General 4wd questions.

Ok, so I've been thinking about the 4wd system in general and have a few questions.
>I know you shouldn't use it on dry pavement, but why? Isn't the front an open diff?

>why dont I ever see any lsd/locker upgrade discussions for the front?

>also about dry pavement, what about damp pavement? Not wet or when raining. It
Snowed here and its patchy. Wet, damp, snow packed, and dry all over the place. I
just used 4wd when I went over snowy parts then turned it back off.

>I hear about different awd center diffusion cars like the EVO and WRX, but I'm. guessing a transfer case is different? 50/50 front rear split always?

Mine is an open diff rear, and I've been stuck before but it was my own fault. I found it doesnt like to be up to the axles in mud. Who knew. Other than that it's worked fine. I'm just being curious.

 

While it's an open front there's still a direct connection between the front and rear that can cause binding.

I'm not even sure there's an lsd or locker for the front.

Damp is slightly better than dry and if it's a straight stretch of road it's fine. Otherwise no harm in shifting in and out.

These transfer cases are indeed a 50/50 split, no differential in there.

 

Not sure about the first gens, but I have front and rear arb lockers on my 2015. I rarely use the front. I used it in some unexpected sand on a trail in Moab. Probably didn’t need it, but the truck went through it way easier when I activated the front as well as the rear. I always make sure when the front is on to only go in a straight line so I don’t bind my front. Don’t have a winch bumper so I figured I would get two sets of maxtraxs and the front and rear locker. Haven’t been stuck since.

 

4hi is more forgiving on turns. 4lo not so much. My 02’ has been tested hard in the early years on sand/peet trails going high speed with lots of bumps and narrow winding tree lined paths.

4lo rarely gets used, but when it does it feels like it has a locker? (compared to 4hi) as there is no backward rolling going over things.

I avoid mud at all costs as its bad for everything on your truck.

She works great in snow.

Most people get stuck due to a series of mistakes leading to axle being buried. There is a trick in getting out of sand that you can youtubes. When bottomed out in sand DO NOT SPIN YOUR TIRES AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. Best thing is to slow spin which allows the sand to build under the tire, thus lifting the frame and allowing forward traction again.

I’m sure there are other tricks for rock climbing etc.

Basically, their are ways around (via driver performance) not having certain devices on your truck. Most of the devices are expensive to add on and our 1st Gen trucks are old and not worth the extra investment. They are pretty solid even being old.

 

I agree with you. Our trucks are really capable stock. It’s always about driver skills and choices in my book. Pick a stupid line while taking on an obstacle on purpose and you’re asking for it. Take it slow and steady and check out an obstacle and path before you take it and usually you’re fine. Almost all of the parts I put on my truck are not a necessity, just wanted them cause I tend to go out by myself sometimes and feel more comfortable with the lockers and extra gear so I make it home ok. For me it’s better to be over prepared than under. Expect the worse, hope for the best.

 

I dont do any off road or trails. If I got a locker it would rarely get used. I wouldnt mind having a trail capable rig, but I live in a wasteland of nothingness. No trails, no rocks, no precipitation for mud bogging, no desert for.....desert things. If I lift it it's for looks. 35s for looks. Sliders for looks. I kinda hate this area. There's a river people play at here but it's full of stupid mf'ers. White trash drunken shit heads. Dont get me wrong, I'm drunken white trash, but not on their level.