MichiganDuck Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 My 87 Comanche is 2wd and thats just no bueno when its a one wheel peel in the snow... soo, what are my options for making that rear turn both wheels? I know lockers and what not, but i do need to maintain streetability as it is my winter DD and all year truck... I searched, didnt find anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Cheapest option is a Trac-Lok. This is what the factory used, and they are available aftermarket. Pricier but IMHO better would be a Detroit TrueTrac. It's a gear-driven limited slip that doesn't require special additives for the gear oil. Both are full case differentials, which means they require professional (or advanced amateur) installation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganDuck Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 How hard would it be to find a Trak-lok'd rear axle out of a cherokee? Did they ever come standard in anything? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 ever driven a 2wd posi truck in the snow? it's even worse. :( I suggest a set of snow tires. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganDuck Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 I've only ever driven rear or 4wd trucks in the snow... and it gets moving better, i can handle the rear end kicking out. Preferred, actually ;) I just put new meats on it a couple months ago and i picked them based on their "snow" rating... Not blizzaks, but they are highly rated in snow for an A/T. I definitely prefer LSD rear ends though.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 suit yourself. I prefer a vehicle that doesn't threaten to spin me around at every turn. :D far as I know, trac loks were an option rather than standard with a certain package, so just about any rear axle could have one but few will. :( car-part.com might be helpful in your search. but always triple check that the axle the junkyard has is what you're looking for. being 2wd, this could be a good time to upgrade ratios if possible. :thumbsup: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganDuck Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 Oh come on, that's half the fun =) It's what the skinny pedal and some counter-steering is for! So basically a JY find of a TracLok'd axle is almost going to be slim to none.. the local JY's don't even have any 2.5L jeeps laying around. No gear changes until it gets a 5speed... already feel like I'm winding the poor girl out doing 55..lol Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Incommando Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Yep, trak-loks were an option in the rear axles. You probably have a D35 rear and that may make it tougher. I do not know of a way to tell if an XJ has a track-lok or not short of spinning the axles. The engine doesn't matter and in fact a 4.0 jeep stands a better chance of having the optional diff. Most 2.5's were more low-option. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shelbyluvv Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 Diidn't most ZJs come with a D35 and LSD? I know my 94 Donor had a LSD in the D35. I tossed it though as I refuse to put any money into a D35. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 16, 2012 Share Posted October 16, 2012 ever driven a 2wd posi truck in the snow? it's even worse. :( I suggest a set of snow tires. :thumbsup: Pete, I absolutely have to disagree with you on this. The two Comanches I've had on the road, as well as several Cherokees, have all been 4WD with limited slip diffs -- mostly factory Trac-Lok, but the red '88 MJ has a TrueTrac. I'm in snow country, and with the limited slip rear axle I almost never have to use 4WD. I won't own one that doesn't have limited slip -- got a new Trac-Lok in the box now, waiting to put into the used XJ I picked up for our daughter. Snow tires, or decent all season tires, are a must, of course, but the limited slip in a 2WD will often make the difference between driving home and walking home. (Don't ask me how I know this ... I don't choose to discuss it.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganDuck Posted October 16, 2012 Author Share Posted October 16, 2012 I'm only 20 and have only been driving/pushing boundaries for 4 years with vehicles, but have never had any luck with open diffs.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carl'sMJ Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I had a Trac-Lok put in the D35 on my 2WD MJ some years ago to help during the winters here in SE Michigan. I have been pleased with the upgrade and feel that it has improved the drivability of the truck in the snow. I also took the opportunity to lower the gear ratio to a 3.55... I had it done by Drive Train Specialists in Warren, Michigan. They also have a shop in Ionia... Not sure how far that is from you. I cannot remember the cost for the work, but they did a good job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Had a Posi Trac on a '65 Dodge 1/2 ton. It was all over the road whenever it was slick. 400lbs of dead weight in the bed cured that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete M Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 I used to go out and seek out the unplowed roads in my 2wd open diff 88 with just 30" BFG ATs and a stickshift to make it happen. :dunno: had weight in the back of course, but nothing insane. maybe 150 pounds. never felt like I was lacking for performance. my Dakota was a deathtrap with it's auto and posi and 31" BFG ATs. to each his own, but I prefer open for the rear for its inherent stability and most importantly and from now on: an all-out snow tire. I can beat 4wds off the line with my minivan. :D it's like magic how well those tires work. :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Like magic in snow, just put some all-seasons/terrains back on if you're going anywhere near hot asphalt... ask me how I know. :doh: Modern snow tires are so awesome you don't even need studs unless you're driving the ice roads. Snows on each corner will beat 4x4 any day. (unless that's 4x4 w/ snows!!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimoshel Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Just an observation. A good set of snow tires and a light foot on the gas pedal will outgo any other combo hands down. After every snow storm when I drive down the highway almost all the cars, trucks off the road are 4WD, Every car that is upside down, on it's roof is a SUV. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HOrnbrod Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Very little snowfall here normally, but I'm hoping we get some this year. The new limited slip D44 works mucho bueno on the local mud roads, and would love to try it out in some real snow with the M&S tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganDuck Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 Well, i keep roughly 300lbs of sandbags centered over the rear axle with a wooden cradle i made, and last winter- although on 40% tread blizzaks- the thing wouldnt get going for the life of it. So new tires should help, but i know both wheels spinning will get it going much better.. time to seek out a shop i guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gogmorgo Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 Just to be anal and point it out, an m+s rating has more to do with tread block patterns than actual performance. A dedicated snow/winter tire will far out perform an m+s. That being said, unless you'll be getting down to (or below) 0°F on a regular basis, or deal with a lot of ice, you likely won't notice all that much... Despite all the people up here yelling about m+s not being "real" winter tires. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted October 17, 2012 Share Posted October 17, 2012 my Dakota was a deathtrap with it's auto and posi and 31" BFG ATs. I think we found your problem ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MichiganDuck Posted October 17, 2012 Author Share Posted October 17, 2012 I think we found your problem ... i wouldnt want to deal with an Auto either... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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