LSD Equipped Gladiators Better Than Rubicon in Snow ?

[Jack D.]

No, the tires being run on Rubi Gladiator was in the original post.

Sahara was on 3 peak AT’s

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[Ohio JKU]

I think the lsd systems are better in the snow, yes they are built on open differential mechanically, but the key is; they have traction control that matches wheel speed and keeps them from spinning, imo very similar to other vehicle awd systems. Workable for off-road but great for winter.

its the electronic control system that uses the antilock break system. Not that a rubicon will get stuck... but i think the "command trac" type system is better in snow/ice.
My .02

 

[JamesWyatt]

No, the tires being run on Rubi Gladiator was in the original post.

Sahara was on 3 peak AT’s

My apologies. I must have mistaken one of your later posts I replied to as the original post.

 

[JD101]

No, but you can buy a vehicle with locking diffs that is LSD when unlocked, the Power Wagon. But I wasn’t very impressed with the LSD performance on mine, at least not with 4H and mud tires in the snow.

I thought this to be true . Figured the lsd portion was probably underwhelming.

 

[FrankFrqnkFrank]

As a couple of folks have mentioned, it’s good to turn off traction control in deep snow

Except for those who do super-serious off-roading, enhanced by Brake-LockDifferential functions isn’t LSD the best set-up?

https://blog.stellantisnorthamerica.com/2008/02/11/jeep-brake-traction-control-explained/

 

[JD101]

That is what the entire video is about...

I watched the video . It's about using the rear locker in 4h not 2h . Which in my truck worked as the video described .

 

[Challenger85]

I’ve lived in Colorado for all of my 36 years. The only vehicle I’ve ever not felt comfortable in, in snow, is my current Ford Transit van. They will go sideways fast if you hit a bump or anything, they’re terrifying. Otherwise; LSD, locker, snow tires, didn’t matter. I drove Camaros for years as a winter DD and never had a problem a little momentum couldn’t get you around.

 

[Jack D.]

Don’t all Jeeps have brake lock? Even my Maverick and old Tacoma have this. It’s pretty common. It’s great as an anchor point but not as good as power transfer.

 

[FrankFrqnkFrank]

Don’t all Jeeps have brake lock? Even my Maverick and old Tacoma have this. It’s pretty common. It’s great as an anchor point but not as good as power transfer.

for sure.

I think the gist of the Stellantis blog was better knowledge of how to deploy the technology

 

[Trailman]

I tried doing the video 4HI locker trick. Didn't work. Anyone know if that was new with the 2021? I seem to remember that the 2020 and 2021 might be different in that way.

Probably time to just get the Taser.

 

[dcmdon]

Hi, so far not real impressed with the Rubi in snow conditions. I deal with ice and hardpack and deep snow daily, all on road. I don't really need the locker as I'm a good enough driver in snow not to get into a position where it's needed.

Just not a confident feel driving this rig in snow. I've added weight to the bed and run Blizzaks but I am wondering if the models with an LSD would be better for the type of snow driving I do?

I'm sure the Rubi is great Off-Road but that's not me so feeling like I picked the wrong version here.

What tires do you have? Tires are more important than ANYTHING else when it comes to snow performance.

MT tires are terrible in the snow. Its not about open tread. Its about sipes. AT tires with the 3 peak rating are better.

Real snow tires are the best. Nokian makes snow tires in Jeep sizes up to 315/70. If yo0u want to stay stock at 285/70, I believe there are a couple of more brands with REAL winter tires.

I'm guessing you have MTs. Because I have Falken ATs and they are very good. I tried to get a set of Nokians for this winter but they were sold out and I was pleasantly surprised by the Falkens.

 

[Trailman]

What tires do you have? Tires are more important than ANYTHING else when it comes to snow performance.

MT tires are terrible in the snow. Its not about open tread. Its about sipes. AT tires with the 3 peak rating are better.

Real snow tires are the best. Nokian makes snow tires in Jeep sizes up to 315/70. If yo0u want to stay stock at 285/70, I believe there are a couple of more brands with REAL winter tires.

I'm guessing you have MTs. Because I have Falken ATs and they are very good. I tried to get a set of Nokians for this winter but they were sold out and I was pleasantly surprised by the Falkens.

OP has Blizzaks. Those are consistently rated among the best snow tires on the market. We have them on my wife's golf and they are definitely awesome.

So, it is not a tire issue. OP doesn't like having an open differential in snow.

 

[dcmdon]

You DO NOT want to lock the axles in the snow unless you are getting unstuck, or at low speeds.

At normal road speeds, locking an axle disables stability conrol. Stability control can save your ass because its capable of doing things that you can not do.

For example, you are driving down the highway and water is pooling around a clogged storm drain. You find yourself with your right tires in 6" of slush. The vehicle is pulling hard to the right and you are on the verge of losing control.

Stability control can and will brake only the left tires to eliminate the yaw and allow you to steer your way out of it.

In short. You don't want locked diffs when driving at road speeds in the snow.

 

[dcmdon]

OP has Blizzaks. Those are consistently rated among the best snow tires on the market. We have them on my wife's golf and they are definitely awesome.

So, it is not a tire issue. OP doesn't like having an open differential in snow.

Well that's crazy. My wife's Volvo has 4 Michelin snows and is a beast. All with open diffs.

His truck should be even better because of the ground clearance.

I can't imagine a Jeep on Blizzaks not being exceptional in the snow.

 

[dcmdon]

Open diff in deep snow will just send power to the wheel with least traction, locked or lsd IMO is better in deep snow.

You are thinking wrong here. The issue as described by the OP isn't getting stuck. Its stability while traveling at normal road speeds in the snow. An open diff is going to allow the most stability precisely because it can't put more torque to one wheel than it can the other. This reduces yawing tendency if the drive wheels have different traction.

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