I have an 09QC SLT 4x4 with the 4.7. I have read through the threads about the LS rear ends and still am not quite sure I understand all the in's and out's, so I thought I would just ask the braintrust.


I have posted this in another forum, and figured I might receive better information here.

Basically, I had a 2000 Dakota Sport Quad cab 4.7. This truck was BY FAR the best truck I have ever driven as far as traction in the snow. I could drive that truck offroad, uphill, through feet of snow. Do 65 down the interstate in a blizzard, and even plowed driveways towards the end of its life, and I could not get this truck to slide or get stuck EVER, even if I tried.

So fast forward, and the truck finally started to rust out on me, and I figured it was time to get a new truck. I was so impressed with that truck I bought a brand new Ram 1500 4x4 quad. I figured same truck, just a little bigger.... WRONG
This Ram is the biggest POS I have ever owned as far as traction. If its raining I had better stock up on supplies because I'll probably get stuck in my driveway if we get some fog in the morning. No really, its that bad. It has the ESP traction control system, and decent tires, so I figured there has to be a mechanical reason why this truck is so bad compared to that Dakota.( size, weight, rear end)

If I try to get into my driveway with 1 inch of snow, I can feel the traction system kick on, almost like the feeling of ABS in the pedal So at 1 inch of snow, the tires are breaking loose to the point where it thinks that the truck is out of control. This is while doing an impressive 3 MPH in my driveway mind you. So I decided to do my homework and found out that I could disable the ESP button, and decided to give this a try. Our last snowstorm, we had about 3 inches of snow, I shut off the button, and took a little trip down our interstate. At about 40 miles an hour, the rear end came around on me so bad that I was going down the road completely sideways, BUT I'M IN 4 HI, AND ONLY 3 INCHES OF SNOW. Ok turn the ESP back on.

Now before people beat me up about road conditions,tires, or anything other than the truck. Let me just say, I live in upstate NY. (winter driving is SOP) I have plowed either for myself, or other people, for the last decade, and have owned multiple 4x4's of every make, size, and type since the 70's. From mid 2000's F250's, to K5 Blazers, to Chevy short box's to that Dakota. This truck is the worst.

So I an coming to you guys to ask what you think could be the issue. I have already tried turning off the ESP. I don't mind leaving it on , but when it kicks in, it drops out tire speed and torque. I'm sure that it is some kind of safety feature but there are definitely times you want momentum and your tires moving as not to get stuck. But when this detects slippage, it kind of ratchets the tires. I wondered about the differences that there may be in the rear ends. From what I've read, my truck may have come with a type of rear end that never goes posi, and I don't know what the Dakota had, but this might be the reason.

So what say you? Any suggestions? I am not saying that I want this to be a plow truck (that is another thread all together. But possibly a back up in case my plow truck breaks down) But compared to the type of traction I am used to, it seems like it would literally not be possible to use a truck with this set up for plowing. Can I convert the rear end to something that goes Posi?

What say you

 

Well, my guess is its several things, first off the new ram is lower than your old DAK i think, second probably a longer wheel base, third the traction control may not be helping you with deep snow.., and 4th is TIRES and the biggest thing of all.. Good tires will do wonders in deep snow and ice.

 

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No help here. However, I had an '05 DAK that was worthless in soft sand unless I put her in 4WD. With my new RAM I am going places in 2WD that my old DAK would've gotten stuck. I have semi-aggressive tires on the RAM same as the DAK. What kind of tires are you presently running? I turned of my ESP and started fishtailing.

 

I don't know what your area is like, but my truck doesn't have that much problem in the snow. We had over 12" of snow fall in one night and the truck handle it with out much trouble. We also had a winter rain storm that lasted for three day that covered all the streets with ice , handle that just fine. If I had to say anything regarding the traction is the tires. I have never like the the Wrangler tires, its one of the reason I'll replace them year.

 

First thing is that you need to make sure what gears you have before you worry about a posi rear end since if you have the 3.92 gears then you already have a limited slip diff. Second is tires, I have gotten around fine with my stock wranglers but it hasn't been the easiest. I will be getting a set of the goodyear wrangler silent armor tires when mine wear out since I have had good luck with them in the past and also the fact that they carry the mountain snowflake symbol which means they are a very capable snow tire.

 

Is there an easy to figure out which rear end I have?

 

Look at the sticker on the door, or in the engine compartment it should tell what you have. Also if you have the window sticker that lists everything on the truck it should say it.

 

Just b/c you have 392 does not mean that you have the anti-spin set up.

 

sure, just get under the truck, you have a 4x4 so it is on a tag on the front diff cover as well as on the rear axle to the right of the diff. Also, I have never seen the 3.92 without the limited slip or anti spin as Dodge calls it.