Can I get a little help with traction?

[Brett F.]

Ok so here's the deal. I bought a 1996 xlt back before Christmas and I ran the vin number and it is supposed to be an open diff.

Well, we received 7.5" of snow last night according to a ruler and my deck railing, and I decided to "play".

Well, when I backed down our inclined driveway and got on it going back up the back end slipped sideways. I thought that odd. So I did it again and sure enough twin rooster tails in the rear view mirror. Hmmm Next I drove out into the field next to the house and put into 4 hi. Gunned it hard and back tires slid sideways again. I found that very odd and got out to look and all 4 tires had dug in and spun.

What's the deal? I thought an open diff would allow one back and one front to spin. No way all 4 and yes I'm 39 and can tell all 4 spun. When the back slid to the side front and back were not tracking together, one spin but 4 trenches.

I am changing diff fluid next week so I'll see if an after marked l/s has been installed.

Anybody have any kind of an explanation to offer?

 

[Dan Whitaker]

Look at the tag on the driver side door. This will tell you if it was open or ls from the factory.

As far as I know the VIN will not tell you this.

 

[Brett F.]

Sorry I did get the number off the door. Not the vin. My mistake.