OK, I have a '97 1500 with the 5.2L (318cid), the 4-spd automatic trans, and 3.55:1 rearend. I don't have a sure grip or locker, but my understanding of how these things work is that if one wheel starts spinning or is rolling easily, power is redistributed to the other side and both wheels are powered. Well, this works, sometimes... When I am parked in grass, sand, or gravel, and I get on it, both tires spin equally. When I am on pavement or some other hard surface, only the passenger side wheel spins (If I am lucky, the driver side spins, but at a much slower rate...) - this is assuming I am in "Drive." When I shift into "Reverse," most of the power is supplied to the driver side wheel, however, even the slightest touch of throttle and both wheels spin. I tested this by raising both rear wheels off the ground and allowing them to spin without any friction or resistance from the ground to stop them. So here's what I wanna know; is there any type of adjustment that can be made to make both wheels spin closer to equally? Perhaps tightening the bindings on the gears? My truck has 250,000 miles on it, I'm sure there is a little give in those old gears. I have heard that some rearends have a clutch pack in them, similar to an automatic transmission, but that does not seem to be the case on mine. Is there anything that can be done, save of a complete rearend replacement, to get this effect?

 

I think what you want is the effect of limited slip. My 4x4 has that from the factory. From what you said it seems you have the regular rear end. You can test his by lifting the rear end off the ground with the truck out of gear. Spin the rear wheel. both tires should be going in the same direction. Thats limited slip. If you spin it and the other tire goes in a dif direction its the regular rear end. I have never heard of anything cheap to make limited slip. From everything I hear you need to get new parts. Its not cheap either between the parts and having someone install them correctly you will be out 400-600 bucks. I'd just buy a newer truck with everything in it you what. Id try to find one with 30-40k on it. Save some cash that way.

Good luck

 

With an open diff the wheel that isn't slipping gets as much torque as it takes to make the opposite one spin. Period. There's no tightening them up.

With a limited slip your tires still won't always spin at the same rate, which is why they're limited slip. Most offer between 2:1 and 4:1 ratios, meaning one tire could have as much as four times as much torque applied to it as the other.

Now I could be wrong, but I believe the old lift it and spin test isn't exactly accurate, as limited slips should act like they're open until the clutches heat up and grab.

 

I would have to agree with that. if the clutch wears down the tires will spin like an open diff. the best way to check if you have one is to open it up or get a sheet from the dealer.

 

 

Yes, that's what I want and what I was assuming as well. Thanks.

You had limited-slip from the factory you said? What model is it? What is the possibility of finding a limited-slip rear at a junk yard? Did they make any with 3.55:1s?

 

yea hey zeek, what does it say on for that option. im almost positve that i have one but it doesnt say it on the sheet. there only a few ones with a code and then it says no more information.

 

for what it's worth, after reading the above discussion I went and checked out my window sticker from my 98 1500 4x4 (i got it new) and it says under options: axle anti spin differential
it was a $285 option.

so I am assuming that's mopar's term for limited-slip

hopefully,

 

that is correct.
you might need new clutches for it to tighten it back up if it isn't performing up to par though. They do wear out. If you go to the dealer they might try to sell you a whole new rear end.

www.ringpinion.com

 

I suppose each truck might be dif but I jacked mine up today after it had been sitting for about 2 hours. I turned the rear tire clockwise and the other tire went the same way. I am not crazy.

I did this a few months ago when i read another member mention it as a test.



cheers

Oh here is the build sheet I got when i emailed dodge.


What your looking for is this...... DSA Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle

I wish the other owner would have bought it with more options but....



S9C3 Deluxe Cloth 40/20/40 Bench Seat
APAS Monotone Paint
A03P 5.2L ENG(ELF)/5SPD M/T TRANS(DDC)
BAUS 117 Amp Alternator
BCES 600 Amp Maintenance Free Battery
BGJS Pwr Disc/Drum Rr Anti-Lock Brakes
BKAS 11x2 Rear Drum Brakes
CBEP 40/20/40 Split Bench Seat
CGDS Front Height Adjust Shoulder Belts
CGWS Next Generation Front Air Bags**
CGZS Passenger Air Bag On/Off Switch
CKJS Black Vinyl Floor Covering
CSPS Passenger Assist Handle
CUVS Behind Seat Modular Storage System
CUYS Storage Tray
DBBC All Manual Transmissions
DDC 5-Speed HD Manual Transmission
DHKS Shift-on-the-Fly,231HD Transfer Case
DJCS Dana M44/216MM Front Axle
DMDP 3.55 Axle Ratio
DRBP Corporate 9.25 LD Rear Axle
DSA Anti-Spin Differential Rear Axle
EAAC All Engines
EAGC All Gas Engine
ELF 5.2L V8 MPI Engine
GACS Tinted Glass Windows
GJDS Rear Fixed Window
GNAS Rear View Day/Night Mirror
GPUS Manual 6 x 9 Black Mirrors
GVAC All Vehicles W/O Power Mirrors
HCAS Heater
HGBS Dash Liner Insulation
JAYS Instrument Cluster w/Tach
JDCS 200 KPH Primary Speedometer
JHAS Var Intermittent Windshield Wipers
JJAS Cigar Lighter
JJBS Dual Note Electric Horns
JJJS 12V Auxiliary Power Outlet
KRAS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
KTAS STRIPE/BADGE/MOLDING/COLOR
LAPP Shift Indicator Warning Lamp
LDAS Underhood Lamp
LMKS Daytime Running Headlamps
LPES Cargo Lamp
MBFS Bright Rear Bumper
MCTS Bright Front Bumper
MDAS Front License Plate Bracket
MFDS Bright Grille
MHAS Black Windshield Moldings
MWDS Removable Tailgate w/Caliper Latches
MXBS Front Air Dam
NAA Federal Emissions
NBKP EVAP Control System
NFWS 26 Gallon Polyethylene Fuel Tank
NHKS Engine Block Heater
PB3A Intense Blue Pearl Coat
QB3S Intense Blue Pearl Coat
RAAC All Radio Equipped Vehicles
RASS AM/FM Cassette Radio
RCDP 4 Speakers
RDDP Fixed Long Mast Antenna
SBAS Power Rack and Pinion Steering
SCBS 2-Spoke Steering Wheel
SFBS Front Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SGBS Rear Heavy Duty Shock Absorbers
SHAS Front Stabilizer Bar
TBBS Full Size Spare Tire
TBMP Tire Carrier Winch
TR8S P225/75R16 BSW All Season Tires
TZAP Goodyear Brand Tires
WDKS 16X6.5 Steel Wheels
WLBP Steel Spare Wheel
WLYC All Steel Wheels
WMCP Bright Wheel Trim Rings
WMJP Chrome Center Hub
XBSS Pickup Box
XCMS Supplier - Sweptline Box - Pemsa
YACS Build To Canada Market Specification
YGAA Without Billable Fuel
ZERP Spring - Left Rear
ZHBP Spring - Left Front
ZTRP Spring - Right Rear
ZWAP Spring - Right Front
Z6AS GVW/Payload Rating
1ABS Canada Dealer Retail
125S Zone 25-Canada-Alberta
2TAA Customer Preferred Package 2TA
23A Customer Preferred Package 23A
3VCA Customer Preferred Discount
4KZS 4X4 Tracking
4XA Air Conditioning Bypass
6CSS Label - Canada Specifications
6F3 Paint Order Code
678S Alberta Province Code

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