Open Differentials vs. Traction Control vs. Lockers

[IdaSHO]

here is a video of a guy driving a truck with automatic front lockers, and open rear, on the icy Road, just watch it and see what happens. at the very beginning of the video he tries to turn right but he can't and ends up going down the hill.

 

[Happy Joe]

here is a video of a guy driving a truck with automatic front lockers, and open rear, on the icy Road, just watch it and see what happens. at the very beginning of the video he tries to turn right but he can't and ends up going down the hill.

That video seems to be a game NOT REALITY; might be ok for children.... that's 20 seconds of my life that I will never get back...

Here is some real world adult entertainnment (from a few years ago)
...showing what front wheel drive or 4 wheel drive can be worth in town.... (some times not much)...
IF you thought lockers always make all the difference; think again.
...Tried to find the Benny Hill version which I believe showed a Caddy with traction control successfully negotiating the bumper cars.

Enjoy!

 

[Happy Joe]

I don't let other people wheel my truck. Problem solved. I don't care about how num num's from SC drive when it's icy outside.

I think you're way overestimating what a good front autolocker does in a fullsize truck. It's hardly noticeable in snow. Maybe some more wheel feedback under power. It's not hard to get used to.

... the shorter the wheelbase the more obvious the negative aspects of auto lockers, often, seem to become, IMO; even the 10" wheel base difference between a CJ-5 and a CJ-7 was significant.

Enjoy!

 

[Buliwyf]

That vid.....sometimes you just need studded tires. Studs, cables, or chains, would have climbed right up that no problemo.

Studs are legal in Ohio, November to April. Cooper St Maxx studded on a 4wd truck would be unstoppable, and pretty much allow any diff combo you want.

 

[MOguy]

That video seems to be a game NOT REALITY; might be ok for children.... that's 20 seconds of my life that I will never get back...

Here is some real world adult entertainnment (from a few years ago)
...showing what front wheel drive or 4 wheel drive can be worth in town.... (some times not much)...
IF you thought lockers always make all the difference; think again.
...Tried to find the Benny Hill version which I believe showed a Caddy with traction control successfully negotiating the bumper cars.

Enjoy!

That video seems to be a game NOT REALITY; might be ok for children.... that's 20 seconds of my life that I will never get back...

Here is some real world adult entertainnment (from a few years ago)
...showing what front wheel drive or 4 wheel drive can be worth in town.... (some times not much)...
IF you thought lockers always make all the difference; think again.
...Tried to find the Benny Hill version which I believe showed a Caddy with traction control successfully negotiating the bumper cars.

Enjoy!

That video is based on a real event, where a guy had front auto lockers and had a problem.

 

[Buliwyf]

Actually the UPS truck was nearby, and the locker was still in the box being delivered, and it caused all of that.

 

[Metcalf]

That video is based on a real event, where a guy had front auto lockers and had a problem.

No, that is a video game, come on.

 

[MOguy]

No, that is a video game, come on.

Yes but one based on a real event with a front selectable locker and open rear end.

 

[Metcalf]

Yes but one based on a real event with a front selectable locker and open rear end.

Did you even watch the video you posted? It shows nothing relevant to real life.
Short version......drive really fast off a cliff. There is nothing technical or realistic about it.
I honestly can't take you seriously if this is your only argument.

 

[MOguy]

Did you even watch the video you posted? It shows nothing relevant to real life.
Short version......drive really fast off a cliff. There is nothing technical or realistic about it.
I honestly can't take you seriously if this is your only argument.

He did not mean to drive down the hill on purpose he wanted to go right at the very beginning but couldn't because of his auto lockers. You might have to watch it again.

 

[Metcalf]

He did not mean to drive down the hill on purpose he wanted to go right at the very beginning but couldn't because of his auto lockers. You might have to watch it again.

It's a video game. Two posts ago you said it was a locked front selectable locker? I can't take you seriously when the best example you have is a crappy one like this. As others have mentioned, it does take some driver skill to operate a vehicle. Mash the gas and expect miracles isn't what I would call relevant, especially in a video game.

 

[Metcalf]

Yes but one based on a real event with a front selectable locker and open rear end.

He did not mean to drive down the hill on purpose he wanted to go right at the very beginning but couldn't because of his auto lockers. You might have to watch it again.

Which one is it?

 

[Metcalf]

Front lockers have their place, but don't pretend a front locker + open rear is the best option, cause it isnt.



Sure glad we all have you.

I'm sure you alone will reinvent how physics works, therefore redefining OEM offerings

When an OEM outfits a front locker on a mass produced vehicle with an open rear diff, be sure to let me know.

If you want better odds, just name one vehicle with OEM lockers that allows you to lock just the front.

Oem manufacturers don't let you use them in high range either. Locking diffs could never be useful in high range.....sure....

They have to build to the lowest possible driver skill level because of threads like this. I can't count the times I've had to coach new Rubicon owners on the trail in how and when to use lockers. Or when not to, because they try to leave them on all the time.

 

[nickw]

I don't understand how driving the vehicle 2300+ miles isn't applicable.....in winter....in the snow? How much further do you want me to drive? Do you want me to drive it every day, because I have done that too.
I'm not just 'road tripping' as you put it, I build these vehicles to be driven every day. I live in the mountains of Colorado at 7000ft. We had 5 feet of snow at my house this winter.

I think 99% of the people are just regurgitating what they read on the internet by a 'famous' person and calling it gospel.

If open/open work for you by all means go ahead. Most people that don't really push their vehicles off-road would agree that is a good way to go. People are the most faminilar with driving that system and it 'feel' very normal to them. Everything I have been talking about is an evaluation of what works better/worse for the '3 wheel drive' issue. I've laid out all the plusses and minuses of the various systems. I OWN both systems ( auto/selectable and selectable/selectable) and drive them both extensively.

I'm curious if you have actually TRIED any of these different combos?

I don't have much to add that others haven't already said but will just clarify....any "icy" road you can take a rig like that on, with those tires, doesn't qualify as "icy" in my world. I'm sure that thing does great in fresh hardpack or deep packed / loose snow, but the ice over snow base we get here, with our hills, leaves any rig without snow tires on the side of the road or in the garage, particularly short wheelbase jeeps with wide mud tires. You'd have a fighting chance with a pair of all-terrains, but even those, when it gets bad, are a liability....nevermind all that WITH a locker.

Glad it works for ya, seems like it does, I'm done, over and out.....

 

[Buliwyf]

Average of 3'', to max 20" per year isn't exactly the ''snow belt''. I get 24" in one weekend, 4 wheel drifting every wide turn.

I suppose people with a lack of snow experience should stick with open diffs on the street. Nobody is arguing against snow, or studded tires. Except you do have to balence that even. True snowtires are useless in mud, and some patterns aren't so hot in heavy rain. Big long fullsize? I'd prefer studded hybrids. Although Mastercraft makes a studdable MT now.