Geting stuck in your own driveway

[PAExplorerXLT]

With the neighbor watching , I had to endure the embarrassment of getting stuck in my own driveway in a 4WD vehicle no less. I opened the door to look and noticed the driver side wheels were stationary. I couldn’t see what was happening on the other side. I played with the low and hi 4wd switch but it made no difference. Why aren’t ALL 4 wheels turning? Am I finally experiencing the shortcoming of AWD.

 

[RKH58]

If you have a V6 '98 you don't have AWD as it was only available in V8 models.
Sounds like you have 4WD with open differentials, power goes to wheels with least resistance. If your passenger side wheels were spinning that's why your drivers side wheels weren't turning. 4WD doesn't always = not getting stuck.

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

Trnsferring power to the wheels that are slipping seems like the worst idea. Shouldn't it be just the opposite? Btw, it says AWD right on the dash.

 

[SoNic67]

With the neighbor watching , I had to endure the embarrassment of getting stuck in my own driveway in a 4WD vehicle no less. I opened the door to look and noticed the driver side wheels were stationary. I couldn’t see what was happening on the other side. I played with the low and hi 4wd switch but it made no difference. Why aren’t ALL 4 wheels turning? Am I finally experiencing the shortcoming of AWD.

You just found out that 4x4, besides the fact that is a a glorified 2WD... with open rear differential is worthless.
Sorry.

The split road ice hill test is one of the important ones:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LFJI0tLMVpI

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

I think it just says Auto

 

[SoNic67]

I think it just says Auto

AWD does not have any buttons on dash because it is always engaged.

 

[PAExplorerXLT]

You just found out that 4x4, besides the fact that is a a glorified 2WD... with open rear differential is worthless.
Sorry.

I found my self in a similar situation in my 4WD(?)2008 Dodge Dakota. The right front wheel and the left rear wheel were spinning but at least they were on opposite sides. It still didn’t get me out. What do you have to have to lock all 4 wheels?

 

[ZWilson07]

I found my self in a similar situation in my 4WD(?)2008 Dodge Dakota. The right front wheel and the left rear wheel were spinning but at least they were on opposite sides. It still didn’t get me out. What do you have to have to lock all 4 wheels?

the only way to truly lock is some sort of locker front and rear which the front at the very least is going to need to be a selectable one.

Usually the best combinations for a DD/weekend wheeler seem to be a limited slip in the rear and selectable locker up front combo.

I have always had good luck with my 4wd vehicles because I always made sure they at least had a factory LS in the rear. Granted not that they are always the best limited slips around but they are worlds better than factory open. Manufacturers shouldn't even be allowed to make a front and rear open 4x4 in my opinion.

 

[2TimingTom]

Yep. Open diffs. It only gets power to "all wheels" in ideal situations (like on a straight and level surface). With the AWD models, I believe it's possible to not get any power to one axle if they are really jammed up.

4wd with open diffs is basically 2wd- 1 front axle, 1 rear axle. But that's better than 1wd when it's in "2wd".

 

[2TimingTom]

Usually the best combinations for a DD/weekend wheeler seem to be a limited slip in the rear and selectable locker up front combo.

Locking the IFS sounds like a great way to break something. Leave the front alone and install a rear locker or LSD and that should get you out of trouble or get you deeper into trouble- depending on the situation. That's what I'd do if I was IFS still.

 

[ZWilson07]

Locking the IFS sounds like a great way to break something. Leave the front alone and install a rear locker or LSD and that should get you out of trouble or get you deeper into trouble- depending on the situation. That's what I'd do if I was IFS still.

I would select lock the front simply for use in the snow and nasty weather conditions if it was needed especially out here on the farm and in the middle of nowhere where the roads don't get plowed.

I got off work Wed to almost 2 feet of snow on my roads and long driveway. I almost had to lock the front of my Jeep even with limited slip working hard in the rear. There were no people around, no one to pull me out, no family or friends to call at 4am, nothing. So if I got stuck, I was screwed. I agree that running a locked factory ifs hard offroad is just asking to break something but the same could almost be said for doing that with the factory ifs to begin with.

The member asked what was needed to truly lock and that is what I answered as well as I still stick to my opinion that the best traction combo a daily driver/workhorse/weekend wheeler type of vehicle could try to run is usually a selectable locker up front and limited slip in the rear if you got the money to do it. There's quite a difference between that and building an offroad rig that can be driven on the road.

 

[boominXplorer]

I have a torsen limited slip in the front and Yukon grizzly locker for the rear of my ranger. Its very street-able and traction is not an issue.

 

[96eb96]

Limited slip differentials can get dicey around icy curves, especially if you aren't an experienced driver. With an open you always at least have one wheel holding things down. Every new car today comes with traction control, so that helps somewhat with that issue.

 

[SoNic67]

I found my self in a similar situation in my 4WD(?)2008 Dodge Dakota. The right front wheel and the left rear wheel were spinning but at least they were on opposite sides. It still didn’t get me out. What do you have to have to lock all 4 wheels?

AWD.
Limited slip on rear, limited slip on center (between axles). Front is open, but if I have at least one rear tire catching traction, I am moving. Or, if both rears are slipping, the two fronts need to have traction.

Limited slip differentials can get dicey around icy curves, especially if you aren't an experienced driver. With an open you always at least have one wheel holding things down. Every new car today comes with traction control, so that helps somewhat with that issue.

I think you are referring with lockers like GM has. They can engage suddenly and throw you off. With LS I never had issues, I actually enjoy accelerating in curves in those snow days because it was tracking so perfectly.

Traction control is the cheaper answer for cars that don't have real AWD with LS - like all the FWD.