Dodge pickup with locking diff.

[Donald]

My 1999 Dodge pickup has a locking diff. according to the dealer who looked at the VIN. But it will not get out of its own way if there is any snow. Terrible in the snow. Not expecting it to perform like my Jeep.

So I am thinking the prior owner changed the diff. fluid but did not know (or care) that is had a locking diff. and neglected to add the Chrysler friction additive.

Would that explain why its so bad on snow?

I am going to change the diff. fluid anyway to Amsoil SVG and add the Chrysler friction additive.

 

[Chris142]

Either the friction discs are worn out or the diff got changed at some point to an open one. The LSD additive makes the clutches slip, w/o the additive they tend to be more grabby.

 

[RiceCake]

What Chris said. If you're getting a one-tire-fire likely the clutches in the LSD are worn out and need a tuneup or you don't have a LSD.

 

[bullwinkle]

How much weight in the bed, and how big are the rear tires? A 2WD Cummins Ram, empty, has one of the worst weight ratios of any pickup-1200 lbs of engine in the front, combined with 400-ish pounds of transmission, nothing in back-even posi won't help. Not sure on the additive, check your owner's manual-my '02 2500 Cummins Ram had a Dana 80 in back, did NOT need additive.

 

[durallymax]

Originally Posted By: bullwinkle
How much weight in the bed, and how big are the rear tires? A 2WD Cummins Ram, empty, has one of the worst weight ratios of any pickup-1200 lbs of engine in the front, combined with 400-ish pounds of transmission, nothing in back-even posi won't help. Not sure on the additive, check your owner's manual-my '02 2500 Cummins Ram had a Dana 80 in back, did NOT need additive.


Haha. Dodge auto weighs nowhere near 400lbs. Maybe 200 wet. One guy can throw the thing around.

 

[bullwinkle]

I'm used to my '02's NV5600-it weighed a LITTLE more than 400!

 

[Rand]

probably a combination of heavy front, light rear , poor tires.

large amount of torque

 

[Russ300H]

Is it 2WD or 4WD? I am assuming 2. I had a '97 Ram/Cummins with 5 speed. It was literally dangerous to drive on snowy roads. Torque is the main problem. The extra weight on the front end and lack of it in the rear exacerbates a problem common to most 2WD pickups. Before you add anything, jack up the back and hand turn one rear wheel (trans in neutral). If the opposite wheel turns in the same direction, you have sure-grip. If it turns in the opposite you don't. Once you take off the inspection cover, you can see the workings. My "long shot hunch" is that it still has the sure grip, but it isn't making much of a difference because of the factors mentioned above. Get some cinder blocks for the back and have good tread on your tires.

 

[Rand]

id recommend tube bags of sand over concrete blocks..

 

[Donald]

Its a 2 WD. I have it marked down as a Dana 70 rear axle 267 mm, LSD.

I don't carry a lot in the back, and currently the cap is off to get its rear window replaced.

The tires are in good shape, look like M&S.

I will check out the rear axle as people have suggested.

In reality I do not need to drive this if there is any snow, I can just drive the Jeep. I try to drive it once/week to discourage the mice from making it their winter home.

 

[NHGUY]

Sounds like one of the early prototype 'Cuda Hemis back in the day,a Chrysler employee took one home,and overnight there was a dusting of snow on the ground in the morning.Putting the car into gear it would not move an inch,the heavy engine up front and no rear end at all (the leaf springs actually protrude thru the rear valence) conspired to make one dangerously tail happy vehicle.

 

[morris]

if both tires are on snow or ice you will not get much more traction, even with posi. i know i had a posi put in my dakota last year. we just got 12 inchs of snow, i was out today so i know. but i could still do more than non-posi. chrysler doesnot call them "locking diff". 2001 dakota is called TRAC LOK.. A 1967 coronet is called SURE-GRIP. just just for info.

 

[Dakota1820]

Originally Posted By: morris
if both tires are on snow or ice you will not get much more traction, even with posi. i know i had a posi put in my dakota last year. we just got 12 inchs of snow, i was out today so i know. but i could still do more than non-posi. chrysler doesnot call them "locking diff". 2001 dakota is called TRAC LOK.. A 1967 coronet is called SURE-GRIP. just just for info.


Isnt posi one of the worst things to have in snow because the vehicle will want to go in circles

 

[Kruse]

Originally Posted By: Dakota1820
Originally Posted By: morris
if both tires are on snow or ice you will not get much more traction, even with posi. i know i had a posi put in my dakota last year. we just got 12 inchs of snow, i was out today so i know. but i could still do more than non-posi. chrysler doesnot call them "locking diff". 2001 dakota is called TRAC LOK.. A 1967 coronet is called SURE-GRIP. just just for info.


Isnt posi one of the worst things to have in snow because the vehicle will want to go in circles


Not if it is set up and working properly. They are not completely locked to each other and when going around a corner, one wheel is allowed to make more revolutions than the other. I have seen 4WD pickups get stuck because there is only one drive wheel on the front and only one drive wheel on the back.