[AT] Tractor Hauling pickup

[Steve W.]

Ken Knierim wrote:
> Steve,
>     This vehicle was my tractor hauler for some time but since I got the 
> Cummins-powered rig it's relegated to less pulling duties. On highway 
> usage will be to and from the 4 wheeling areas (hunting or whatever) and 
> whatever snowy and muddy roads throw at it. I've long been a believer in 
> understanding the vehicle limits and staying within them and focusing on 
> how to work with what I have (read: too cheap to buy limited slip 
> axles... learn to drive without them). This hunting trip showed me what 
> new vehicles can do as my hunting buddy took his 2012 Ram diesel down 
> some pretty hairy stuff and it rarely slipped a wheel. Some was due to 
> the traction control, some was tires, some was driver (he's good). I 
> wasn't sure my Blazer could have gone where he took that beast. 
> 
> In short, I'm looking for a slight upgrade over the (worn out) stock 
> axles this half-ton chassis has. I have to rebuild or replace them 
> anyway due to wear and I don't want to splurge for 1 ton axles with 
> lockers (and gears and brakes and rims and tires and springs and...). I 
> can get a set of used axles in way better shape for a couple hundred 
> bucks, put in the gears I'm looking for (around 4.10's for the 33" tires 
> and slow/bumpy terrain) and limited slip if it's not too expensive. I've 
> seen kits with the clutch plate style from $260 to over $600 depending 
> on name/manufacturer and style (with Detroit Lockers and the other top 
> shelf stuff way more expensive) and I'm wondering if there's a real 
> difference or if it's mostly marketing. I'm looking at the Auburn, 
> Richmond Gear and Eaton versions currently and they're $370 to $500. 
> There's a bunch of what look like China built ones for less but I'm 
> hoping to stay away from "guinea pig" status on those. A breakdown 3 
> hours from town would more than pay for the difference.
> 
> I appreciate your insight. 
> 
> Ken in AZ
> 

Modern traction control is a great thing, until the sensors have issues.
When they first shipped the Prius out they discovered that you had to 
allow for some wheel slip, the initial programming on them was so tight 
that you literally couldn't move them on a slick sloped area. As soon as 
a tire slipped the TC would clamp the brakes on. Sort of embarrassing if 
you can't even park your new car in the driveway!

Since you are not looking for a daily driver set up you could go with a 
true locker for the rear. There are a few out there. I'm not a big fan 
of the mini units that replace the spider gears in a stock open unit as 
they are not as strong as a purpose built housing, but they work.


-- 
Steve W.