Traction aid in the front axle or not?

[PrairieDrifter]

the point about driving in 4wd in curves and roads is a good point because two LOCKED fronts would not like the behavior of shift on the fly, turned wheel and i could see it tending to try and deviate you from your path/arc becuase of the nature of it.

But most the t cases arent meant to go that fast in these trucks. iirc the max speed was intended to be 55 mph in 4hi on the later 208/241 or whatever

Yep that's my thoughts. Seems like it would push the front end everywhere in turns on slick roads.

And yeah I only keep my hubs locked in, in town, if I need them. Unless extreme weather. I never go above 45 with them locked.

 

[AuroraGirl]

Yep that's my thoughts. Seems like it would push the front end everywhere in turns on slick roads.

And yeah I only keep my hubs locked in, in town, if I need them. Unless extreme weather. I never go above 45 with them locked.

My np261 is comfortable going 60-70mph on the freeway in 4wd, and my truck has a G80 14 bolt (gmt800) with open front, ive defintiely noticed that the open front has saved my ass a lot because the g80 (bless its heart) is good but when you lose traction from something like your suspension travel shifting the weight forward , g80 activates quick. if you were in a slight curve and it kicks in, youre now suddenly kicking out right under most circumstances, or left if youre banking right because it goes from guiding you forward to suddenly launching you on a vector starting wherever the g80 engages was poiniting at minus a few degress left of that vector path lol... .hopefully youve understood what im saying?

That front axle being present and engaged tho means that the rear is less likely to kick out in the first place and that now the truck is being pulled forward, and it keeps the truck pointed straight as an arrow with very predictable control. i also know how 4wd is without g80 and an open front, and it makes me appreciate having g80 on a 4wd now more than i thought i would.


G80 on a 2wd id advise to keep snow tires on it for winter and weight because the the danger of it engaging especially without front pulling are too great and its harder to anticipate being its fairly quick to engagee when traction is lost and harder to correct when it wants to dart out
Add worn sloppy steering and yikes

 

[Zelph]

lol no it's not the flattest state at all. East side of the river, that half is pretty flat, but the west half is all rolling prairie, badlands, buttes, hills are endless, plenty of steep grades. I really can't think of anywhere that's even a little flat for any amount of good distance on the west side. Very few dead straight roads for any distance. I'm on the west side of the river.

I stated a selectable locker is the best option. Pulling with both front wheels is definitely a pro, about the only one for his type of use. But definitely not necessary. Daily my burban year round, in one of the harshest states in the country. Hardly ever need four wheel drive with good tires and driving skill. It's not a safety concern in the slightest.

I've never once threw it in 4wd when I needed and thought I needed any more than a rear posi/locker, other than a selectable front locker(for wheeling, not really on road). You lock the front in and it pulls? Never had an ass end trying to come around because I don't have a posi upfront issue? Manufacturers never did it, for any extent of time anyways. It's a non issue really. All you gain is two front wheels spinning all the time.

I just don't think a posi upfront would work out good on slippery curvy roads and turns with the hubs locked, maybe not so bad with 4 wheel locked in. But if I'm expecting to need 4 wheel I want to lock the hubs and leave them locked, but not be in 4 wheel the whole time, which I believe would be an issue. Wheeling is a different story. But he said he's only going to do a little bit of wheeling.

The ones who said they worked good havent driven them in icy snowy conditions or on slick roads with the hubs locked in. Most of my statements are based on slick road driving.

I've been driving in snow my whole life lol. I've got more snow miles than most people have in regular miles. Never crashed once. Don't drive like a grandpa neither. Pulled many many people out, never been stuck. "Oh well you just ain't trying" say that to my face and get in my truck then

According to google N Dakota is pretty flat.

Florida is widely considered the flattest U.S. state, followed closely by Illinois, North Dakota, Louisiana, and Minnesota, according to studies measuring land elevation differences, with coastal plains and large river basins contributing to their flatness.While Kansas is famously flat in parts, Florida stands out due to its very low high point (Britton Hill at 345 ft) and extensive flat terrain.

As for saying they work good in snow and haven’t driven it in snow, lol
Are you really trying to tell me that my experiences deceive me?

According to google,

Nevada: Has the most prominent peaks outside of Alaska, with numerous ranges.

North Dakota's average annual snowfall varies by location but generally falls between 30 to 50 inches, with figures like 37 inches (statewide average), 48.4 inches (Grand Forks), and 49 inches (Bismarck) reported, though it can snow significantly more during heavy winter storms. Snowfall is concentrated in winter, with many days seeing light, fluffy snow that blows around due to wind

Incline Village gets significant snow, with averages around
135 to 300+ inchesannually, depending on the source and specific location within the area, with nearby Diamond Peak ski resort seeing averages near 209 inches but with highs over 400 inches in some years, highlighting the variability but consistently snowy conditions for this Lake Tahoe community.

So yeah, I must not have any snow driving experience in a short wheel base K5 with a trutrac up front.

 

[AuroraGirl]

i consider ND pretty flat but im comparing Minot ND and the path from it to the border with minnesota and i consider minnesota pretty flat because i live in northern wisconsin which is very notoriously hilly, the fox valley is in love with hills and 75-80 mph speed limit my f150 couldnt keep up with when pulling load up hills so often

 

[AuroraGirl]

According to google N Dakota is pretty flat.

Florida is widely considered the flattest U.S. state, followed closely by Illinois, North Dakota, Louisiana, and Minnesota, according to studies measuring land elevation differences, with coastal plains and large river basins contributing to their flatness.While Kansas is famously flat in parts, Florida stands out due to its very low high point (Britton Hill at 345 ft) and extensive flat terrain.

As for saying they work good in snow and haven’t driven it in snow, lol
Are you really trying to tell me that my experiences deceive me?

According to google,

Nevada: Has the most prominent peaks outside of Alaska, with numerous ranges.

North Dakota's average annual snowfall varies by location but generally falls between 30 to 50 inches, with figures like 37 inches (statewide average), 48.4 inches (Grand Forks), and 49 inches (Bismarck) reported, though it can snow significantly more during heavy winter storms. Snowfall is concentrated in winter, with many days seeing light, fluffy snow that blows around due to wind

Incline Village gets significant snow, with averages around
135 to 300+ inchesannually, depending on the source and specific location within the area, with nearby Diamond Peak ski resort seeing averages near 209 inches but with highs over 400 inches in some years, highlighting the variability but consistently snowy conditions for this Lake Tahoe community.

So yeah, I must not have any snow driving experience in a short wheel base K5 with a trutrac up front.

id almost think a short wheel base would suffer less from what im describing earlier but thats just an impression, ive not looked into it. but are you talking about a np241 and what kind of tires, and any weight in the back normally? Any lift?

 

[Turbo4whl]

So yeah, I must not have any snow driving experience in a short wheel base K5 with a trutrac up front.

I'll bet that TruTrac works real fine up front! Not a locking axle, just puts the torque to the wheel with the best traction.

For those that don't know the TruTrac is a Gleason torsion design. The government has been using them for over 50 years. The medium duty trucks I work on have them too. They have 3 sets of spiral cut gears, not 2 sets.

 

[Rustisbest]

"I'm the best snow/ice/winter weather driver" will never die

 

[PrairieDrifter]

According to google N Dakota is pretty flat.

Florida is widely considered the flattest U.S. state, followed closely by Illinois, North Dakota, Louisiana, and Minnesota, according to studies measuring land elevation differences, with coastal plains and large river basins contributing to their flatness.While Kansas is famously flat in parts, Florida stands out due to its very low high point (Britton Hill at 345 ft) and extensive flat terrain.

As for saying they work good in snow and haven’t driven it in snow, lol
Are you really trying to tell me that my experiences deceive me?

According to google,

Nevada: Has the most prominent peaks outside of Alaska, with numerous ranges.

North Dakota's average annual snowfall varies by location but generally falls between 30 to 50 inches, with figures like 37 inches (statewide average), 48.4 inches (Grand Forks), and 49 inches (Bismarck) reported, though it can snow significantly more during heavy winter storms. Snowfall is concentrated in winter, with many days seeing light, fluffy snow that blows around due to wind

Incline Village gets significant snow, with averages around
135 to 300+ inchesannually, depending on the source and specific location within the area, with nearby Diamond Peak ski resort seeing averages near 209 inches but with highs over 400 inches in some years, highlighting the variability but consistently snowy conditions for this Lake Tahoe community.

So yeah, I must not have any snow driving experience in a short wheel base K5 with a trutrac up front.

I live here and have my whole life, been around the entire state.

We have an enormous lake and a river in the state, so there's your answer...like I said the east HALF is flat. I live in the WEST half. The badlands, rolling prairies. Nowhere is flat. Even north of the lake isn't flat.

The snow is only light and fluffy the day it falls, after that wind and a couple days it develops a rock hard crust or full wind drifts are rock solid, and is very difficult to navigate. Mountain snow is WAY more forgiving. We get deep drifts. Some of the winter we hover in the 20's and low 30's and it's a constant cycle of moisture falling and freezing and thawing. Then throw in -50F no wind chill.

Mountain roads are actually maintained as well..and if not they close them. Lake Tahoe area is probably the most maintained mountain roads in the country Ours don't get plowed for weeks at times if you're far enough out of town. Also I don't really care what the top of a mountain gets for inches of snow, it doesn't translate to most of the towns built not on a mountain lol. I've been in almost the entire west half of the country.

The defensiveness is kinda wild considering you, not one time in this thread, mentioned that you've driven in snow once in your life. How can I be telling you your experience deceives you when you haven't stated any experience pertinent to the topic..

I don't check peoples profiles before I comment? Newer member I know nothing about, so how would I just know you drive in snow or where you live, especially when you've said absolutely nothing about snow driving experience?

You must be registered for see images attach

So flat! So little snow!!

 

[PrairieDrifter]

i consider ND pretty flat but im comparing Minot ND and the path from it to the border with minnesota and i consider minnesota pretty flat because i live in northern wisconsin which is very notoriously hilly, the fox valley is in love with hills and 75-80 mph speed limit my f150 couldnt keep up with when pulling load up hills so often

Minot isn't super flat but yes from there east it is flat. Everything west is not.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

My np261 is comfortable going 60-70mph on the freeway in 4wd, and my truck has a G80 14 bolt (gmt800) with open front, ive defintiely noticed that the open front has saved my ass a lot because the g80 (bless its heart) is good but when you lose traction from something like your suspension travel shifting the weight forward , g80 activates quick. if you were in a slight curve and it kicks in, youre now suddenly kicking out right under most circumstances, or left if youre banking right because it goes from guiding you forward to suddenly launching you on a vector starting wherever the g80 engages was poiniting at minus a few degress left of that vector path lol... .hopefully youve understood what im saying?

That front axle being present and engaged tho means that the rear is less likely to kick out in the first place and that now the truck is being pulled forward, and it keeps the truck pointed straight as an arrow with very predictable control. i also know how 4wd is without g80 and an open front, and it makes me appreciate having g80 on a 4wd now more than i thought i would.


G80 on a 2wd id advise to keep snow tires on it for winter and weight because the the danger of it engaging especially without front pulling are too great and its harder to anticipate being its fairly quick to engagee when traction is lost and harder to correct when it wants to dart out
Add worn sloppy steering and yikes

Pretty sure our 98 has a g80, definitely know what you're talking about lol. The later model gmt400's weren't as sensitive with the throttle imo and they kick out hard if in the right conditions.

 

[AuroraGirl]

"I'm the best snow/ice/winter weather driver" will never die

i felt that way about every second of my driving life until .02 after my car on jan 1 2019 had a tire blow out and it pulled into the ditch and then jumped a culvert in a driveway and landed and kissed an airbag

Sure the tire wasnt my fault for blowing out but it humbled me either way ;(

 

[idahovette]

Jeez, why isn't Kansas on that list?????

 

[idahovette]

According to google N Dakota is pretty flat.

Florida is widely considered the flattest U.S. state, followed closely by Illinois, North Dakota, Louisiana, and Minnesota, according to studies measuring land elevation differences, with coastal plains and large river basins contributing to their flatness.While Kansas is famously flat in parts, Florida stands out due to its very low high point (Britton Hill at 345 ft) and extensive flat terrain.

As for saying they work good in snow and haven’t driven it in snow, lol
Are you really trying to tell me that my experiences deceive me?

According to google,

Nevada: Has the most prominent peaks outside of Alaska, with numerous ranges.

North Dakota's average annual snowfall varies by location but generally falls between 30 to 50 inches, with figures like 37 inches (statewide average), 48.4 inches (Grand Forks), and 49 inches (Bismarck) reported, though it can snow significantly more during heavy winter storms. Snowfall is concentrated in winter, with many days seeing light, fluffy snow that blows around due to wind

Incline Village gets significant snow, with averages around
135 to 300+ inchesannually, depending on the source and specific location within the area, with nearby Diamond Peak ski resort seeing averages near 209 inches but with highs over 400 inches in some years, highlighting the variability but consistently snowy conditions for this Lake Tahoe community.

So yeah, I must not have any snow driving experience in a short wheel base K5 with a trutrac up front.

this was supposed to be with the above post

 

[Sierra_Grande]

For me, open diff 4x4 is the best for general use. I have had front and rear Detroits in two trucks before. It is a nightmare on icy streets. If the street is of camber it will walk sideways towards the ditch. I sold my F350 that was set up that way. In my Suburban I put an ARB in the back, just waiting for time/money to do one up front.

 

[Sierra_Grande]

I live here and have my whole life, been around the entire state.

We have an enormous lake and a river in the state, so there's your answer...like I said the east HALF is flat. I live in the WEST half. The badlands, rolling prairies. Nowhere is flat. Even north of the lake isn't flat.

The snow is only light and fluffy the day it falls, after that wind and a couple days it develops a rock hard crust or full wind drifts are rock solid, and is very difficult to navigate. Mountain snow is WAY more forgiving. We get deep drifts. Some of the winter we hover in the 20's and low 30's and it's a constant cycle of moisture falling and freezing and thawing. Then throw in -50F no wind chill.

Mountain roads are actually maintained as well..and if not they close them. Lake Tahoe area is probably the most maintained mountain roads in the country Ours don't get plowed for weeks at times if you're far enough out of town. Also I don't really care what the top of a mountain gets for inches of snow, it doesn't translate to most of the towns built not on a mountain lol. I've been in almost the entire west half of the country.

The defensiveness is kinda wild considering you, not one time in this thread, mentioned that you've driven in snow once in your life. How can I be telling you your experience deceives you when you haven't stated any experience pertinent to the topic..

I don't check peoples profiles before I comment? Newer member I know nothing about, so how would I just know you drive in snow or where you live, especially when you've said absolutely nothing about snow driving experience?

You must be registered for see images attach

So flat! So little snow!!

Awesome pic!