Limited slip or locker for winter?

[06RangerXLT]

so i just looked it up, and i have an r5 axle. which is a Limited slip 8.8" with 3.55 gears. now for winter will i need a locker? ive done a 2 wheel burnout so im assuming i dont need a locker. any info would be fantastic. i really dont wanna get stuck because of one wheel spinning.

also on a side note when i got stuck on a beach one time i had both tires digging. so maybe im ok?

thanks in advance!
Nate

 

[-Nathan-]

Ill put it this way. I can have one tire on ice, and the other on dry pave, and both will turn no matter what. A locker will always outperform a limited slip. That being said, tires will probably be a bigger factor in winter capability, as well as some additional weight, and driving style.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

Alot of people get in trouble with a locker on ice roads.Its alot different and less controlable if you dont have a past with it than an L/S. You can swap ends in a heartbeat if you even bump the skinny pedal on the right and even the crown or bank of a road can ditch ya. We wont even talk about black ice, yea buddy.

 

[88_Eddie]

neither, save your money and buy a 4x4

 

[LIMA BEAN]

neither, save your money and buy a 4x4

Most junk I see upside down in the ditches and in crashes up here ARE 4x4. And they are either young, stupid or 48ers that have no clue about living this far North. Different world jr.

 

[88_Eddie]

Most junk I see upside down in the ditches and in crashes up here ARE 4x4. And they are either young, stupid or 48ers that have no clue about living this far North. Different world jr.

oh, is snow made of something else up there?

 

[colby450xc]

A limited slip will always be a bit easier to control. A locker is locked when u press the gas. Usually with my limited slip you really have to press the gas to get it to lock up around a turn, the locker will send you sideways at the slightest touch of the gas around a slick turn. For road use a limited slip is better, off road, a locker is best.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

oh, is snow made of something else up there?

Yep our snow is made from the whiskey piss of the finest carhart wearing woman, how else could it snow at MINUS -70 below zero F. Yep NC is not AK bro but your dam sure welcome.

 

[colby450xc]

Yep our snow is made from the whiskey piss of the finest carhart wearing woman, how else could it snow at MINUS -70 below zero F. Yep NC is not AK bro but your dam sure welcome.

Lol, the finest carhart wearing woman.......Hahaha. Sounds like the snow is a lil colder up there, prolly sticks around a bit longer too. I am not old by any means being 22, but the longest I've seen snow stick around here in Missouri was maybe 2 weeks. This last winter is the most snow I have ever experience with 14 or so inches on the ground with multiple storms in a row. I was happy to have a white Christmas of 9" of snow, but my big heavy POS 2wd f-150 did not fare to well. Luckily I have my 4x4 ranger now. I hope it snows at least the same amount this year if not more, Ive never had a 4x4 in snow.

Funny thing is I had to have a 4x4 Ranger pull my fat f-150 ass out of a snow drift at the end of my fiance's grandparent's driveway when leaving. truth be told the drift was up to the rockers and I was the first to leave. It only adds to my love of the Ranger.

 

[LIMA BEAN]

Most times its colder in an arctic desert and extreme danger. Glad you found the humor in it all.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

IMHO, I'd stick with the l/s rear and get some good tires on the truck. I do intend on running a locker on my F-150, but it's also being pressed into plow duty and I don't have a l/s rear in it.

I ran my Ranger around for years with an open rear diff, just ran good tires and weight in the bed. There were times that I had wished for a 4x4 or even a l/s rear in it, but it did alright, all things considered. Very rarely was stuck with it where I needed a tug.

And yes, a locker does handle WAY different than an open or l/s rear in the snow. I've had my choptop out in bad weather before and it makes quite a sight going down the road. I'm guessing it has something to do with being locked front and rear, but it'll "dogtrack" pretty bad going down the road in 4x4 with both front hubs locked in. And it will want to swap ends on an icy patch if you're feeding it gas and don't have the front locked in. Deff interesting to drive in the winter, but it does quite well in bad weather (I can't pull anyone out because it doesn't seem to weigh enough to get a bite, but I never really seem to get stuck either). Two winters ago I had it out in bad weather and was taking it up and down some dirt roads that were covered in hardpack snow an ice - which earned me some dirty looks from guys that had chevy 4x4 pickups and a couple jeep guys that couldn't make the grade. I just thundered along in 4lo with a big grin.

 

[strvger]

i use lockers in both my 4x4's. no problems. and our winters usually run about 5-6 months where ice and snow are a problem.

 

[feellnfroggy]

You answered your own question, when you started slipping both wheels wer grabbing. The LSD will allow you to have minimal wheelspin for turning and driveability, but designed to stop slipping when traction is needed. I have an open diff and even though the snow was more than 4" at any time here inKnoxville, i never got stuck and with 4x4 it was an added advantage. Personal I would keep the LSD and get and selectable locker for the front. Thats where the weight is anyways, its easier to pull yourself out than push.

 

[Jason]

Yep our snow is made from the whiskey piss of the finest carhart wearing woman, how else could it snow at MINUS -70 below zero F. Yep NC is not AK bro but your dam sure welcome.

I have been there, it's still just snow. In fact, I found it easier since you don't deal with melting/refreezing making a nice thick ice layer that more snow falls on top of. My cousin still lives there and he agrees, it's just snow. It snows at -70 everyplace that it hits -70 so I am guessing its not uncommon.

 

[feellnfroggy]

I have been there, it's still just snow. In fact, I found it easier since you don't deal with melting/refreezing making a nice thick ice layer that more snow falls on top of. My cousin still lives there and he agrees, it's just snow. It snows at -70 everyplace that it hits -70 so I am guessing its not uncommon.

This is what I was thinkin. Apparently with the website having gone through 16k members, its not enough to convince people that we read about experiences all across the country and canada. We have a good idea what the snow is like up there compared to our areas and vice versa. Its not a dick measuring contest, we're trying to help the kat find a direction for his truck.



OP, sorry i didnt realize you were 2wd(shoudla read better), so my idea about afront locker.....just ignore that.