These trucks have traction control, which applies the brakes to the slipping wheel(s) to transfer power to the other(s), so pretty much a brake activated LSD, which is what Nissan and Toyota use as opposed to a mechanical LSD. Granted it doesn't work as good as a mechanical LSD but it can and will get the job done in most cases. My truck is a 4x4 with the 3.55 open diff and I have no problems in mud, sand, snow... You guys shouldn't get too caught up on this LSD/locker issue unless you do or plan on doing lots of off roading in heavy mud.

 

Though you are correct, as a guy who lives in the mountains, (of NC) whenever you're going uphill and you lose traction, the open diff has no idea how to get you moving forward. My house is up a steep road that is covered in snow and ice right now. In 2wd i can sit there all day and spin tires and watch the little traction control light come on, but i wont move an inch. A friend of mind in an older Sierra with a locked rear diff can jam right up the same road in 2wd with no issue. I have to put mine into 4wd Lock to navigate my hills.

Just pointing out, brake activated traction control does you no good going uphill.

 

I have been saying that forever and no one seems to understand what I am talking about. Glad to see other people who actually understand that the esp is not ideal for heavy off road use.

 

The ESP isn't even good for on road use as far as a traction point of view is concerned. With that said, even with the oPen differential if you stay on the road there isn't really anywhere you can't go (on road) even in deep snow in 4 lock.

 

Yea I know the ESP isn't good for heavy off roading, I'm just saying I've never had any problems so far with light offroading and trails. I don't go too far off the beaten trail, though.

I do agree, a good LSD like a DTT or Auburn can only benefit you when towing, offroading, racing, etc... and at some point I will put one in, it's just not a priority right now.

 

I think as another user pointed out, the 3.55 is the perfect diff for somebody who lives in an urban area, e.g. 'city dweller'.

Then there's guys like me who will buy aftermarket diff parts to fix that logic. =]

 

I have 3.55 open gear, (most i`ve owned had open gear) and no problems gettin around. Learn how to drive is a good idea.
Nice to know, that in america, WE have options, but i dont think "city dweller" snow vs country snow are any different, BOTH have their momments regardless. I`ve seen just as bad of road conditions in citys as well as out in the back country. (sometimes its worse trying to drive in the city with ice and slush) Especially if its nothing but ice underneath the snow, no 4 wheel drive truck has the ability to get much traction, open gear vs LSD or not.

To each his/her own, buy what you think will get the job done for you.
If you`re getting stuck in the snow, then maybe you should re-think driving, period. Stuck is stuck folks, 4wd or not, some people just shouldnt be allowed to drive.

....now will somebody PLEASE turn the summer weather back on...???????

 

Meh, 3.21's work just fine in the county. 2wd works just fine in 20" of snow. Sometimes learning to drive is the best way to "fix" the problem. For those buying clutch type LSD's, just remember that the day you install it is the best it will ever work and it only gets worse from there.

 

That's why you spend the extra money to get a geared one like a Detroit Trutrac

 

Trutrac is almost like having no locker at all. If you want an actual locker then a Detroit Softlocker or one of the many lunch box lockers is the only way to go.