Confused by Max Tow and LSD

[jefrac]

I know this has been discussed extensively, but I am still confused...
Bought my Gladiator used with 11K on it. It is a Sport S with max tow. The build date is 8/20 so it might have been when LSD became standard. I looked up the build sheet with my VIN and found this in the options list:

It clearly indicates an LSD (Trac-Lock I would assume). However, when I lift the truck by the differential and spin one wheel, the other one spins the other way. I always thought an LSD would spin both wheels the same direction with that test. Is this not true with the Trac-Loc, or did Jeep just not install it? I would appreciate any clarification from this knowledgeable group.

Sponsored

 

[Riccochet]

An easy way to tell, while the drive axle is off the ground, is to secure one wheel to keep it from spinning. The other wheel should have some resistance when you spin it. This is due to the clutches of the LSD. If it spins freely then it's an open diff.

The reason they spin in opposite directions is because there is no input from the pinion gear, so the carrier is just rotating around it. Due to the gearing they spin opposite each other.

 

[Alans17]

Unless you have a lift to safely put it on and some free time on your hands, I’d just trust the build sheet and say you have an LSD.

 

[jefrac]

An easy way to tell, while the drive axle is off the ground, is to secure one wheel to keep it from spinning. The other wheel should have some resistance when you spin it. This is due to the clutches of the LSD. If it spins freely then it's an open diff.

The reason they spin in opposite directions is because there is no input from the pinion gear, so the carrier is just rotating around it. Due to the gearing they spin opposite each other.

Ah, makes sense. Yes, when I do it that way the unsecured wheel does not want to turn at all. So, clutch pack is adding resistance.

Thanks for the insight!

Sponsored