4wd maintenance?

Yes, the individual axle open differentials can adjust for speed differential but not when they are being forced to drive at the same speed by an engaged 4WD transfer case.

These links might help you understand.

http://www.4x4abc.com/4WD101/def_turnpart.html
https://www.freeasestudyguides.com/drivetrain-windup.html

 

I mean think about what you just typed. If this were true we would have no need for lockers.

 

No. The individual axles are being driven at the same speed by the transfer case. The axle differentials transfer the power to the wheels in unequal ratios based off traction. The axle differential lockers force the wheels to turn at the same speed. A transfer case (or locked center diff) only forces the axles to turn the same rate.

Read the links I posted.

 

This is what I've been saying.

For windup to occur, you ultimately have to have the wheels all mechancially forced to turn at the same speed. Because the axles will rotate the same speed in nominal traction and the open diffs will allow the wheels to rotate independently and not transfer wind back down the driveshaft, then it doesn't matter if you turn in 4Hi with both axle diffs open, which is the point I initially made

 

If you think it will work like that then put your truck in 4HI, lock your wheel to the right or left and try to do tight turns on pavement.

 

All four wheel rotate at different rates when turning. There are videos to show this.

The front and rear driveshafts ALSO rotate at different speeds, in a turn, so in 4WD you either need to be on soft surfaces (so the different rotations just slip on the dirt/ snow) OR you add a center differential (AWD vehicles and FULL-TIME 4WD vehicles have) so the two driveshafts are independent and there is no need for wet or loose surfaces for the tires to slip on. There is like a 60/40 power split on AWD vehicles.

Locking the center diff (on a AWD/ FULL-TIME 4WD) or PART TIME 4WD give pure 50/50 power split, which is better off road. There is a binding in turns only on dry, hard surfaces. The two tires on each axle are still turning independently to allow improved turning.

Locking the rear or front differential, or both if equipped, will greatly improve traction and climbing because this prevents the one tire per axle that can spinning if there is no traction under it. Power between the two tires is 50/50 when the diff is locked.

The A-TRAC/ Multi-Terrain traction systems can simulate locked differentials for traction but still allow for easier steering.