I have a 2004 4x4 2500 Dodge (Yes I know that this is a Chevy site, but the basic problem exists across all trucks). After buying my truck I noticed that mine had an open differential (I just assumed that it was a 4x4 and had the Anti-Spin differential). Well, took it to the service manager and got a quote to install Anti-Spin differential at around $1400-1500. Looks like I'll just wait for lockers to come available.



So in the mean time, I'm looking for some advice/suggestions on how best to handle off road situation (largely navigating through mud) with and open diff. Hunting season is about to begin, and where I go there are some pretty tough terrain that we have to go through to get to our camping spot. Having an open diff I realize that if wheel slippage starts to occur, that I'm probably only going to have 1 wheel in the back, and 1 up front spinning.


So what advice would you give to ensure that 2 wheels are always spinning, when going through mud or crossing ruts?


PS DieselPlace doesn't have a 4x4 forum, so I figured this was the most logical place to postEdited by: djp9747

Find an offroad shop, they will hook you up better with a locker than the dealer would, and for a lot less. I don't know where you are from, but here in the Dallas area, there are a bunch to choose from. As far as off roading with an open rear, I would keep in to 2wd until forward motion stops, then use the 4wd to back out of the mess and give it another go. Good luck with it!

Reineke, I'm actually in DFW. Problem is that there are NO locker available for the American Axle 11.5 that comes on my truck.

It looks like I have been proven wrong. It also looks like you have more time in - in research than I. I have also found that there is no aftermarket supplier for this axle as far as lockers go which really surprises me. Have you checked salvage yards yet like "LKQ"? they seem to have quite an inventory and have a house just south of DFW. There are some more, but my memory is failing now. Have you checked with just buying the part from Mopar and having a 4x4 shop install it? That may be a cheaper route I think. One of the places I read stated that the locker may be around $500 to purchase but they weren't for sure. It won't take long to set up the gears (if done by someone with experience) so labor should not be too much. With the limited knowledge I have with the American Axle Man. I would think that what you want done should all be under $1000. Sorry for speaking without having all of my facts. Good Luck!

I was somewhat surprised that a limited slip diff wasn't the panecea I had hoped. Like yourself, campsite was many miles off paved roads and snow was slushy. In 2wd, on a low point sharp curve, both rear wheels wanted to spin, the fronts were seeing the added resistance of mush and the truck almost, almost went sideways into the aspens.


IMO, for 2wd, an open would be better because the nonspining wheel would serve to stabilize from side motion. But, if, limited slip/locked, then 4wd pulling in front would be likely to forestall fishtailing should both rears break traction.

I learned long ago that LSD's and lockers can be very nasty on snowy and icy roads. I have been plowing snow for nearly 20 years and none of my trucks have had a LSD in them (I got them that way specaily) and I have never really missed or wanted it either though a manually selectable locker would be viable. Also, I believe that Eaton make a LSD for the axle used in that Dodge at start of thread. Installing one is pretty easy actually. You just measure backlash before removing carrier for swap, reset the preload and backlash to same values and roll. Dealer s ripping you off big time in the quote. You should be able to get the LSD unit for under 5 bills and 2 to 300 dollars labor tops to get it installed as it is a lot easier to do than a gear ratio change.

Tires make the biggest difference in off road traction.


Try ridding the brakes whele going through tough spots, it will help keep one side breaking free. Or try the momentum approach to wheeling otherwise known as the banzi approach. Sometimes with limited traction you gota use momentum to get through spots.


Get some tow straps(a tree saver too, shackles ect.), carry a cell phone, and hilift jacks(by a hi lift not a copy) can help and are pretty cheap.


IMO a diff is not something for the novice to play with.


The number 1 rule to wheeling IMO is dont go alone.

The number 1 rule to wheeling IMO is dont go alone.

Not bad advise and also it helps to thoughly "look" before you "leap" into a bad spot

Thats excellent too.....was a time if me and a bud woulda taken about 4 more steps we woulda been up to our knees in goo but at least woulda known how soft it really was up ahead. Boy did we have a time getting that truck unburriedhttp://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Pinch.gif

Where's Hoot, he's an expert on these Dodges now!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where's Hoot, he's an expert on these Dodges now!!!!!!!!!!!!

They are all (except Ford) starting to use the same rear drive axles though in bigger P/U's so brand does not matter here. I do not like Dodge much but the beefed up AAM front axle in the 04's and 05's makes the GM and Ford front axle look much weaker in comparision,(and they are too) it is MASSIVE. Now if they would just add old fashioned lockout hubs to it, I might even consider one next time I am in the market for a truck.

Snoman do you know a joke when you see it?

Snoman do you know a joke when you see it?

Yes, I knew it was and if you read my response you would know that I did not "buy" into the comment before my post.