My father in law and I were talking about 4x4 and rear diff lockers. He said that my truck, 01 Ram 4x2 360 should have one. He said you gotta back up about 10ft press firmly on the brake, then go forwards.

I'm a bit skeptical about this, but I did have a 98 Chevy K1500 that did have a rear locker that was engaged by pumping the brake pedal 3 times, and it really did work. But that truck was also 4x4 too.

Is there any truth to his idea on the 01 4x2?


Thanks

 

As far as I know none of the Dodge's had a locker from the factory. Some came with limited slip. You can look on the diff cover and there should be a little metal tag that will tell you if it came with limited slip. Another way to tell is to hit the gas from a dead stop and see if both back tires spin. I've never head of pumping the brake pedal 3 times to engage the locker. I have a locker in my Monte Carlo and it engages whenver I hit the gas hard enough.

 

To my knowledge, no full size trucks come from the factory with a locker in either axle. Now LSD, yes, but not a locker.

As far as "should" have one - well that all depends on if it was ordered with one specified or not. They are an OPTION on any full size truck (although certain packages like the GM Z71 package would automatically include a LSD).

Check the sticker in the glove box or the axle tag. If you strike out there, then order a build sheet and see if you have one.

You can also hit the gas on some slick grass and tell if you'll have a "one wheel spin" or not. The Mopar LSD isn't the best one out there though. Besides the dreaded "C-Clip" issue that shreds rearends, I've found they always needed a little "coaxing" to engage, by either depressing the brake slightly with the gas or applying a slight amount of e-brake...

 

With the Chevy when the rear was spinning I just had to pump (really more of a tap) the brake pedal 3 times and it engage something and both rears would spin at the same time.

I have done it several times and it really did work.

 

The chevy rear was a gov-lock differential. Once the difference in wheel speeds got to a certain point, it would lock. Tapping the brakes might have encouraged it to lock, but, they have no direct affect on the differential.

 

Well I checked the part list in the glove box:

DHA - Torque Converter - Lock -
DMB - Axle Ratio - 3.55
DRB - Rear Axle - Corporate 9

Sticker on Rear Axle by leaf's:

9.25 4x2 STD
3.55 Open Case

So I'm guessing a free spinner?

 

You have an open differiential. Easy to put a "lunch box" style locker in. You will experience some "tire wipe" when cornering, but you potentially will have more traction than say, a 4x4 with open diffs or even a rear factory LSD.