Ok, this is my first diesel, and last night we got the first batch of what I would consider slick streets.

IT IS WAY DIFFERENT TO DRIVE A DIESEL THAN A GASSER!

You can barely touch the accelerator without the back tires spinning due to the instantanious torque the engine puts out. Then, if the back end steps out on you going around a corner or as you hit a slick spot, the engine doesn't immediatley rev down when you lift. On a gasser, when you lift, you can immediately feel the truck come back into line. On the diesel, it continues to rev UP and step out for a second before coming back into line.

Guess I'll get use to it eventually, but right now I don't like it. I would rather have my old HEMI back for the winter. Of course come spring when its time to tow again I'd be sorry.

 

The answer is weight!! Also 4X4!!
When things are real slick, I keep a hand free to grab 4 hi until I get it rolling, then back to 2 hi.

 

It's a good idea to put it in 4h BEFORE you need it. That gives it time to lock everything up. Avoids strange clunking and grinding noises!

OMAHA! Hey fellow Husker dude!

Just a question, why don't you like to use 4x4? With that big engine up front that baby will go anywhere....almost...well at least 50 farther down the road than 2x4. Seriously though, with the snow we just had put that baby in 4h and ......... Drive it like you stole it!

How are your tires?

 

the compression braking is scary when it comes to the icy stuff...and the excessive amounts of torque.

 

You did not just type "excessive amounts of torque" did you?

 

He meant to finish the sentence with....and the excessive amounts of torque is really cool but not enough.

 

bigfoot, loch ness monster, smart yankee, and excessive amounts of torque do not exist

 

Yep, you went to the same school I did.

 

Just letting the brake pedal out has had me wandering sideways a few times.

On really slippery stuff you have to feather or pump the brake pedal to get the back tires to catch.

USE 4 Wheel High, as stated earlier.

 

You paid extra for 4 wheel drive, use it. Then you can let all 4 tires sling stuff around!

 

I also have noticed there isn't a "not slippery enough for 4wd". My wife's Suburban will go just about anywhere without locking it in (42 gallon fuel tank right behind the rear wheels), but no pick up, and especially these, does very well due to the light weight in the rear. If it bugs you that much, you might try 8 of those 70lb. tubes of sand, that'll help. I did that last year, and after awhile it occured to me that in a frontal collision, those suckers would probably be coming in the back window. I just use the 4 wd I paid for now.

 

I wish my truck had excessive amounts of torque.

For now I'll have to do with what's realistic. I mean really there's limits on how much to spend, this and that, why not be oposite, why not put limits on how low it shouldn't alloud to go

 

I like the turbo bark I get when I let out of the throttle when I start getting sideways

 

Also MIGHT be worth mentioning....keep the boxes turned off on the slippery stuff. I know with my Ramifier, whether on dry, the slickery stuff, or for that matter in traffic, the additional fuel kinda acts like a sticky go pedal, and that can be a handful.
I also think that the fact the Ram chassis flexes just about as much as a locomotive can work against ya on the slick. My wifes little 6 banger Jimmy chassis flexes like a snake til it finds traction...not so with our trucks.
Mike