Driving on Pavement

[luk8272]

I don't do this but am curious as of to why.
Back in the day we had vehicles with spools and posi rears that were almost always locked due to changing spring and clutches. Why is it so dangerious to drive today with your rear locked and not above 5mph?
I know the idea as I am mechanically inclined and know what the book says. I have a 72 chevelle with over 600hp, my rear end is worked over very much so, I baby her on turns to guarantee not to harm anything but still drive everyday on the streets. Is there a difference in the rear ends. Basically they are the same as much as I can tell. Thanks just curious.
It is my opinion that you can drive with your rear locked as long as you are mindfull. Especially in a straight line.

[-TRDMAN-]

Maybe cas alot of people don't know how to drive these days??? just a thought!

[Radelix]

I think the reason is that you have 2 drive wheels that are locked at one speed hence they scrub in turns. And when you take a tight turn it will tend to want to push the car straight since neither wheel will want to give up its traction. Not to mention it puts a lot of stress on your axle which could then unwind in a very unkind way

[luk8272]

Originally Posted by Radelix

I think the reason is that you have 2 drive wheels that are locked at one speed hence they scrub in turns. And when you take a tight turn it will tend to want to push the car straight since neither wheel will want to give up its traction. Not to mention it puts a lot of stress on your axle which could then unwind in a very unkind way

That's the same as it has been since vehicles have come out. Why are they telling us not to do it now but older vehicles are still rolling around without any troubles? Also why do they tell you not to go over 5mph? I understand the philosophy, but don't have the answers.

You are absolutely correct on what you have said.

[P. Bauer]

a posi rear end will still allow some slippage due to the clutches and gear oil. The locker in the TRD slides a pin through make the rear axle truly solid, no slippage (except for the tires hopping).

[-TRDMAN-]

Bauer are we related??? haha

[Radelix]

Well I think the answer to that is that most people are used to an open rear end and any difference on that would cause problems. If you can drive with an LSD or a locked rear end go for it. The not going over 5mph is a safety thing since most people would not know how to handle it. Ever watched a locked rear truck try to park in a snowy lot with someone that cant handle it...well hilarity insues.

Generally spools and such are now for just offroad. Most roads are paved now generally negating the traction benefits of a locker or LSD for most. In addition most cars are not performance minded and dont really need them.

[P. Bauer]

Radelix, I understand what you mean. I completed the locker-mod on my TRD Off-Road and use it all the time in 2WD, and well above 5 mph too. I just make sure to engage/disengage it at lower speeds and not make tight turns.

=D

[P. Bauer]

Originally Posted by -TRDMAN-

Bauer are we related??? haha

I don't know. Bauer is a pretty common name. Me=CA You=PA, don't know if I have family in PA.

[Radelix]

Alright, I guess to answer your other question....people are idiots

[-TRDMAN-]

Originally Posted by P. Bauer

I don't know. Bauer is a pretty common name. Me=CA You=PA, don't know if I have family in PA.

haha im just messin.... alot around here to!!

[luk8272]

Originally Posted by P. Bauer

a posi rear end will still allow some slippage due to the clutches and gear oil. The locker in the TRD slides a pin through make the rear axle truly solid, no slippage (except for the tires hopping).

Buddy has driven a 67 camaro with a spool in it for years no ill affects.
Thus far I have gathered that it is most likely to protect themselves.

[Radelix]

Originally Posted by luk8272

Buddy has driven a 67 camaro with a spool in it for years no ill affects.
Thus far I have gathered that it is most likely to protect themselves.

He probably doesn't drive it like a damn fool either

[luk8272]

No we don't cause we don't wanna fix it. It is a 10 sec car, so she does get used.

[Radelix]

She must be a blast to take down the track. But back to topic, that car is purpose built and is used it specific circumstances. Then again maybe i didn't understand the question

[bvalistic]

just for safety...racers know what's the benefit pro/con of posi diff...regular drivers don't ...

[luk8272]

He drives it every day, makes someting like 11-13mpg. I was just wondering why they act like the rear ends are so fragile. I think we put his rear in around the end of 2001. Hell we go to sonic and the grocery store in it. Way more fun to drive than his silverado. The rear ends just aren't that fragile, unless our trucks are, thats what I wasn't certain of. But at the dealerships they have the members on a peg board and they look pretty damn heavy duty.

[Radelix]

I dont think they are that fragile but its more the flesh and bone thing behind the wheel that they are worried about

[camsbored]

If you know what you're doing then go for it... around here most probably know how to drive and how various diffs work so it's not an issue.

If Mrs. Butterworth buys a Tacoma, on the other hand, Toyota has prevented unnecessary trouble by telling her not to engage the locker on the way to Bingo.

[luk8272]

Originally Posted by camsbored

If you know what you're doing then go for it... around here most probably know how to drive and how various diffs work so it's not an issue.

If Mrs. Butterworth buys a Tacoma, on the other hand, Toyota has prevented unnecessary trouble by telling her not to engage the locker on the way to Bingo.

I like that, overall I was curious to see if others felt the same way or if there was something else that I could learn. The more you know the better prepared you are. I don't even have a locking rear diff.