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4wd low - I thought the front is locked?

Old 02-27-2010, 01:10 PM
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4wd low - I thought the front is locked?

Took down a 3.5' diameter cotton wood tree this morning. After the tree was down and delimbed, decided to hook up the big dodge to see if I could skid the main section with a ****** strap (towing recovery strap). Had some slack, let it rip in 4wd low and in 1st gear. Defininetly moved the tree but had to ulitmately cut it into 12' sections to move it. When the tree won the first time (with out cutting it), one of the guys noticed my left front tire was not spinning but the right front was. Is this right? I was on packed snow.

I would have placed a bet that all 4 would be spinning.

Any thoughts or is this correct? The front axle is an open axle or traction lock and not a full locker? Sure feels like a full locker when I have 4wd on pavement!

Glad I have a dodge with an oil burner!
Old 02-27-2010, 01:12 PM
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Originally Posted by nvr-enuf
Took down a 3.5' diameter cotton wood tree this morning. After the tree was down and delimbed, decided to hook up the big dodge to see if I could skid the main section with a ****** strap (towing recovery strap). Had some slack, let it rip in 4wd low and in 1st gear. Defininetly moved the tree but had to ulitmately cut it into 12' sections to move it. When the tree won the first time (with out cutting it), one of the guys noticed my left front tire was not spinning but the right front was. Is this right? I was on packed snow.

I would have placed a bet that all 4 would be spinning.

Any thoughts or is this correct? The front axle is an open axle or traction lock and not a full locker? Sure feels like a full locker when I have 4wd on pavement!

Glad I have a dodge with an oil burner!
I would expect the front to be open.
Old 02-27-2010, 01:23 PM
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Driving it on pavement, I would not have expected it to be open
Old 02-27-2010, 01:27 PM
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Yeah on pavement you are feeling the front locked to the rear also.
I'm not sure, but most fronts are open.
You can always upgrade to a locker!!!
Old 02-27-2010, 03:07 PM
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You put a locker in the front of that truck and try to turn it on dry pavement with it in 4X4 and it's gonna rip that steering wheel out of your hand.

The front ends on these trucks are opened, the only one that isn't is the power wagon.
Old 02-27-2010, 04:20 PM
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open diff on the front. When on dry pavement you are feeling the bind between the locked front and rear shaft speeds
Old 02-27-2010, 05:22 PM
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Originally Posted by bnold
open diff on the front. When on dry pavement you are feeling the bind between the locked front and rear shaft speeds
Thanks for expounding on post #4. Your input made all the difference.

Just kidding....
Old 02-28-2010, 08:51 AM
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Thanks - nice to know that it is as it should be. I now know why it bucks on dry pavement.
Old 03-01-2010, 06:17 AM
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4wd on stock vehicles is, for the most part, false advertising. While there are some true 4wds out there, most are only 2 wheel - 1 in the front and 1 in the rear. If you want all 4 to have power, you need some type of lockers.
Old 03-01-2010, 08:20 AM
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Originally Posted by 05HDRAM
4wd on stock vehicles is, for the most part, false advertising. While there are some true 4wds out there, most are only 2 wheel - 1 in the front and 1 in the rear. If you want all 4 to have power, you need some type of lockers.
05HDRAM is spot-on... I wouldn't want the front locked, but I was sure to get the rear LSD and it works great on my truck.

Coming back through the snow storm in Georgia a couple weeks back I was going up a steep hill, crawling up actually because the snow shut Georgia down.... But I pulled over to see what I could see about the traffic jam and had the driver's side on glassy ice and the passenger's side on dry pavement. Going up a steep incline. Well I figured I always have 4 wheel if this doesn't work!

But I could get going from a dead stop with no slipping at all. I did it again and again, fast starts, slow starts.... I was really impressed with the rear end. I've had trucks with 'limited slip' that was really 'quickly stuck'... My Dodge rear works really well!
Old 03-01-2010, 11:48 AM
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Have the factory LSD in the rear and upfront I recently installed a Detroit TrueTrac which I got to put to the test this winter. Worked great!! I purposefully parked the truck on a dirt/gravel road that does not get plowed (did this for 2 snow storms up here, 1ft+ each time). Got in and drove it out.
Old 03-01-2010, 01:42 PM
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pls post link to Detroit TruTrac..

PUtting my truck into 4LOW is a job. The damned thing Grinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnds.
Old 03-01-2010, 02:36 PM
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link below...dodge HD front takes part #914A643, bolts in, only need to check your backlash.

http://www.eaton.com/EatonCom/Produc...trac/index.htm
Old 03-04-2010, 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by Lost Lake
Thanks for expounding on post #4. Your input made all the difference.

Just kidding....
Well I did at least lend the original poster a fact rather than a guess... the front IS open...


Just kidding....





Lord
Old 03-04-2010, 08:13 PM
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Originally Posted by bnold
Well I did at least lend the original poster a fact rather than a guess... the front IS open...


Just kidding....





Lord
Roger that! Thanks!!!
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