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4x4 with no limited slip?

I'm looking at a 2006 4x4, 4 cylinder, manual, with SR5 package. This does not have limited slip, and is not an option.

I live in southern Calif so seldom see rain or snow. Several times a year I might go to the ski areas, but then you primarily have fresh snow, and I'm just on the roads.

The main reason I'm looking at 4x4 is to go to hiking areas. Most of the areas I visit only require high clearance, but the occassion road is rated as recommended for 4x4.

So my needs are driving in fresh snow on roads, and on the easy end of off-road 4x4. It seems that even the TRD package does not have limited slip either, so given that I don't go on really crazy roads, I assume I would be ok without the limited slip or the locker that the TRD does have.

Do I have this right?

Reply to
dc.nc
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Yes. You are unlikely to need a limited or locking differential on the roads you describe.

Reply to
Ray O

Limited slip differentials are not particularly useful in situation where all the wheels are on equivalent surfaces. A limited slip might insure that both rear wheels spin, but they won't increase your total pulling power if both wheels are on surfaces with the same coefficient of friction. Both wheels spinning can actually be a disadvantage, since once they are spinning, sideways is just a good a direction as forward. If you are on any sort of a slope, or a highly crowned road, the rear end will just slide downhill when both rear wheels are spinning. Limited slips are useful in situations where the rear wheels are seeing drastically different conditions - like one wheel on ice and one on dry pavement, one wheel is in a mud hole and one is on solid ground, one wheel is in the air and one wheel is on the ground. I have farm tractors. All of my tractors have rear differential locks. In 30+ years I have never once had locking the rear differential save me from getting stuck. And on glare ice, limited slips can be positively dangerous. We had an ice storm a few years ago, and it was hilarious watching the trucks with limited slips trying to go up hills. I saw several have the rear end kick out and the trucks spin because both wheel broke loose. Meanwhile FWD cars were chugging up and down the same hills with no problem.

It sounds to me like you will be just fine without the limited slip.

Ed

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Reply to
C. E. White

When we hit bad road conditions on our week night skiing trips to Wrightwood or up highway 18 (your area too?) its usually ice. My buddy's lil front wheel drive Honda Accord scoots right past all the trouble spots for the 4x4's without problems or chains other than highway patrols chain checks. I guess it's the combination of skinny tires, weight and power to the front wheels or something. But that car sure works better without chains than any of the 4x4 trucks our friends drive work period.

Dan

Reply to
Danny G.

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