Hey guys, I've been reading about our trucks that have LSD in the differentials having catastrophic failiors and I was starting to get freaked out. I just bought a 2004 4x4 quad cab SLT that had a lot of the extra options on it. I wanted to use this truck to pull a camper and of course my family riding in the truck...I couldn't see me doing that and feel safe with what I read about those axle failiors. I could only imagine what would happen if I had my 2 boys and wife with me pulling a camper at 65-70 mph and the rear axle lock up. So I researched and researched and couldnt really figure out if my truck came with LSD. So it just hit me and I was like DUH! Try a burnout and see if both wheels spin. I did and only one wheel would spin. I know that it could still possibly be a LSD that has just worn out but it would seem there would be some sort of noise or something coming from the rear if that was the case? Maybe?
I'm due for a gear oil change here soon so when I open it up that will verify the LSD or not I guess. But still it makes me feel more confident that it's an open rear end.

 

Check your build sheet, it would say anti-spin differential if it has the oem LSD.

 

Yep i would put the clutch retainer clips (even though i had no issues with mine) up there with the factory Y pipe as POS.

 

Easiest/quickest way to find out FOR SURE is to go to a dealer with your VIN# and ask them to print you a build sheet. Should take less than 5 minutes. Or, if you don't want to drive there, you can fill out this form and it'll take about a day.

 

You can't really tell just by a "one wheel peel" because the stock LSD aside from the clip issue is one of the poorest I've seen. The bias is really low so a lot of times you have to slightly apply brake or a tad of e-brake just to get it to engage.

Get a build sheet - it's free and will tell you EVERYTHING the truck came with from the factory...

 

Sweet! I was able to call dodge and the guy took my vin and found out it did not come with LSD. I think their hours were like 8am to 8pm and I called them at 7:40pm. I requested a build sheet too so hopefully it will be here soon. Man that is a relief, I thought I was gonna have to put quite a bit of money into the rear end.

 

I have the same year and no lsd. Took me a while to verify it though. There is a label in the glove box that should say if it is lsd or not. A build sheet will tell as well. I got my build sheet online by emailing someone with my vin. It is also helpful to go to the dodge owners site and register your vin and pull up info.

I bought my ram new, a month after buying my first rv. I am on my third rv and have 95k on my truck. So i have been towing for the life of the truck. So far, the only 2 parts that have failed on it are the egr valve and the washer fluid pump. Both easy fixes.

 

And keep in mind while it is "common" for 4.7s to have over heating issues, not all do. My point is not all LSDs have issues either.

But inspection and maintenance are your BEST defense.

 

With all this being said...dodge said i have a lsd but on my axle its says i have a trac-lock..i dont get it

 

I don't think the 4.7s over-heat anymore than any other engine. It's the materials/design of that engine that doesn't allow it to withstand even mild over-heats - temps that most engines can handle with no issue - that's the issue with the 4.7 - EVERY 4.7 (and 3.7 for that matter). This makes what you said "inspection and maintenance" even more important when it comes to the cooling system when you have these engines.

Also, I just see too many LSDs fail (retaining clips) - yes some at relatively higher mileage than others, but I'm of the opinion that a clip or clips are gonna fail at some point - it's basically inevitable.

Least ways - that's how I see it, 'Weed...