Ram 1500 vs 5.3L Sierra

[Sir Ramcelot]

This would be for the mud and would prefer to have it locked before I get into trouble...

Do the standard 4x4 big horns have the limited slip or is that another package?

Only the e-locker is included when you add the ORP or you can option it by itself like you can with the anti-spin but neither is standard on any trim 4x4 or not.

 

[BigD]

My understanding is that anti-spin is automatic based on detected slippage so no user input required...fast acting response time in milliseconds. E-locker (manual in this case) required the user to turn it on in advance which won’t help hitting water, slick spot etc. If you know you’re in rough terrain etc. you can lock it in advance but not on the fly.

And can't use locking diff over 20 mph

 

[BigD]

Also my understanding is if u opp for the locking diff, u have open diff unless u push the button, which is only good at speeds under 20 mph.

 

[ktl5005]

Also my understanding is if u opp for the locking diff, u have open diff unless u push the button, which is only good at speeds under 20 mph.

That is correct. But with that said, there should be no issues driving in rain/snow with the open diff and auto 4wd with the brake TCS. In fact, most users can't even tell what is working, the TCS or the LSD.

 

[BigD]

That is correct. But with that said, there should be no issues driving in rain/snow with the open diff and auto 4wd with the brake TCS. In fact, most users can't even tell what is working, the TCS or the LSD.

My last 2 trucks have been open differential. I've never had a problem. I live in Minnesota. I use Auto 4wd when it snows. I don't know why people make LSD sound so awesome ? Like u said, they probably don't even know when it's working or not. I could see it being a more important feature if u have a 2wd truck, but then I don't understand why anyone would buy a 2wd truck ? Also I would never buy a Ford for the simple fact that u have to buy a Lariat or higher trim to get Auto 4wd. That should be standard on all trucks. Would never buy a Rebel either, for the same reason.

 

[Granite2WD]

My last 2 trucks have been open differential. I've never had a problem. I live in Minnesota. I use Auto 4wd when it snows. I don't know why people make LSD sound so awesome ? Like u said, they probably don't even know when it's working or not. I could see it being a more important feature if u have a 2wd truck, but then I don't understand why anyone would buy a 2wd truck ? Also I would never buy a Ford for the simple fact that u have to buy a Lariat or higher trim to get Auto 4wd. That should be standard on all trucks. Would never buy a Rebel either, for the same reason.

2 wheel drive trucks are cheaper to buy, maintain and run (mpg). Lighter weight means a little better hauling and towing. Finally, less FCA parts to go wrong.

I got a great deal on my 2wd because like you, most people in Ohio want a 4wd truck. Mine sat on the lot for over a year and a half.

With how far tire technology has come, along with all of the electronic driver aids, if you stay on the pavement, 2wd is fine for 99% of driving where I live. For the 1% of the time after a big snow, I just drive slower.

For people in the South, I'm sure there are some guys who think you need 4wd for the rain or grass clippings in the street, but others who would rather spend the money on something else. There aren't many places that snow like MN!

Also, I prefer the feedback of the rear wheels breaking loose on a slippery surface when accelerating, rather than finding out the road is slick when slowing down or turning. It's a nice warning to slow down and be careful. If 4wd helped with braking on ice/snow, I'd be more interested.

 

[YellowSled]

I recently moved from Maryland and I have always owned 4wd trucks up there. Never would I own a 2wd truck. Now in FL, my new ride will be a pavement queen. Rather spend the extra coin on some goodies and better option packages than on a 4wd system I will never use here. Different region, different uses. With that said, I still stand behind what I said earlier. LSD over locking rear u less you are rock crawling.

 

[WXman]

The manual says the e-locker will work to 40 MPH in low range, and 20 MPH in high range. And, if you exceed 20 and then return to <20 it'll automatically reconnect the locker. So, it would be a very useful traction aid in terrible weather or off road use.

As far as 4x2 vs 4x4, in my opinion they shouldn't even sell a 4x2. A two wheel drive pickup is the most useless vehicle money can buy in snow, ice, mud, heck I've seen them stuck on boat ramps trying to pull boats up out of the water. I've seen them stuck at the local soccer fields because the grass was wet. Just useless. The dealers here won't even order them.

 

[silver billet]

My last 2 trucks have been open differential. I've never had a problem. I live in Minnesota. I use Auto 4wd when it snows. I don't know why people make LSD sound so awesome ? Like u said, they probably don't even know when it's working or not. I could see it being a more important feature if u have a 2wd truck, but then I don't understand why anyone would buy a 2wd truck ? Also I would never buy a Ford for the simple fact that u have to buy a Lariat or higher trim to get Auto 4wd. That should be standard on all trucks. Would never buy a Rebel either, for the same reason.

The limited slip is an incremental improvement in traction control. Why wouldn't we be happy to have it?
- with open diffs on a 4x2 you have only 1 wheel with traction
- with open diffs on a 4x4 you have at most 2 wheels with traction
- with limited slip on a 4x4 you have at most 3 wheels with traction

The limited slip is awesome; always there when you need it.

As far as I know the Rebel doesn't offer limited slip, it comes with the manual locking diff instead, which makes sense on a more offroad oriented trim. If you never plan to offroad, the limited slip is the better choice.

 

[ktl5005]

The limited slip is an incremental improvement in traction control. Why wouldn't we be happy to have it?
- with open diffs on a 4x2 you have only 1 wheel with traction
- with open diffs on a 4x4 you have at most 2 wheels with traction
- with limited slip on a 4x4 you have at most 3 wheels with traction

The limited slip is awesome; always there when you need it.

As far as I know the Rebel doesn't offer limited slip, it comes with the manual locking diff instead, which makes sense on a more offroad oriented trim. If you never plan to offroad, the limited slip is the better choice.

As I said 99% of people would never know driving if the TCS is doing the work, or if the LSD kicked in.

 

[Biga]

The cost for the limited slip option was like $75. It was a no brainer to get it. I always had it on my 2wd trucks and never had any issues in the snow we had in Ohio. On my 4x4 it just makes it that much better and I never have had to use 4wd auto in the rain 2wd is just fine.

 

[silver billet]

As I said 99% of people would never know driving if the TCS is doing the work, or if the LSD kicked in.

Pretty sure you would. TCS uses the ABS, I can definitely hear it. But I'm also not sure what your point is; a feature can still be useful even if you can't tell when it activates, in fact that's the best part about LSD. Just like 4 auto, I don't really care when/if the front wheels are doing any work, I just know I have really great traction in winter road driving.

 

[Sir Ramcelot]

The cost for the limited slip option was like $75. It was a no brainer to get it. I always had it on my 2wd trucks and never had any issues in the snow we had in Ohio. On my 4x4 it just makes it that much better and I never have had to use 4wd auto in the rain 2wd is just fine.

I agree it's a no brainer to me but I wish it was only $75..haha. It's actually a $495 option and the Locker is $545.

 

[Sir Ramcelot]

Pretty sure you would. TCS uses the ABS, I can definitely hear it. But I'm also not sure what your point is; a feature can still be useful even if you can't tell when it activates, in fact that's the best part about LSD. Just like 4 auto, I don't really care when/if the front wheels are doing any work, I just know I have really great traction in winter road driving.

Exactly...the point is you don't know that it's working..it just works. My first truck was a 2009 Dodge Ram Laramie 4x2. I live in TX so I figured since I had no intention of doing any real off-roading or driving on the beach, wasting $3500 on 4x4 seemed silly. I will tell you that I had the LSD option on that truck and even in the rain when I stepped on it (had the HEMI) the rear wheels would break lose and skid and then LSD kicked in. The reason my 2014 Longhorn I ordered was 4x4 is that when I went to sell my 2009 privately, it took over a month and I can't tell you how many people wanted the truck until they realized it was a 4x2. I had one guy even go so far as to get pricing to upgrade the truck to a 4x4...haha. So one thing people haven't talked about is resale. The $3500 4x4 option returns 100% or more in value when you sell and FAR more people are looking for 4x4 trucks than 4x2 so why limit your market? The MPG difference is nominal....1 mpg-ish. The payment difference isn't much either. I'm not bashing 4x2 owners as I used to be one when I first started out but I learned it doesn't make sense hence why my 3rd truck will be a 4x4 as well.

 

[Cuppedup]

So would the LSD work just as well as the rear locker in super slick mud? The levees I drive on are maybe 10’ wide in some areas and get super slick. Sometimes the ruts are deep, but you primate I’ll need to worry about sliding off the levee. Would 4x4 and LSD be sufficient or would you want to use a locker in that situation?

 

[ColoradoCub]

LSD helps in mud, a Locker is a far better option for true off-roading in mud conditions.

 

[go-ram]

LSD over the locking rear any day, unless you are serious rock crawling.

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Until the clutches in the LSD wear out, right?
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[silver billet]

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Until the clutches in the LSD wear out, right?
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They won't. Maybe if you're doing severe off roading, in which case obviously the manual locking diff is the better option. And the poster you quoted pointed that out.

You can't blame a tool if it is used outside of how it was intended. The LSD is just for occasional offroad or bad traction on road. Within those parameters, it's a great feature.

 

[go-ram]

They won't. Maybe if you're doing severe off roading, in which case obviously the manual locking diff is the better option. And the poster you quoted pointed that out.

You can't blame a tool if it is used outside of how it was intended. The LSD is just for occasional offroad or bad traction on road. Within those parameters, it's a great feature.

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I wasn't knocking LSD, although I can see why my reply might make you think that.
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I think LSDs are fine, but my recollection (admittedly, from experience many years ago, cars not trucks) is that the clutches wear out, the LSD became inoperative, and many never even knew the LSD had worn out (until they needed it and it didn't function). People I know living at high elevations (snow, ice, mud, mountain offroad) that buy nothing but 4x4 trucks (from Tacomas up to HD Rams) have always recommended locking rear ends over LSDs.
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I'm not saying good or bad about LSDs, they certainly are appropriate in many, perhaps most, situations that most drivers encounter. I was jsut recalling that the popular wisdom was that the LSD clutches DO wear out.

 

[WXman]

My experience with LSD in snow is that it tends to push the rear end sideways rather than forward. I'm talking packed snow. Very slippery conditions. It's down right dangerous. Better off with open diff in that scenario.