deep snow for real lockers. 4x4 is even better on steep slipper ramps low range helps out big time.

[UKBDM]

The best option would be a fully locking rear end you would get with most chevy Z71's. Just look for the roller ramp video on YOutube and it will demonstrate.[/QUOTE]

I don't want to start a pissing match but there has never been a factory installed locking differential in a Z71 Chevy pickup. Limited slips vary in design but none of them lock up like a Detroit or ARB or others.