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Need help answering a question about 4 wheel drive and limited slip differential.

C

coolred

Diamond Member
I am interested in getting a dodge dakota quad cab and had a question i needed answered first. I live in Columbus, OH and very rarely drive out of the state of Ohio. So the weather around here is not to bad, rain on occasion during the warmer seasons, and some snow during winter, but not too much lately. I am wondering if it is worth getting the part time 4 wheel drive, or if just getting the limited slip differential would do good enough. I currently drive an 89 Olds Cutlass Ciera. Its front wheel drive, but it handles okay in bad weather. So I think I would be okay with just the LSD, but I would like other opinions. Also opting for just LSD instead of 4 wheel drive is quite a bit cheaper. Thanks
 
If you do get 4WD... i hope you don't think that'll let you drive on roads any way you like. 🙂 I saw this documentary where people with SUVs with AWD or 4WD believed it made them invincible... so off they went driving way faster than they should. 🙂
 
My friend has a 2002 Extended Cab/Short Bed 5.9liter V8 Dakota. Very nice truck, pretty quick, rides smooth etc. I've noticed when riding with him that traction is only so-so when in 2wd, the tire slips very easily in the rain, and it has a lot of trouble in the snow. Although when you engage 4wd all your troubles are gone! Sometimes in the rain if he needs to pull out onto a main road quicky he puts it in 4wd while turning so the back wheel won't get loose.
 
I moved To Columbus OH from the east coast of Canada where they get real snow. The front hubs on my 4X4 havn't been turned in in 3 years and I don't even carry any weight in my truck. I figure just save your $$ and get the limited.
 
If you are not going to be driving the thing off road, or expect to drive it much in the snow, then just get the limited slip. I would rather you got the 4x4 "just in case" but the aproximate cost of $2500 for 4 wheel over 2 wheel may not be worth it fo you. to me, it is. No question. But it would take quite a few tow truck bills to get to $2500.

You will get a higher resale value if you get the 4x4 though, but if you are buying a truck for resale value, you need your head looked at.
 
LSD is worse for driving in the rain. With an open differential, if there is loss of traction, one tire spins, losing all traction, while the other one doesn't, retaining traction. Both wheels spinning makes it easier to fishtail. BUT, conversely, with an LSD, it is more difficult for the tires to spin because if one wheel goes through a puddle, it may not spin because there is still resistance from the other wheel.
 
I don't plan much offroading, and like I said it should only be in the occasional snow and rain around here.

Kinda seems pretty even. Several saying get the 4 wheel drive, and several saying LSD is good enough, can i still start a poll in this thread?
 
Originally posted by: coolred
I don't plan much offroading, and like I said it should only be in the occasional snow and rain around here.

Kinda seems pretty even. Several saying get the 4 wheel drive, and several saying LSD is good enough, can i still start a poll in this thread?
Click to expand...

you have to do it when you start the thread.
 
I would say just get the 4wd, you probably won't need it often, but it can be a lifesaver in certain situations. 2wd trucks just don't handle well in the rain/snow with an empty bed.
 
Wow, another 2 people from Columbus, OH in ATOT😀

I have nothing better to contribute to the thread😱

Spac3d
 
Yeah I figured I had to do it when I started the thread, thanks.

I understand that 2wd trucks may not handle well in the snow. But I was hoping the LSD would help that out a little. I mean the extra 2500 for the 4wd is enough to put a squeeze on my budget. I will probablly go with just the LSD unless I get a large amount of replies saying to get the 4wd
 
Get LSD for year round driving. For snow, you can install air lockers, per ferably front and rear, but at least front. Check out the FAQ on air lockers Here. Guess I'm a "Hick". cya

edit for LINKY ARB and Link here PM me if you have any questions about it.
 
Yeah I think I will go with just the LSD.

But on a side note a kind of odd thing just happened to me.

I was configuring a quad on both carpoint and emunds. They have slightly differant prices listed, I added the same options to both and the price came out exactly the same. Thats just kinda weird
 
They both do well. I've seen both go ALOT of places off road, usually the biggest problem with LSD is theres no weight in the back. For on-road purposes only, LSD would be absolutely fine.
Or go the way I did. LSD AND 4 wheel drive.
Hey, I like mud. 😀
 
Originally posted by: teqwiz
Get LSD for year round driving. For snow, you can install air lockers, per ferably front and rear, but at least front. Check out the FAQ on air lockers Here. Guess I'm a "Hick". cya

edit for LINKY ARB and Link here PM me if you have any questions about it.
Click to expand...

I think getting lockers for someone who dosn't even know if he is gonna get a 4X4 is insane. Most active offroad people don't even have them and if they do it usually only in the rear.
 
Originally posted by: Antisocial-Virge
Originally posted by: teqwiz
Get LSD for year round driving. For snow, you can install air lockers, per ferably front and rear, but at least front. Check out the FAQ on air lockers Here. Guess I'm a "Hick". cya

edit for LINKY ARB and Link here PM me if you have any questions about it.
Click to expand...

I think getting lockers for someone who dosn't even know if he is gonna get a 4X4 is insane. Most active offroad people don't even have them and if they do it usually only in the rear.
Click to expand...


Rear lockers are best for sand or mud, but snow often requires traction to the steering mechanism, so for some one who might lock the hubs up twice a year only in snow, more than likely, front wheel traction is a better option. IMHO

Detroit lockers are not a good snow option on the other hand, as they often hold on longer than might be needed and air locker is easily disengage once you've gotten back to having traction. Detroits are centrifical OTOH and need to be wound down in order to disengage. Detroits are great for pulling and sand.

BTW, lockers are generally only for 4x4 applications and I only gave him some reading matterial. If that makes me insane, then I'm in good company.
 
WARNING: Do not drive on LSD! The trees and bushes on the side of the road will try to attack your vehicle. The lines on the road will try to make your vehicle leave the road at an inopportune time.
 
On a more serious note, stick w/ FWD, they do much better on slick roads than a 2WD pickup. If you must get a pickup, get 4WD. Many late 80's, to present time Subarus have 4WD and are quite affordable.
 
I would go with the Limited Slip Differential.

Why? You will save money by not purchasing 4 wheel drive and if you do have 4 wheel drive you will take about a ~2mpg hit in fuel economy.

I'm in Dayton, Ohio and it doesn't snow that much to justify the expenditure for 4 wheel drive. As far as rain goes, come on, you don't need 4 wheel drive for rain.

That said, I own a GMC Sonoma with Limited Slip Differential (no 4 wheel drive) and I have never really fishtailed in rain. (OK, maybe 8-12 inches side movement max under a full throttle start on wet pavement with a 4.3l V6 - but I am constantly moving forward unlike the suckers with standard 2wd) I also pull a 4000lb ski boat on boat ramps (wet pavement & steep) and don't have any problems. (Well, the almost treadbar Goodyear Eagles gave me some problems there, but that was quickly remedied with some new Bridgestones...)

If you are on snow slicked roads, you will get some fishtailing with a Limited Slip Differential. However it is easily controlled and at times can be desired... 🙂 The only reason I could see getting 4 wheel drive for snow is if you regularily get snowfalls where you have to drive through 6+ i nches of standing snow. I've owned my truck since May 1999 and have yet to get stuck in snow with Limited Slip.

Remember with 4 wheel drive engaged you have a regular differential on both the front and rear so you only have 2 wheels propelling you anyhow. So why not save the money and fuel and just get Limited Slip.

Bockie
 
Yeah LSD looks like the way to go for me. Um the differential not the drug.

Thanks HighTechRedneck for that info. I would hate to have trees attack me, or have the road lines try to drive me off the road. LSD is not your friend, LOL.
 
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