I have a 03 4x4QC w/ the 4.7 . I was looking through the older posts last night and found the ones about the rear-end disasters. I was wondering if there is any way to tell from the exterior of what gears i.e.LSD or open. thanks alot any and allhelp would be appreciated. I am getting ready to do my 60,000 mile service soon so i will visibly check if there is anything more that just shavings. But if i know that i have the problemed rear end i might decide to go another route (aftermarket LSD)

 

There should be sticker in your glove box that tells.
I have one in my 05 and it tells all the specs.

 

yeah look on the sticker inside of the glove box or just jack up the rear of the truck and spin one of the tires

 

Okay I looked at the sticker and it says its a "Corporate 9" w/ 3.55 gears I am still not sure if this is the factory LSD that is giving alot of people problems. Thanks ROB

 

Nope, no factory LSD. It's good because you are immune to the dreaded "c-clip" failure, however it's bad because you don't have near the traction you could with your 4x4.
If you've had it since '03 and have not had a need for it yet, odds are you will be happy with an open diff.
With the 3.55 open rear, it's obvious you don't tow a lot, aren't into speed, and don't do any serious off-roading, so you are probably fine right where you are.
If, however, you find you want/need a LSD then the two best aftermarket options are Auburn Gear or Richmond/Detroit.

 

and a side note on what hammer said....if you do decide to put in a aftermarket LSD, i would recommend the Detroit TruTrac simply because it's all gears rather than the Auburn which has clutchs and will wear down over time...but both units are great and you will not be disappointed with either

 

Well I havent owned it since 03. I bought it earlier this year and have yet to drive in snow with it but living in Idaho here shortly i will be driving in snow ALOT. When I got the truck it had aftermarket 22s with low pros, so I have never actually driven the truck when it was stock, I thought the preformance was pretty good for the 4.7. I have done some four wheeling but nothing hard core, no towing but I am always hauling my fourwheeler around with it and have done some pretty good loads of river rock in the bed. I guess I just dont really know what i am missing in the gearing aspect.What would be a better rear end gear for my truck w/ 33" tires? I do plan on buying a trailer next year but its not gonna be a big one probably 3500 lbs or so. Thanks guys for your input and advice.

 

I have an 06 big horn hemi qc, there is no sticker in the glove box, any other place i should look?

 

Glove box, or take the cover off. If it's an LSD, there will be broken metal parts in the bottom of the housing....

 

Like hemiyellow said, jack it up and spin the wheel. Count driveshaft spins for one tire spin, that is the gear ratio. If driveshaft spins 3 1/2 times, 3.55 gears. If it spins 4 times, 3.92s. If you spin one wheel forward and the opposite wheel spins forward as well, you have an LSD, if it spins backwards, no lsd.