LSD Equipped Gladiators Better Than Rubicon in Snow ?

[SquirrelNuts]

I haven't read through all 6 pages... but I'll throw another vote in for Limited Slip. I've had a JKU Sport with LSD and then a Rubicon over the last number of years here in Minnesota and I prefer the Sport with LSD in snow.

It's not a night and day difference, but one situation that always got me was the snow plow mounds at the end of my driveway. I always back into my garage, so I never have a ton of momentum and the Sport with LSD would eat through the snow whereas I'd more often get hung up with the Rubicon and need to pull forward and take a bigger run for it. (for the scientific minded... i had the exact same tires on both JKUs, so it was a fair comparison). General everyday snow/slop/etc driving though... not a drastic difference either way. Both Wranglers were far superior to the 1995 K1500 I had before!

Now I have the JT Sport S, with LSD and the optional transfer case with 4-Auto - I think it's the most versatile setup for all but the most extreme situations. That being said... I wouldn't hesitate getting a Rubicon or Mojave in the future as the differences are negligible for almost all normal/daily driving situations.

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[ilovebikes99]

So you have the Willys and it comes standard with lsd like the JL Wranglers Willy’s. ?

I’m not seeing it on the Canada build site. Only Overland shows the LSD in the build.

Correct. I have the diesel engine though. It may come standard on the diesel..

 

[The Duck of Earl]

I think I know the answer to this (which is at the moment appears to be a no) - but what if you took a Mojave and swapped in a helical LSD into the rear, but then took your factory e-locker and dropped it in the front diff?

If this was done during a re-gear, one would assume the labor charges wouldn't seem to be to much of an upcharge.

 

[seven30]

Zero issues in the Mojave and I feel very planted on the road. Better than any of the Camaros

Lol!!! Got my laugh for the morning.

 

[dcmdon]

Is a LSD better than open diffs in the snow? Well duh.

It depends what you are trying to do.

Get unstuck with a vehicle without a BLD. Yes.

Get unstuck in a vehicle with BLD. Marginally.

Drive down a snowy, slushy road at speeds above 15 mph and want the truck to feel as safe, predictable and planted as possible - NO.


For the win!! Psst - a limited slip is less stable once you are moving because both wheels spin, which means that neither wheel can provide any lateral grip.

It says limited slip in the name, it must be better.

Tell me one way it's better and I'll tell you one way it's worse.

 

[dcmdon]

I think I know the answer to this (which is at the moment appears to be a no) - but what if you took a Mojave and swapped in a helical LSD into the rear, but then took your factory e-locker and dropped it in the front diff?

If this was done during a re-gear, one would assume the labor charges wouldn't seem to be to much of an upcharge.

Nothing expensive needs to be done to any Jeep to make it a beast in the snow.

Most of you aren't even running snow tires. (though the OP is).

Snow tires will make far far far more of a difference than any expensive diff changes. LSD, locked, Torsen, whatever.

My old Subaru STi had the most sophisticated AWD system you could b uy at the time and it was terrifying in the snow on R rated summer tires. On winter tires, it was a beast, limited only by its minimal ground clearance.

 

[Jack D.]

I have ordered an Overland. It will be summer by the time it arrives I’m told.

has both LSD and full time 4WD so with Blizzaks it should be the best configuration for on road snow driving.

 

[Gvsukids]

LSD and Blizzaks what a trip.

I've heard that's what LSD can do. Oh what a night...

 

[seven30]

I've heard that's what LSD can do. Oh what a night...

Nothing like 250624 diffs

 

[Fox940]

Love my lsd! Had lockers on my zr2 and never really needed or used them

How spoiled we are with what the manufacturer offers. All of those old 40's,50's,60's etc. Jeeps that had open diffs and they would go anywhere. I have a 2010 Power Wagon with 4:56 gears, Limited Slip rear diff, and front and rear lockers. I hardly ever use the lockers and when I have used them they have not been much if any a benefit over the LSRD and in 4 wheel drive. For that reason I went with the Max Tow Package because gearing is where it's at. I wanted the lowest factory gears available. I have the limited slip rear diff and can always add something up front if I desire. I'll still be money ahead over buying the Rubicon package.

 

[The Duck of Earl]

Nothing expensive needs to be done to any Jeep to make it a beast in the snow.

I am sure that is true. But ... many (if not most) of the mods people do their jeeps are not truly needed right?

I too have some history with Subarus, and while not the amazing STI drivetrain, aside from Audi they are the best AWD out there in my opinion (again STI aside - RIP, honorable mention to the Acura SH-AWD and the GKN twinster). I certainly wish we could still get true torsen type full-time 4wd like the old NP242 with LSDs front and rear. That would rock.

Also fully agree with you on the snow tires, but, not something I would ever do. If I lived in the great white north like the OP, for sure. Otherwise, for me some 3 peak ATs are good enough and eliminate the hassle of storing a second set of tires and wheels.

My off-the wall idea was just wondering whether it would even be possible to re-purpose the stock rear locker in the front axel? Be nice to maintain the clean factory interior switching and re-use hardware already part of the package.

On a related note, I also wonder how hard it would be to swap in the stock LSD to the rear (possibly from a takeoff or wreck) since it does not seem like any manufacturer has released a helical LSD for the rubi/mojave/max tow axel sizes yet?

 

[chorky]

How spoiled we are with what the manufacturer offers. All of those old 40's,50's,60's etc. Jeeps that had open diffs and they would go anywhere. I have a 2010 Power Wagon with 4:56 gears, Limited Slip rear diff, and front and rear lockers. I hardly ever use the lockers and when I have used them they have not been much if any a benefit over the LSRD and in 4 wheel drive. For that reason I went with the Max Tow Package because gearing is where it's at. I wanted the lowest factory gears available. I have the limited slip rear diff and can always add something up front if I desire. I'll still be money ahead over buying the Rubicon package.

i think the main issue with this is everybody is in such a freaking hurry anymore. Nobody (but me apparently) enjoys the scenary and wants to do 100 miles an hour. I think thats what is pushing the ‘ultimate’ bad weather rig. People being in a hurry instead of just slowing down their lives a little.
that being said I wish my Rubi would have a rear helical lsd with a front locker instead of both being lockers.

 

[willhonkforparts]

There’s some areas that are almost straight ice and some pretty bad hardpack. I have Blizzaks installed but can’t use studded due to restrictions when I need drive into the city.

what’s the best option for adding an lsd ? Would be cheaper than trading in the Rubi likely.

I have a few questions and comments.

Is this your first 4wd vehicle?

Are you using 4wd in these situations or just rwd? To be honest, the way you describe these situations, you should probably be running in 4wd, which will help immensely.
A lsd will help you get moving in low traction situations but once you are rolling (on the street/hwy anyway) the lsd is really not that much of an advantage over an open Differential. In shorter wheelbase rigs, the lsd can actually cause a loss of control in situations where it "locks" up while you are mid-spin and it pushes you in a direction you did not want to go. An open Differential will allow one tire to temporarily lose traction while the vehicle stays straight.

On ice and very hard packed snow, tire chains or at least tire studs may be required. Regardless of how big and badass your rug, the contact patch with the road surface is still quite small.

Speaking of contact patch, airing down your tires a bit a for winter conditions will also help. It allows for a larger contact patch with the road and will also allow your tire tread to squish and move around and help the sipes do their job.

It should go without saying, but lowering your speed during winter conditions is just about the best thing you can do to increase your control of your vehicle.

I could ramble on, but I'll end it with that. There are just so many factors go into safe winter driving, lsd vs open is just a very small part, and really should not be a reason for you to trade in your truck.

 

[Fox940]

i think the main issue with this is everybody is in such a freaking hurry anymore. Nobody (but me apparently) enjoys the scenary and wants to do 100 miles an hour. I think thats what is pushing the ‘ultimate’ bad weather rig. People being in a hurry instead of just slowing down their lives a little.
that being said I wish my Rubi would have a rear helical lsd with a front locker instead of both being lockers.

You are correct Sir. Me, I go slow and enjoy the scenery. I have an old 1979 Ramcharger with rear limited slip, open front diff, and that old girl has been everywhere. It's downfall is 3:23 gears so because of it I've learned that I like low gears. A rear helical LSD with Front Locker would be a great set up. I have a 10 year/100,000 mile warranty on my JT Sport S. When that is up hopefully there will be a TrueTrac set up for our JT's. That will go in the rear and an air locker up front. Until then I'll enjoy my factory LSD as they don't wear out like you hear on the internet.

 

[TheSolarWizard]

Try pulling just a click or two on the ebrake when its real sketchy

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