Snow and ice with locked rear differential
 

I'm currently running a Powertrax No-Slip in the rear of my 97 TJ. I'm
wondering what to expect when I try to drive on snow and ice. Fortunately,
I live in eastern North Carolina and usually we only get a few bad days a
year, but I want to be prepared. I'm also thinking about putting another
locker in the front diff. Will this help or hurt "bad weather" handling
over my current set up? Thanks for all the advice in
advance.................

Rob

Re: Snow and ice with locked rear differential
 

A locked vehicle will act very different in snow and especially on ice.
With all wheels spinning, the vehicle tends to slide sideways especially in
any off camber position. A locked front can cause you to loose steering
control in some situations. IMHO the best setup for highway snow and ice is
limited slip in the rear and open in the front. With open or limited slip
axles, the un-locked wheel acts as a plow to keep the vehicle moving in the
proper direction. The only advantage to a front and rear locked vehicle is
that if you do get into a ditch (or other trouble) you have a better chance
of getting out. They are also better in deep snow (a foot or more).

Don't put a locker in the front if just for snow and ice. They are great
for off-road and rock crawling!

--
JimG
80' CJ-7, 258 CID
35" BFG MT's on 15x10 Centerlines
4.56 D30-D44 SOA
D300 w/4:1 & Currie twin sticks
Warn 8000i w/dual batteries
LockRight F&R


"Rob" <skyshark@pleasereplyhere.com> wrote in message
news:6ZsFb.180675$I53.7601959@twister.southeast.rr .com...
> I'm currently running a Powertrax No-Slip in the rear of my 97 TJ. I'm
> wondering what to expect when I try to drive on snow and ice.
Fortunately,
> I live in eastern North Carolina and usually we only get a few bad days a
> year, but I want to be prepared. I'm also thinking about putting another
> locker in the front diff. Will this help or hurt "bad weather" handling
> over my current set up? Thanks for all the advice in
> advance.................
>
> Rob
>
>

Re: Snow and ice with locked rear differential
 

A locked vehicle will act very different in snow and especially on ice.
With all wheels spinning, the vehicle tends to slide sideways especially in
any off camber position. A locked front can cause you to loose steering
control in some situations. IMHO the best setup for highway snow and ice is
limited slip in the rear and open in the front. With open or limited slip
axles, the un-locked wheel acts as a plow to keep the vehicle moving in the
proper direction. The only advantage to a front and rear locked vehicle is
that if you do get into a ditch (or other trouble) you have a better chance
of getting out. They are also better in deep snow (a foot or more).

Don't put a locker in the front if just for snow and ice. They are great
for off-road and rock crawling!

--
JimG
80' CJ-7, 258 CID
35" BFG MT's on 15x10 Centerlines
4.56 D30-D44 SOA
D300 w/4:1 & Currie twin sticks
Warn 8000i w/dual batteries
LockRight F&R


"Rob" <skyshark@pleasereplyhere.com> wrote in message
news:6ZsFb.180675$I53.7601959@twister.southeast.rr .com...
> I'm currently running a Powertrax No-Slip in the rear of my 97 TJ. I'm
> wondering what to expect when I try to drive on snow and ice.
Fortunately,
> I live in eastern North Carolina and usually we only get a few bad days a
> year, but I want to be prepared. I'm also thinking about putting another
> locker in the front diff. Will this help or hurt "bad weather" handling
> over my current set up? Thanks for all the advice in
> advance.................
>
> Rob
>
>

Re: Snow and ice with locked rear differential
 

A locked vehicle will act very different in snow and especially on ice.
With all wheels spinning, the vehicle tends to slide sideways especially in
any off camber position. A locked front can cause you to loose steering
control in some situations. IMHO the best setup for highway snow and ice is
limited slip in the rear and open in the front. With open or limited slip
axles, the un-locked wheel acts as a plow to keep the vehicle moving in the
proper direction. The only advantage to a front and rear locked vehicle is
that if you do get into a ditch (or other trouble) you have a better chance
of getting out. They are also better in deep snow (a foot or more).

Don't put a locker in the front if just for snow and ice. They are great
for off-road and rock crawling!

--
JimG
80' CJ-7, 258 CID
35" BFG MT's on 15x10 Centerlines
4.56 D30-D44 SOA
D300 w/4:1 & Currie twin sticks
Warn 8000i w/dual batteries
LockRight F&R


"Rob" <skyshark@pleasereplyhere.com> wrote in message
news:6ZsFb.180675$I53.7601959@twister.southeast.rr .com...
> I'm currently running a Powertrax No-Slip in the rear of my 97 TJ. I'm
> wondering what to expect when I try to drive on snow and ice.
Fortunately,
> I live in eastern North Carolina and usually we only get a few bad days a
> year, but I want to be prepared. I'm also thinking about putting another
> locker in the front diff. Will this help or hurt "bad weather" handling
> over my current set up? Thanks for all the advice in
> advance.................
>
> Rob
>
>