I bought an '03 Tundra back in Aug. It has the off-road(TRD), and towing package, 4.7 engine. I didnt do enough homework, because I thought LSD was standard. Spoke to the salesperson I bought from to find that my truck doesnt have LSD, and that it can not be put on(or dealer wont do). They said that mostly Limited Tundras had it.
I love the truck, havcent really been off-roading, and dont really do off-roading per-se, other than logging trails fishing or hunting.
I wouldn't spend the money on it if your happy with it in the snow. I had it installed on mine last year and it took some getting used to on ice and snow. The open diff is MUCH easier to drive in winter. When the one rear wheel spins the other doesn't, this keeps the rear end from sliding out. On mine while cornering on ice when both wheels spins, the rear end of the truck slides over. Its easy to slide out of control. If you haven't experienced problems don't go lookin for em.Will also save you some $$$$.
mike
__________________
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I wouldn't spend the money on it if your happy with it in the snow. I had it installed on mine last year and it took some getting used to on ice and snow. The open diff is MUCH easier to drive in winter. When the one rear wheel spins the other doesn't, this keeps the rear end from sliding out. On mine while cornering on ice when both wheels spins, the rear end of the truck slides over. Its easy to slide out of control. If you haven't experienced problems don't go lookin for em.Will also save you some $$$$.
mike
what does the LSD do exactly ?
Is it just the rear diff?
With LSD, if one wheel slips, does the other on that axle get all power ?
Without LSD, if one slips, does power get cut off to that axle ?
I bought an '03 Tundra back in Aug. It has the off-road(TRD), and towing package, 4.7 engine. I didnt do enough homework, because I thought LSD was standard. Spoke to the salesperson I bought from to find that my truck doesnt have LSD, and that it can not be put on(or dealer wont do). They said that mostly Limited Tundras had it.
I love the truck, havcent really been off-roading, and dont really do off-roading per-se, other than logging trails fishing or hunting.
How neccessary is the LSD ?
In snow etc recently it has no problem at all
My '03 SR5 with TRD and tow package came with LSD, but you're right: It's an add-on ($275 on mine). Here's a link to a discussion about 4wd attributes that has some good info about differentials and how they work, especially towards the end:
My '03 SR5 with TRD and tow package came with LSD, but you're right: It's an add-on ($275 on mine). Here's a link to a discussion about 4wd attributes that has some good info about differentials and how they work, especially towards the end:
IS LSD something that can be added on after ?
How much, and will dealer do it ?
Yes, you can have the dealer install (or D.I.Y.) the TRD/KAZUMA/EATON LSD.
This unit is beefier than the OEM LSD. 3 pin vs 2 pin.
The LSD is second only to a locker for traction.
I had one "dealer installed" in my Tundra and I have one in a box for my T100.
Try this site $229.00 plus s&h.
Good luck.
Thunder Gray Metallic
2002 REGULAR CAB - LONG BED - 4WD - V8 - SR5
TRD / Kazuma LSD made by EATON
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Michelin 8 ply E series radials
JBA headers
Hellwig rear bar
Line-X over the rail
2005 tail lights
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TRD Off-Road front coil springs
Color matched LEER Hi-Top cap
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Tinted Windows
OEM Rubber Bed Mat
OEM All-Weather mats
OEM Towing Package with Remote Transmission Cooler
I dunno. I'm not going to worry that I dont have one. So far this truck has been great in snow
I agree. In fact, I didn't know that my truck had LSD until I read this very thread and went out to look at my window sticker (keep it with my papers in the truck). I've actually read a few things on this forum that made it sound like the LSD hurt snow/ice driving performance. If I am correct, what happens is: On an icy road, when one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin (slip), the LSD (by design) doesn't send more tourque to the slipping wheel, and instead sends some to the non-slipping wheel in an attempt to counteract the traction-less wheel. Problem is that on ice or snow, that extra tourque can cause the non-slipping wheel to lose traction so that now you have two traction-less wheels.
A non-LSD system (I think) would send more tourque to the slipping wheel (thinking that it's making a turn, so needs more power), but none to the non-slipping wheel, meaning that the non-slipping wheel would maintain traction so you could drive out of the bad spot.
It makes sense if you think about it. An LSD would be great in 4wd situations where it's dry, because the extra torque to the wheel with traction would help. But in the snow and ice, I think it would be a detriment.
I agree. In fact, I didn't know that my truck had LSD until I read this very thread and went out to look at my window sticker (keep it with my papers in the truck). I've actually read a few things on this forum that made it sound like the LSD hurt snow/ice driving performance. If I am correct, what happens is: On an icy road, when one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin (slip), the LSD (by design) doesn't send more tourque to the slipping wheel, and instead sends some to the non-slipping wheel in an attempt to counteract the traction-less wheel. Problem is that on ice or snow, that extra tourque can cause the non-slipping wheel to lose traction so that now you have two traction-less wheels.
A non-LSD system (I think) would send more tourque to the slipping wheel (thinking that it's making a turn, so needs more power), but none to the non-slipping wheel, meaning that the non-slipping wheel would maintain traction so you could drive out of the bad spot.
It makes sense if you think about it. An LSD would be great in 4wd situations where it's dry, because the extra torque to the wheel with traction would help. But in the snow and ice, I think it would be a detriment.
Any verification out there?
There are tradeoffs with Limited Slip or positraction diffs in snow/ice and wet driving conditions that the driver needs to be aware of.
__________________ ~Glenn~
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I agree. In fact, I didn't know that my truck had LSD until I read this very thread and went out to look at my window sticker (keep it with my papers in the truck). I've actually read a few things on this forum that made it sound like the LSD hurt snow/ice driving performance. If I am correct, what happens is: On an icy road, when one drive wheel loses traction and begins to spin (slip), the LSD (by design) doesn't send more tourque to the slipping wheel, and instead sends some to the non-slipping wheel in an attempt to counteract the traction-less wheel. Problem is that on ice or snow, that extra tourque can cause the non-slipping wheel to lose traction so that now you have two traction-less wheels.
A non-LSD system (I think) would send more tourque to the slipping wheel (thinking that it's making a turn, so needs more power), but none to the non-slipping wheel, meaning that the non-slipping wheel would maintain traction so you could drive out of the bad spot.
It makes sense if you think about it. An LSD would be great in 4wd situations where it's dry, because the extra torque to the wheel with traction would help. But in the snow and ice, I think it would be a detriment.
Any verification out there?
LSD **can** be a detriment when both rear wheels are on packed snow or solid ice because they both will tend to spin, hence little lateral control (rear of the truck will slideways). I emphasize the packed snow or solid ice part because in deeper unpacked snow (where the tires will be in ruts and will have some resistance to sideways movement), having torque on both rear wheels (even if both are somewhat spinning) will often be enough to get you going.
Similarly if the ice isn't solid...for instance is only under the curb side tires on the side of the street or road....then the LSD will transfer torque to the side that's setting on dry ground (or at least less slippery) ground. It's fairly common to have intermittant ice in each tire track on a highway or have one side only on ice (like trying to pull out of a parallel parking space)...in these situations limited slip really shines.
There are many different kinds of snow conditions (e.g. cold, dry, wet, packed, loose/fluffy, dense/drifted, crusted over loose, etc.) and even several different kinds of ice conditions (e.g. cold, wet, black, etc.). A little known fact is that ice (and packed snow) gets stickier (has higher friction) the colder it gets...for instance, an icy road at -40 degrees is actually not very slippery at all. So it's real hard to make blanket statements like LSD is always good, or LSD is always bad when you're dealing with icy or snow covered roads.
All things considered, as a person who lives in a semi-snowy region...and who regularly ventures into the very snowy Colorado mountains...I am very glad my truck has both 4WD and a LSD on the rear axle. When I bought my Tundra back in October, I would only look at those which had both...and, to my happiness, all the trucks at my region's dealers did indeed have both.
Clearer now?
__________________ Ray
Natural White '03 Access Cab V8 SR5 4X4 with TRD Off Road Suspension, Limited Slip Differential, and Towing Package
Towing & Performance Mods: JBA Headers, Gibson Muffler, 4.30 gears, Michelin LTX M/S Tires, Hellwig Anti-Roll bar, Prodigy Trailer Brake Controller, Autometer Z-Series Transmission Temperature Gauge, Magnefine Transmission Filter
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There's also another way at looking at posi vs open diff - an open differential 4x4 in a very poor traction environment will only guarantee that one wheel on each axle will turn - a posi/LSD will guarantee you that 3 wheels will turn. That third wheel turning more often then not is the difference between getting there on time or getting there late or not at all. I also think that if you find yourself unable to keep your vehicle on the road with your LSD that you'd have the same problem with an open differential. You may feel the rear end "dart" one way or the other occasionally on slick surfaces, but you will have to have the "Luck of the Irish" to lose control of your vehicle due mainly to the LSD as this probably only happens once in 3 lifetimes so the odds are on your side. Lockers will cause a few more "darts" but again, you won't lose control unless you're really into the carburetor and have lost control of your senses. I'll take an LSD over an open differential any day of the week and I'll take selectable lockers over the LSD any day of the week, but that's me.
I just purchased my LSD for my Tundra V6 2WD, I lived in California, don't really have to worry too much for icy roads, except, maybe out in the high mountains in the winter. I paid a good price for my LSD, how about in the wet/dry/little dirt/rocks situation?
limited slip
I also think that if you find yourself unable to keep your vehicle on the road with your LSD that you'd have the same problem with an open differential. You may feel the rear end "dart" one way or the other occasionally on slick surfaces, but you will have to have the "Luck of the Irish" to lose control of your vehicle due mainly to the LSD as this probably only happens once in 3 lifetimes so the odds are on your side. Lockers will cause a few more "darts" but again, you won't lose control unless you're really into the carburetor and have lost control of your senses. I'll take an LSD over an open differential any day of the week and I'll take selectable lockers over the LSD any day of the week, but that's me. 
Limited Slip Diff
Linear Mode
