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Poor traction with 2WD Silverado

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    • #38204
      rocksrolling
      Participant

      A guy doing some work at my house has a 2010 2WD Silverado. I asked him how he likes it. He told me that he absolutely loves it, except that his work often requires that he drive on dirt or gravel and he gets very poor traction. He indicated that the rear wheels start slipping as soon as he applies any throttle. I’m wondering if he might not have some sort a mechanical or traction control problem. Has anyone else had similar experience?

    • #38439
      wbodyfan
      Participant

      What he’s describing seems to be the nature of rear-wheel drive in general. Powered by a V8 engine, the rear wheels tend to spin out, especially after throttle application from standstill. The spin control will mitigate it, but only after it detects some wheel slip. He could always grab the 4WD version, though.

      For me, driving my ’95 Silverado on gravel is one of the funnest experiences — it slips and slides, but I’m still in control.

      PS: I only do this in safe environments, not construction zones with machinery/equipment and dug holes.

    • #38530
      Lex
      Participant

      most 2WD trucks don’t come with G80 automatic locking diff. but anyone without one could just get a kit and install one which would make whole lot of difference on slippery surfaces

    • #38531
      wbodyfan
      Participant

      @Lex an automatic locking differential, huh. I’m curious as to how that would help him. I’m not utterly familiar with trucks 🙂

    • #38533
      Lex
      Participant

      @wbodyfan
      When wheel start to spin, it’s usually just one wheel with less traction, but in this case it’ll automatically lock to gain that much needed traction.

    • #38534
      Alex Luft
      Keymaster

      @lex well-put, sir. I do think that would help @rocksrolling’s friend.

    • #38652
      RjION
      Participant

      Works the same in front or rear drive. Works the same in cars as it does trucks

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Limited_Slip_Differential

      http://wikicars.org/en/Limited_slip_differential

    • #38655
      Lex
      Participant

      Usually its the rear, G80 is not exactly LSD, I’d prefer a G80 in the rear and e-locker in the front (if its 4WD).

    • #38658
      RjION
      Participant

      While it’s not a LSD and not a positraction it works on the same idea as a LSD in the way it’s not locked at all times. A “locking diff” must either be mechanically, electrically, or air activated. While LSD’s clutches are activated by slippage. Whats better, well that depends on what the axle is in ………… RWD, FWD, 4X4, on road or off road. RockCrwaler or Desert runner.

    • #38808
      Brian_E
      Participant

      I’m a bit late to this discussion, but I have a couple observations.
      The original poster mentioned wheels (plural), so I’m not sure the locking differential would provide the benefit they’re after.
      On my wife’s 2005 Chevy crew cab, it experienced alot of wheel spin when we first bought it. After a while, we put different tires on it: problem solved. If I remember correctly, they are Cooper Discoverer H/T LT. A similar tire from other manufacturers would probably help as well.

    • #38809
      Alex Luft
      Keymaster

      @Brian_E Is that Cooper Discoverer the stock tire from GM or is it the one you put on after the fact?

    • #38811
      Brian_E
      Participant

      That’s one I put on after the fact. It’s not a stock offering from GM that I know of.

    • #38815
      Alex Luft
      Keymaster

      @Brian_E I see. Thanks for the info — it should help @rocksrolling’s friend and those of us experiencing poor traction in our Silverados/Sierras.

    • #39497
      chevtothemax
      Participant

      who would want to stop spinning on gravel. i have a ’94 gmc and sliding on the backroads is my favourite pastime gravel or snow. your friend probably just needs new tires. ps. im puttin a 383 stroker crate engine in mine right now it just has the 350

    • #39529
      Z15
      Participant

      Also, 2 wd truck are light in the rear. Tell him to put a couple hundred lbs in box and traction will improve. G80 is worth having. Having driven trucks with and without, I would not buy a truck without it ever. The Eaton G80 Locker will lock both wheel when one spins 100 rpm faster than the other. It will not lock up over 20 mph for safety. Most all 4×4 trucks now come with the G80 unless its a stripped down version.

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