I have a 2009 5.7L CC 2WD with the 3.21 gear ratio. Unfortunately I got transferred to the NE from Texas about 2 months after i bought the truck or I never would have opted for this setup. Anyway, it's done surprising well this winter given the snow and ice, but tonight I got it stuck in ice on the hill in front of my house. I had my wife get in the driver's seat and went out to clear the tires and get traction to them.

When she gave it gas both rear wheels were spinning. I had the traction control off (well off for a 2WD), but since the truck doesn't have LSD, why would both wheels spin? If this is a function of the traction control, how is this different than having a full LSD?

Oh--and can anyone recommend a good shop to have the gearing changed in Northern Westchester Co or Putnam Co, NY (about 50 miles north of NYC) or CT? Not many 4WD shops in this neck of the woods.

 

i can't answer your question, but these are exactly the conditions traction control is designed for. why do you have it turned off? welcome to the north east! with two wheel drive, you are going to have to invest in good snow tires, studs if they are legal in ny.

 

As far as i understand...with an open diff power goes to the wheel that slips the most (ie easiest to put down power/least resisitance). You can try the lunch box locker method (applying brakes slightly) to transfer power to the other wheel... both wheels lacked traction which is why both were spinning according to my limited knowledge of pickups...

if im wrong someone please correct me

 

A good rear end will sometimes pull traction from both tires whether it's an LSD or not and some more that the others. I've never been inside of one of these rear ends but if it had spider gears, the tighter the shims the more even the pull. If they were welded, it would become a posi unit but there's no telling what's in today's 9.25. When they wear, the traction mostly goes to the right side of the rear and to the turning side in a turn.

 

In the 1500s only the 3.92 and 4.10 have LSD units. I had a 3.55 on mine and it was an open diff, but I've since changed it to 4.10 and an Auburn LSD. As for why both your wheels were spinning, I'd go with Capt & Radio's ideas.

 

Traction control really does work well on 2 WD. A plus for Chrysler on this one!

 

why is that?

 

I usually leave the traction control on because I find it useful in preventing fishtailing, however if I need to keep the tires spinning to try and get them to bite I have to turn it off or the power to the wheels is cut.

The truck in snow and some of this winter slop occassionally has trouble starting to get in motion (mostly on hills), but once it does it is very steady and remains under control. I'm still using the stock GoodYears, so I know that is more than half of my problem getting started.

 

subscribed

 

read that wrong, lol thought you said "doesn't work well"